SALES OF Jameson Irish whiskey grew by 15 per cent in volume and by 18 per cent in value in the year to the end of June, its French parent group Pernod Ricard said yesterday.

The drinks giant said Jameson sold 3.966 million cases for the full year 2011-2012 and would shortly reach the target that has been set of four million cases a year.

In its biggest market, the United States, Jameson increased its sales by 29 per cent in an overall slow-performing premium spirits market. The company said other strong markets were Russia, South Africa, Canada, Australia, France, Ukraine, Germany and travel retail. In Ireland, the company said there continued to be a shift away from consumption in pubs, with on-trade volume of its spirits down 7 per cent.

Commenting on the performance of Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, chairman and chief executive Anna Malmhake said the outlook for the industry in Ireland was “concerning”.

“I would urge the Government not to take any legislative actions regarding event sponsorship which would jeopardise this positive and much-needed stimulus for domestic growth and recovery.”

On a brighter note, Jameson’s visitor centres in Dublin and Cork performed well in the first six months of 2012.

Visitor numbers rose by 13 per cent during the January to June period to 160,500.

As a group, Pernod Ricard increased sales last year by 8 per cent to €8.2 billion while its profit from recurring operations was 9 per cent higher at €2.1 billion.

Pernod Ricard announced yesterday that Alexandre Ricard, who ran Irish Distillers for three years from 2008, will assume the roles of chairman and chief executive in 2015.

Mr Ricard has been appointed deputy chief executive and chief operating officer. He will succeed Pierre Pringuet as chief executive on his retirement in three years.

Last year Mr Ricard was appointed managing director in charge of the group’s distribution network.

Danièle Ricard was appointed yesterday as chairwoman.

These changes followed the sudden death on August 17th of Patrick Ricard, the company’s chairman and an uncle of Alexandre.