Irish whiskey brand Jameson was again a star performer for Pernod Ricard as the wine and spirits group recorded a near 7 per cent increase in net sales in the three months to the end of September.

Releasing its first-quarter sales figures yesterday, the owner of Jameson producer Irish Distillers said the development of its luxury brands, of which Jameson is one, helped boost group sales to €1.56 billion.

Sales growth across its 15 strategic brands, which include Martell, Havana Club and Mumm, was 9 per cent in volume terms and 16 per cent in value. In value terms, Jameson came only second to Martell with a 24 per cent increase in sales, while sales volumes were up 18 per cent.

The figures, which will be followed by full accounts next month, came in ahead of analyst expectations and were welcomed by the market. Shares in Pernod Ricard rose as much as 3.5 per cent before falling back to close up just over 1 per cent, at €158.70.

Across the entire group, organic sales increased by 12 per cent, excluding acquisitions and currency movements.

While the first-quarter figures were strong, Pernod Ricard yesterday admitted it was being hurt by the decline in the value of the dollar.

For fiscal 2008, it said it expected the US currency's slide to reduce operating profit by as much as €70 million.

Geographically, Asia, and China in particular, performed well, with sales from the regions outside of Europe and America increasing 12.4 per cent to €498 million.

Europe was also a strong market for the group, recording a 10.9 per cent increase in sales.