Turnover at Cooley Distillery grew by 13 per cent last year to €15.9 million, but pretax profit fell by a quarter due to increased input costs and a decline in bulk sales.

Sales at the Irish distillery founded in 1987 by chairman John Teeling grew from €14.2 million to €15.9 million last year primarily due to demand from new markets, greater sales of malt and aged blends, and a strong US performance. Teeling said the 13 per cent rise compared to a 10 per cent rise in global whiskey sales.