By Ian Walker

Artisanal Spirits Co. said Monday that total sales for the first half of the year rose 20% and that the outlook for the second half of the year is positive.

The Edinburgh-based holding company--the principal operating subsidiary of which is the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Ltd.--made total sales for the half year ended June 30 of 7.9 million pounds ($10.9 million), compared with GBP6.6 million for the comparable period in 2020.

U.K. online sales grew 28%, while international sales grew 24%, offsetting a fall in U.K. venue and events sales of 17%.

"While Brexit continues to present logistical challenges for exports to the EU, we are working through these issues," Executive Managing Director David Ridley said.

Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

07-19-21 0312ET