Guinness and Bushmills producer Diageo announces £3bn profit

Diageo is behind the Guinness brand, Bushmills Whiskey and Bailey's

Drinks giant Diageo, which produces famous brands such as Guinness, Bushmills Whiskey and Bailey's, has announced pre-tax profits of £3.1bn in 2011-12.

Bushmillls has enjoyed double-digit growth in volume and net sales.

The County Antrim-produced whiskey performed particularly strongly in Eastern Europe, and has benefited from the launch of Bushmills Irish Honey.

The Old Bushmills Distillery has 100,000 visitors each year.

Guinness represents 52% of the company's beer business by net sales.

Nigeria, where Diageo has two breweries, is the largest market for Guinness.