Conor McGregor has been credited as a key factor in helping Irish whiskey surpass the $1 billion milestone in US sales for the first time.
The UFC star launched his Proper No Twelve whiskey brand this year and the sales of Irish whiskey in America rose by 12 per cent, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.
McGregor sold out six months worth of his whiskey in the States in its first ten days of sales.
While McGregor’s fledgling business continues to grow, Jameson’s sales took a hit as it competes with fresh competition from the MMA fighter’s brand.
Was there ever any doubt I’d turn Whiskey to a Billi?
I turned “human cock fighting” to 4.2.
I’m gonna toast on this fine Thursday this amazing news.
Sláinte to the only true Irish Whiskey we have left, @ProperWhiskey!
Irish owned forever.
Thank you all.
It has been my pleasure. https://t.co/E9RGpRxAC5— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 25, 2019
McGregor reacted to the figures on Twitter, thanking his supporters.
He said: ‘Was there ever any doubt I’d turn Whiskey to a Billi? I turned “human cock fighting” to 4.2[million].
‘I’m gonna toast on this fine Thursday this amazing news. Sláinte to the only true Irish Whiskey we have left, Proper Whiskey!
‘Irish owned forever. Thank you all. It has been my pleasure.’
Since launching his whiskey, McGregor has spent a significant amount of time promoting his brand across America.
The 30-year-old spent St Patrick’s Day pushing his whiskey in Boston, but Jameson remains the best selling Irish whiskey in the US with sales of 7.3 million cases in the 12 months to the end of June 2018.
While McGregor’s whiskey business continues to grow, the Irishman is expected to make his return to fighting in the coming months.
A return to the UFC from a two-year absence was an unhappy one for McGregor as he was defeated by lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
But McGregor is in talks to fight again and UFC president Dana White confirmed he was due to sit down with his biggest star to discuss his future.
