US-based Rok Stars has appointed Dynamic Group Development Corporation distributor of Oval Vodka in central and South America.
Australia: Stolichnaya has signed a five-year distribution deal with island2island Beverage Company.
US: Beam has expanded its Skinnygirl range to include wine, a range of flavoured vodkas and a Piña Colada.
Travel Retail operator World of Patria International has reached agreement with Chase Distillery to offer its range of spirits and liqueurs.
Although vodka can be mixed with anything and everything, producers in eastern and central Europe prefer the light touch when it comes to cocktails. Patience Gould checks out the action...
English brewer and distiller, Adnams, has added Morello Cherry Liqueur to its range.
First Drinks will be the new UK distributor of CEDC brands Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka and Green Mark - the world's fourth largest vodka.
Pernod Ricard has furthered its line of Absolut Vodka flavours with the launch of Miami and Gräpevine to the US market.
The SPI Group has announced a new distribution agreement with Findlater Wine and Spirit Group to distribute the Stolichnaya vodka portfolio in Ireland.
US consumer goods company Rok Stars has stuck a deal with Castle Trade Services to launch its recently acquired Oval vodka in the UK.
Vodka company Russian Standard has purchased a 9.9% share in CEDC (Central European Distribution Corporation) for $25.35 million.
US: Buffalo Trace has released a vodka that has been distilled 159 times.
Russian Standard Vodka, which claims to be Russia’s number one premium vodka, has announced the appointment of John Palatella as executive vice president of sales & distribution for the US.
US: Polish vodka brand Sobieski is to launch three new flavours in the US. Espresso, Cynamon and Bizon Grass are to be imported and marketed by Imperial Brands.
Drinks group Sazerac has unveiled a line of flavoured vodkas under its Wave brand for the US market.
SPI Group has agreed a new distribution deal with Velier, for the entire Stolichnaya portfolio in Italy.
Nemiroff Company has made its first step into eco-friendly spirits with the launch of Nemiroff Distinct, a vodka flavoured with aloe.
Belvedere has launched a new vodka in partnership with (RED) to raise proceeds for charity.
Absolut Vodka, part of the Pernod Ricard group, has revealed that its annual sales value and volume grew by 6% during the period July 1 2010 to June 30 2011.
Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail (GTR) is attempting to raise awareness of vodka brand Russian Standard, with its new campaign Vodka As It Should Be.
French vodka brand Poliakov has extended its line in the European on-trade to include a ‘red fruit’ liqueur.
Mako Vodka, a nautically themed spirit made using water from “ice-age aquifers” has launched to selected states in the US.
Bacardi Brown Forman Brands has launched a new vodka under the Eristoff brand.
Brown-Forman has acquired the Maximus vodka brand from Altia. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Do you meet the Russian Standard? I recently met Russian Standard vodka founder Roustam Tariko’s college roommate. In fact, he works for the firm, too. Igor Galburt is the company’s global brand ambassador (though it also says on his business card executive VP corporate affairs – very American-sounding) and he came to give us a Russian Standard injection. Are you aware of the how the brand got its name, for example? I’ll tell you…
US: Heaven Hill has launched a liqueur called Hpnotiq Harmonie. The new product is an infusion of French vodka, natural fruits, flowers, and cognac. The mix includes berries, violets and lavender.
Stock Spirits recorded double-digit organic revenue growth and profit growth in 2010.
Swedish vodka brand DQ has re-launched to the UK, following the restructuring of parent company Nordic Spirit.
Diageo has announced the launch of super premium vodka Smirnov Titul to the Russian market.
The Stock Spirits Group has announced double digit organic volume growth with total sales volumes of 162.4 million litres in 2010.
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) is to purchase the global rights for Kauffman vodka.
UK beer brewer Adnams has opened a small-scale distillery, producing vodka, gin and whisky.
Ukrainian vodka producer Nemiroff has started producing its vodka in Belarus. Nemiroff has partnered with Minsk Kristall in Belarus, which is part of national food processing company Belgospischeprom.
US spirits company Proximo has entered into a UK distribution agreement with Marblehead Brand Development.
Ukrainian brand Nemiroff has begun producing vodka in the Republic of Belarus.
The Absolut Company Global Travel Retail threw a swish party in Cannes last night (October 18) to unveil its latest limited edition Absolut vodka.
US: Diageo has launched a Swedish vodka in the US market.
SKyy Spirits, Gruppo Campari’s US-based subsidiary, has unveiled a new global ad campaign entitled Skyy Sexy to market its unflavoured vodka brand Skyy Vodka.
Russia: Moscow is to ban sales of vodka between 10pm and 10am, according to reports.
UK: Russian Standard Vodka has launched an on-pack music promotion. Consumers will have the chance to win free tickets to music gigs as part of the Russian Standard Vodka Originals brand campaign.
US: Diageo has launched two new flavours for its Smirnoff vodka brand – mango and peach.
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has announced that it has decided not to pursue the acquisition of Ukrainian vodka company Nemiroff.
US: Diageo has launched a range of brightly coloured flavoured vodkas called Ursus. The products feature a label that changes from white to blue when chilled in a freezer.
US: Heaven Hill Distilleries has launched the 21st flavour of its Burnett’s flavoured vodka brand.
Russian Standard has launched Russian Standard Gold into the travel retail market. The company launched the brand at TFWA Asia Pacific in Singapore.
Diageo has announced changes to its global marketing department following a review of its structure.
Ketel One vodka has introduced Ketel One Oranje, an orange flavoured vodka.
In honor of the 40th anniversaries of both Earth Day and Finlandia vodka, Finlandia is releasing limited edition charity water bottles. The bottles are to feature designs by Finnish graphic designer Klaus Haapaniemi.
US: Pernod Ricard and Russian Standard Vodka have reached a settlement of claims brought by Russian Standard against Pernod Ricard. According to Pernod Ricard, the dispute revolved mainly around the allegations brought by Russian Standard Vodka and Roust Trading Limited pursuant to which promoting Stolichnaya as "Russian vodka" resulted in false advertising.
Russian Standard is to launch its luxury Russian Standard Gold into the UK market.
There are many different elements to consider when launching a non-alcoholic spirits brand. Aside from creating the liquid, the bottle design and communication are also crucial touchpoints.
