Smirnoff started as a vodka distillery founded in Melbourne, Australia by John Deere. The Smirnoff brand is now distributed in 130 countries and includes flavored vodka and malt beverages. It is now owned by British drinks giant Diageo. Smirnoff vodka is both the best selling vodka and the best selling high-priced distilled spirit in the world as of March 2006.^[1] Vodka bottling machine, Shatskaya Vodka Shatsk, Russia Vodka (Polish: wódka, Russian: водка) is one of the worlds most popular distilled beverages. ... Distillation is a means of separating liquids through differences in their boiling points. ... This article is about the Australian city; the name may also refer to City of Melbourne or Melbourne city centre. ... Malt beverage is in American term for alcoholic and non-alcoholic fermented beverages, in which the primary ingredient is barley, which has been allowed to sprout (malt) slightly before it is processed. ... It has been suggested that Diageo Brands be merged into this article or section. ...

History

Vladimir Smirnov

Piotr Smirnov first founded his vodka distillery in Moscow in the 1860s, under the trading name of PA Smirnoff. He died in 1910 and was succeeded by Vladimir Smirnov. The company flourished and produced more than 4 million cases of vodka per year. There are several notable persons called Vladimir Smirnov, some of whom are: The Bolshevik, member of the Left Opposition; see Vladimir Smirnov The mathematician who lived from 1887 to 1974; see Vladimir Smirnov (mathematician) The fencer killed at the 1982 World Championships; see Vladimir Smirnov (fencer) The mountain climber who...

During the October Revolution, the distillery was confiscated and the family had to flee. Vladimir Smirnov re-established the factory in 1920 in Istanbul. Four years later he moved to Lwów and started to sell the vodka under the contemporary French spelling of the name, "Smirnoff". The new product was a success and by the end of 1930 it was exported to most European countries. An additional distillery was founded in Paris in 1925. For other uses, see October Revolution (disambiguation). ... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ... Motto: Semper fidelis Oblast Lviv Oblast Municipal government City council (Львівська міська рада) Mayor City chairman Lyubomyr Bunyak Area 171,01 km² Population  - city  - urban  - density 808,900 ? 4786/km² Founded City rights 13th century 1353 Latitude Longitude 49°51′ N 24°01′ E Area code +0322 Car plates  ? Twin towns Corning, Freiburg... This article is about the capital of France. ...

In the 1930s Vladimir met Rudolph Kunett, a Russian who had emigrated to America in 1920. The Kunett family had been a supplier of spirits to Smirnoff in Moscow before the Revolution. In 1933 Vladimir sold Kunett the right to begin producing Smirnoff vodka in North America. However, the business in America was not as successful as Kunett had hoped. In 1938 Kunett couldn't afford to pay for the necessary sales licenses, and contacted John Martin, president of Heublein, who agreed to buy the rights to Smirnoff.

Thanks to the introduction of vodka cocktails and successful advertisement campaigns, Smirnoff increased in popularity in both in the US and internationally.

Since the 1990s

During the 1990s one of Piotr Smirnov's descendants started producing Smirnov (Смирновъ in Russian) vodka in Russia, claiming to be "The Only Real Smirnov". After a number of lawsuits Smirnoff successfully claimed back the trademark, whilst in 2006 Diageo tied up a joint venture deal with the Смирновъ company. [1] Smirnov (Russian Смирновъ) can be seen as the Russian version of Piotr Smirnovs Smirnoff vodka. ... It has been suggested that Diageo Brands be merged into this article or section. ...

The Smirnoff company has the naming rights to the Smirnoff Music Centre, a concert amphitheatre in Dallas, Texas. They also sponsor the Smirnoff Underbelly, a major venue at the Edinburgh Fringe. The Smirnoff Music Centre (formerly known as the Starplex Amphitheatre) is an outdoor amphitheatre located in Dallas, Texas that hosts large concerts by well known artists. ... “Dallas” redirects here. ... Maccoinnich 01:39, 19 November 2005 (UTC) . The Smirnoff Underbelly is a venue used only during the span of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (every August). ... A street performer on the Royal Mile, with volunteer (2004). ...

In the late 1990s Smirnoff introduced a series of new products onto the UK and later the European and North American market, which quickly became popular among young people, especially within the club scene (See "Alcopops"). There are two different products by the name of Smirnoff Ice. One, sold in the United States and France, is a citrus-flavoured malt beverage (5% ABV) sold in 'Original,' and 'Triple Black.' The other, sold in Europe (excluding France), Latin America, Australia and Canada, is a premixed vodka drink (4.7% (7% in Canada and Australia)o ABV). For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... // This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Alcopop is a term coined by the popular media of the United Kingdom to describe alcoholic soft drinks. In the alcohol industry they are known as RTDs (ready to drink) or FABs (Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages). ... Malt beverage is in American term for alcoholic and non-alcoholic fermented beverages, in which the primary ingredient is barley, which has been allowed to sprout (malt) slightly before it is processed. ... Alcohol by volume (ABV) is an indication of how much alcohol (expressed as a percentage) is included in an alcoholic beverage. ... Alcohol by volume (ABV) is an indication of how much alcohol (expressed as a percentage) is included in an alcoholic beverage. ...

In recent years, Smirnoff has launched many other malt beverage lines. Smirnoff Ice Twisted was a spin-off of the American Smirnoff Ice that featured flavors such as Mandarin Orange and Green Apple. Confusion in branding between Smirnoff Twist Vodka and Smirnoff Twisted Malt Beverage resulted in the decision to drop the "Twisted" from the flavored line of Smirnoff Ice. Current flavors include Watermelon, Wild Grape, Pomegranate Fusion, Arctic Berry (Blueberry), Green Apple Bite and Raspberry Burst. Malt beverage is in American term for alcoholic and non-alcoholic fermented beverages, in which the primary ingredient is barley, which has been allowed to sprout (malt) slightly before it is processed. ...

The next line of Smirnoff's malt beverages to hit shelves was their "Raw Teas" in flavors like Peach and Raspberry. This product line has been marketed most notably with the "Tea Partay" music video and website. It is similar to the brand Twisted Tea. Tea Partay is the title of a new marketing campaign video and website created by Smirnoff, a company which started as a vodka distillery in Moscow, Russia. ... Twisted Tea Logo. ...

The newest product from Smirnoff is Smirnoff Source, an ultra-premium beer-alternative created with alcohol and spring water released in May of 2007. It is citrus flavored and lightly carbonated with 3.5% ABV. It comes in pint bottles (20oz) only. Despite the lower-alcohol content, one 20oz bottle of Smirnoff Source contains more alcohol than a 12oz bottle of many popular American beers. Source is available in 15 northeastern U.S. states including Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Washington, DC, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Source will also begin appearing in nightclubs in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami.

A line of fruit flavoured vodkas with the "Twist" moniker appended on the end of the name have also been introduced. Flavors include Green Apple, Orange, Cranberry, Raspberry, Citrus (Lemon), Vanilla, Strawberry, Peach, Black Cherry, Watermelon, Lime, Pomegranate, and, most recently, Blueberry.

Smirnoff trialed in the UK and Canada during 2004 a new blend of vodka entitled Smirnoff Penka. Marketing and distribution was handled by The Reserve Brands of Diageo plc. As of 2007 Penka continues to be available in the UK [2]. 2007 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Numbering

• 21 - The Classic Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
• 21 (Norsk) - The Classic Smirnoff Red Label Vodka Cut With Norwegian Berries
• 27 - Smirnoff Silver Label Vodka
• 55 - Smirnoff Black, small batch vodka
• 57 - Smirnoff Blue Label Vodka
• 66 - Smirnoff Ice Rasberry Burst (USA)
• 66 - Smirnoff Twisted V Raspberry
• 71 - Smirnoff Ice Malt Beverage ('spin' in South Africa)
• 72 - Smirnoff Ice Triple Filtered
• 73 - Smirnoff Black Ice Malt Beverage ('storm' in South Africa)
• 75 - Smirnoff Ice Double Black (New Zealand)
• 83 - Smirnoff Ice Wild Grape
• 85 - Smirnoff Twisted Raspberry (Canada)

>It is a common misconception that Smirnoff Red Label Vodka purchased in plastic containers is of lower quality, this is untrue however and both the varieties purchased in glass and plastic containers are numbered the same, at 21. It has been suggested that Premium Packaged Spirits be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Premium Packaged Spirits be merged into this article or section. ...

In popular culture

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items into other sections and removing inappropriate items. (September 2007)

• Smirnoff vodka has been featured in many of the James Bond movies over the last 40 years, beginning with Dr. No, and continuing intermittently through to 2006's Casino Royale. Stolichnaya and Absolut have also made casual appearances and Finlandia vodka was promoted in 2002's Die Another Day. In the original Ian Fleming novels, James Bond actually preferred Polish or Russian vodka, during which time the only brand available in the West would have been Stolichnaya [3]. He is also known to have even drunk Wolfschmidt on one occasion.
• Smirnoff Ice is mentioned in the Arctic Monkeys song "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured" off the album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.
• Smirnoff Ice is mentioned in the Jamie T song "Alicia Quays" off the album Panic Prevention.
• Smirnoff Ice is regularly consumed in the movie Evil Alien Conquerors.
• In the 2006 hollywood movie "Beerfest", German characters make fun of US characters by telling them "Go home to your strip malls and drink your Zimas and Smirnoff Ice"
• Smirnoff has become a very popular beverage among college students, and often is served at parties along with Bud Light, though never combined.

Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Flemings image of James Bond; commissioned to aid the Daily Express comic strip artists. ... Dr. No is a 1962 spy film. ... Casino Royale (2006) is the 21st film in the James Bond series and the first to star Daniel Craig as MI6 agent James Bond. ... An early Stolichnaya promotional image. ... Absolut Vodka 750 mL bottle Absolut Vodka is a Swedish brand of vodka, owned by V&S Group, and produced at their facilities near Åhus, Scania in southern Sweden. ... Finlandia Vodka, 750 ml bottle. ... Die Another Day is a 2002 spy film. ... Ian Lancaster Fleming (May 28, 1908 – August 12, 1964) was a British author, journalist and Second World War Navy Commander. ... Arctic Monkeys are a Mercury Prize winning, English indie rock band from High Green, a suburb of Sheffield. ... Whatever People Say I Am, Thats What Im Not is the debut album by Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys, released on 23 January 2006. ... Jamie Treays (born January 8, 1986), known by his stage name Jamie T, is a 21-year-old English singer/songwriter from Wimbledon, South London. ... Panic Prevention is the debut album by Wimbledon-born singer-songwriter Jamie T, released in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2007. ... [1] Evil Alien Conquerors is a movie directed by Chris Matheson in 2002, and is a blend of science-fiction and comedy. ... Beerfest is a beer-themed comedy film by the comedy group Broken Lizard released 2006. ... Anheuser_Busch (NYSE: BUD), the worlds third largest brewing company in volume after InBev and SABMiller, is based in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. The company brews 35 different beers and malt liquors. ...

Smirnov

Smirnov (Russian Смирновъ) can be seen as the Russian version of Piotr Smirnov's Smirnoff vodka. It is made by the Smirnov Trading House, a company owned as part of a joint venture by Russia's A1 / Alfa Group and Diageo, owner of the Smirnoff Brand. The Alfa Group Consortium is one of Russias largest privately owned financial-industrial conglomerates, with interests in oil and gas, commodities trading, commercial and investment banking (Alfa Bank), insurance, retail trade and telecommunications. ... It has been suggested that Diageo Brands be merged into this article or section. ...

The full title of the Smirnov Trading House is The Trading House of the Heirs of the P.A. Smirnov.

Smirnov was launched in 1991 by Boris Smirnov, an offspring of the original producer of the spirit, Piotr Smirnov. After many lawsuits with Smirnoff's parent company, which resulted the Diageo brand being banned in the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Russian brand became a sister product to Smirnoff, as well as Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan and Jose Cuervo in Diageo's portfolio of drinks due to $50 share-offer for 75% of the Russian firm.  Member state  Associate member Headquarters Minsk, Belarus Working language Russian Type Commonwealth Membership 11 member states 1 associate member Leaders  -  Executive Secretary Viktor Yanukovych Establishment December 21, 1991 Website http://cis. ... Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced in Kilmarnock, Scotland. ... Captain Morgan, as pictured on the product packaging. ... Jose Cuervo is a brand of tequila produced by The Jose Cuervo Especial brand has the highest sales out of any tequila in the world. ...

See also

• Sea (Smirnoff advert)
• Vodka war in the European Union

Sea is an advertising campaign launched by Diageo in 2007 to promote Smirnoff brand vodka. ... Vodka war refers to heated discussions within the European Union about the definition of which hard liquors may or may not be branded as vodka.[1][2] [3] The countries of the EU Vodka Belt argue that only spirits made exclusively from cereals, potatoes and sugar beet molasses may be...

References

External links

• Smirnoff - Official site
• Newsweek - Vodka Taste Test
• Vodka wars
• Independent - Smirnov joint venture
• CNN Vodka wars