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April 18, 2007
Russian Standard Original Vodka Hits The Market
Having cut the ribbon on a new $60-million distillery in St. Petersburg last fall, Russian Standard Group has lost no time in putting its expanded production capacity (now some 4 million cases) to work. On April 11, the vodka producer launched its Russian Standard Original brand in the U.S. market via a gala affair at the Russian Embassy in Washington DC hosted by Yuri Ushakov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the U.S.
“Russian people can proudly share this vodka with the rest of the world, and its arrival in the U.S. is a great example of our country’s progress in bringing quality consumer goods to international markets,” said the ambassador.
Retailing for roughly $21 per 750-ml. bottle (it’s also available in 50-ml. and 1.75-liter bottles), Russian Standard Original follows the group’s ultra-premium Imperia entry to the U.S. market by roughly a year and a half. Russian Standard signed an exclusive U.S. marketing agreement with Remy Cointreau USA last summer (the vodka firm’s Roust Distribution Co. handles Remy’s Remy Martin Cognac and Piper-Heidsieck Champagne in Russia).
The Russian Standard brand is already a leader in its domestic market’s up-and-coming premium segment, selling more than 1 million cases annually. Led by billionaire entrepreneur Roustam Tariko, the company is now targeting overseas markets, including the U.S., where it’s taking aim at its rivals in a highly competitive vodka market.
The company is currently suing Pernod Ricard in a New York Federal Court for “false advertising” related to the Russian provenance of its Stolichnaya brand. Russian Standard claims Stoli is at least partially produced in neighboring Latvia. In response to Russian Standard's claim, Pernod has said Stolichnaya is truly Russian, as it is distilled and produced in Russia using Russian grain and water. It is then shipped in bulk and bottled in Latvia.
About Russian Standard Corp.:
Russian Standard Corporation is an entrepreneurial-based organization with a proven track record of developing innovative products and services. Russian Standard Corporation was founded in 1992 by the entrepreneur Roustam Tariko, who is currently its chairman. The company is one of the first privately held, billion dollar enterprises to be built by an entrepreneur in post-communist Russia. Its mission, and that of its founder, is to elevate a sense of pride and personal freedom among Russian people and invigorate Russian brands within the global consciousness.
With strong and growing businesses in premium vodka, spirits distribution, banking and insurance, Russian Standard Corporation has developed one of the leading consumer brands in Russia and is now poised for international growth. Russian Standard Vodka is the best-selling premium vodka in the country and has been acknowledged by discerning international audiences as a leading premium liquor. The company’s spirits distribution service, Roust Trading, dominates the Russian marketplace and is the leading importer of premium alcoholic beverages. The company’s consumer finance business, Russian Standard Bank, is a respected pioneer in the banking and insurance sectors and is one of the most successful consumer banks in Russia.
Russian Standard Website: www.russianstandard.com
Source: “Russian Standard Original Rolls Out,” Dan Marsteller, Wine Spectator, April 18, 2007
Posted by fortna at April 18, 2007 01:39 PM
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