Russian police raid counterfeit Johnnie Walker factory

Russian police have uncovered a factory producing counterfeit alcohol, including fake Johnnie Walker Black Label and other brands.

Life on the Front Line

Kyiv’s bartenders are fighting back against the Russian invasion, as Hamish Smith discovers.

Vodka Takes a Stand

Businesses all over the world have boycotted Russian vodka in a show of solidarity with Ukraine, but what does this mean for the wider vodka market?

Pub dedicated to Hemingway destroyed by Russian shelling in Kharkiv

The Old Hem was completely destroyed and two people were killed by Russian shelling on the Eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Monday, according to reports by the Kharkiv prosecutor's office.

Sweden’s government-owned liquor stores stop selling Russian products

Sweden’s alcohol monopoly, Systembolaget, has removed all Russian-made vodka and other types of Russian alcohol from its shelves with immediate effect, in protest of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Anora suspends all Russian trade and pledges donation to Ukraine

Nordic wine and spirits company Anora has decided to suspend all sales to Russia and donate €50,000 to the Ukrainian Red Cross.

Russian vodka boycotts in US have little impact on war, says expert

An industry expert believes that boycotts on Russian vodka across the US will have little impact on the war due to the divide between ‘control states’ and those under the three tier system.

Putin anti-champagne law sparks controversy

A new law in Russia ordering French champagne to be labelled sparkling wine has caused unrest among producers.

Brands flock to MBS to access Russian market

Global spirits groups and aspiring brands were present at the second annual Moscow Bar Show (MBS) this week to capitalize on Russian bartenders and distributors’ growing interest in international spirits. 

Russia: Label 5 to be distributed by CEDC

La Martiniquaise, the French spirits group, has announced that, Russian Alcohol Group  the Russian subsidiary of CEDC, will be the exclusive distributor of Label 5 scotch whisky in Russia from January. Label 5 claims to be the fast-growing tenth largest worldwide scotch brand.

Russian Standard proposes alliance with CEDC

Russian Standard Corporation has proposed the additional acquisition of nearly 20% of Central European Distribution Corporation’s (CEDC) shares as part of a "strategic alliance". 

Russian Standard buys CEDC share for $25m

Vodka company Russian Standard has purchased a 9.9% share in CEDC (Central European Distribution Corporation) for $25.35 million.

Russian Standard appoints Palatella in the US

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.

SABMiller and Analdolu Efes form strategic alliance

SABMiller, has formed a strategic alliance for Turkey, Russia, the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, former Soviet republics), central Asia and the Middle East with the Turkish brewer, Anadolu Efes.

Russia: Roust and Rémy strengthen ties

Russian Standard vodka owner Roust and Rémy Cointreau have announced the expansion of their partnership in Russia which will include the distribution of additional Rémy Cointreau brands.

Rémy sets the Standard

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.

DI’s Lucy Britner gets the lowdown on vodka from the man in the know

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…

Russian Distiller launches Polugar

Russian Distiller has launched two new ‘bread wines’, Rye Polugar and Rye Malt Polugar.

Russia: Diageo to launch Smirnov Titul

Diageo has announced the launch of super premium vodka Smirnov Titul to the Russian market.

Rye-malt spirit Krivach launches

Russian Distiller has launched Krivach, a malted rye distillate that is said to be the first of its type in Russia for 120 years.

Russian Standard rolls out music promotion

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.

Russian Standard Gold rolls out

Russian Standard has launched Russian Standard Gold into the travel retail market. The company launched the brand at TFWA Asia Pacific in Singapore.

Pernod Ricard and Russian Standard settle Stoli case

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 Gold launches in the UK

Russian Standard is to launch its luxury Russian Standard Gold into the UK market.