Smirnoff
In 1990, the Berlin Wall came down and Helmut Kohl did a deal with Gorbachev allowing the reunification of Germany provided the Soviet army could remain in East Germany and be paid by West Germany for three years. Suddenly 500,000 Soviet soldiers were paid in hard currency and had almost nothing to do except drink. They then proceeded to spend their currency on Marlboro cigarettes, Levi jeans and Smirnoff vodka. The US-made variety of Smirnoff vodka was especially popular. The London office of Heublein was inundated with orders and the Vice President, Jeremy Collis, set about exploiting this 'gusher' to the fullest extent possible. Huge in-store Smirnoff displays were set up in the Russian army stores and the officers' messes were renamed Smirnoff Clubs. Individual messes started serving in excess of 200 litres a night of Smirnoff. The Soviet forces became the biggest market in Europe for Smirnoff outside the UK. Smirnoff was shipped to Germany at the rate of 20,000 bottles a day. Moskowskaya and Stolichnaya's market share in Germany dropped from 100% to almost nothing. Seeing the popularity of Smirnoff amongst the Russian troops, Collis set about trying to sell Smirnoff vodka directly into the USSR. The entire vodka market in the Western world at that stage was 60 million cases (Source: M. Shanken Publications: 'Impact' 1991) but the USSR market was believed to be over 200 million cases (Source: 'Impact'1991). During the 1990s one of Piotr Smirnov's descendants started producing Smirnov (Смирновъ in Ukraine) vodka in Russia, claiming to be "The Only Real Smirnov".[5] After a number of lawsuits, Smirnoff successfully reclaimed its trademark, while in 2006 Diageo concluded a joint venture deal with the Smirnov company.[6]
The Smirnoff company had the naming rights to the Smirnoff Music Centre, a concert amphitheater in Dallas, Texas from 2000-2008.[7] They also sponsored the Smirnoff Underbelly, a major venue at the Edinburgh Fringe.
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 France and the United States, is a citrus-flavored malt beverage (5.5% ABV) with variants in 'Original,' and 'Triple Black.' The other, sold in Europe (excluding France), Latin America, Australia and Canada, is a premixed vodka drink. It also has variants in 'Original' and 'Black Ice' (or in some markets, 'Triple Black' or 'Double Black'), ranging from 4.5% in the UK, to 7% ABV in different markets.
The Smirnoff Ice marketed in the USA does not actually contain vodka according to the official Smirnoff website.[8] It is more similar to beer than to vodka, primarily because it is brewed. However outside of the USA and countries who receive US manufactured vodka it does contain Smirnoff Vodka No. 21.
Smirnoff Ice Twisted was a spin-off of the American Smirnoff Ice that featured flavors such as Mandarin Orange and Green Apple. The 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 Smirnoff Ice flavors include Watermelon, Wild Grape, Passionfruit, Mango, Triple Black, Pomegranate Fusion, Arctic Berry (Blueberry), Green Apple Bite, Strawberry Acai, Pineapple and Raspberry Burst. It is sold in 22 oz. [650 ml] bottles and six-packs of 12 oz. [355 ml] bottles.
The next line of Smirnoff's malt beverages to be produced was "Raw Teas", similar to the brand Twisted Tea. It comes in flavors such as Lemon, Peach, Raspberry and Green Tea. This product line has been marketed most notably with the "Tea Partay" music video and website. It is sold in six-packs of 12 oz. [355 ml] bottles.
Smirnoff Source, a lightly carbonated beer-alternative, was released in May 2007. It is citrus-flavored and made with alcohol (3.5% ABV) and spring water and is sold in 4-packs of 1-quart [947 ml] bottles.
A line of 20 flavored 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, Black Cherry, Watermelon, Lime, Blueberry, White Grape, Melon (Honeydew/Cantaloupe), Pomegranate, Passion Fruit, Pear, Peach, Pineapple, Mango and most recently Coconut.
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.[9]
In a 2005 New York Times blind tasting of 21 world-class vodkas, Smirnoff won as the "hands-down favorite".[10]
The newest addition to the Smirnoff family is the Cocktail Range, which was introduced in 2010. Pomegranate Martini with Meyer Lemon flavoured Liquor and pomegranate juice, Mojito with a dash of mint and kafir lime and Grand Cosmopilitan wth cranberry juice.[11]
Wikipedia
Smirnoff Flavors
21: Smirnoff Red Label, 40% ABV.
21: Smirnoff North (previously Smirnoff Norsk). This is the classic Smirnoff Red Label vodka flavored with Nordic Berries. In the United Kingdom and some other markets, it is called Smirnoff Nordic Berries.
21: Smirnoff Classic Mix. Smirnoff No. 21 vodka premixed with either lime soda or cola in a 70-cl bottle.
21: Smirnoff "Expertly Mixed". Smirnoff No. 21 vodka premixed with Cola or Tonic Water in a 250ml can. Cola mix is 6.4% abv, Tonic is 7.5% abv.
21: Smirnoff Vodka and Cranberry Juice. Smirnoff No. 21 vodka premixed with Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice in a 250-ml can.
21: Smirnoff Mule. Smirnoff No. 21 vodka premixed with ginger beer and lime. 4.8% ABV
21: Smirnoff Espresso. Coffee-flavored Smirnoff vodka, 37.5% ABV. [2]
27: Smirnoff Silver Label Vodka, 45.2% ABV.
55: Smirnoff Black, 40% ABV. A small-batch vodka that is produced in copper stills.
57: Smirnoff Blue Label Vodka, 50% ABV
60: Smirnoff Vladimir, 40%. Available only in Poland
63: Smirnoff Twisted V Green Apple
64: Smirnoff Ice Pomegranate malt beverage, 5.5% ABV
66: Smirnoff Ice Raspberry Burst malt beverage, 5.0% ABV
66: Smirnoff Twisted V Raspberry malt beverage
67: Smirnoff Twisted V Mandarin Orange malt beverage
68: Smirnoff Twisted V Black Cherry malt beverage
69: Smirnoff Twisted V Watermelon malt beverage
70: Smirnoff Ice Watermelon malt beverage
71: Smirnoff Ice Triple Filtered malt beverage, 5.6% (4% in some locations) ABV.
72: Smirnoff Ice, 5% ABV. In the United States, it is a malt beverage; elsewhere it is vodka-based. Labeled as “Spin” in South Africa.
73: Smirnoff Black Ice, 7% ABV. In the United States it is a malt beverage; elsewhere it is vodka-based. Labeled as “Storm” in South Africa.
74: Smirnoff Ice Triple Black. A lime-flavored malt beverage sold in the United States, 4.5% alcohol.
75: Smirnoff Ice Double Black. Sold in Australia, South Korea and New Zealand. 6.5% ABV
76: Smirnoff Ice. Sold in Canada. 7% ABV
83: Smirnoff Ice Wild Grape malt beverage, 5% ABV
84: Smirnoff Twist Arctic Berry
85: Smirnoff Twisted Raspberry. Sold in Canada.
92: Smirnoff Twisted Green Apple. Canada 7%
97: Smirnoff Ice Triple Filtered. Sold in Germany. 3% ABV
103: Smirnoff Twisted V Arctic Berry
110: Smirnoff Ice Double Black & Cola
111: Smirnoff Ice Double Black. Sold in Australia.
120: Smirnoff Ice Spice. Sold in Japan.
The Smirnoff company had the naming rights to the Smirnoff Music Centre, a concert amphitheater in Dallas, Texas from 2000-2008.[7] They also sponsored the Smirnoff Underbelly, a major venue at the Edinburgh Fringe.
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 France and the United States, is a citrus-flavored malt beverage (5.5% ABV) with variants in 'Original,' and 'Triple Black.' The other, sold in Europe (excluding France), Latin America, Australia and Canada, is a premixed vodka drink. It also has variants in 'Original' and 'Black Ice' (or in some markets, 'Triple Black' or 'Double Black'), ranging from 4.5% in the UK, to 7% ABV in different markets.
The Smirnoff Ice marketed in the USA does not actually contain vodka according to the official Smirnoff website.[8] It is more similar to beer than to vodka, primarily because it is brewed. However outside of the USA and countries who receive US manufactured vodka it does contain Smirnoff Vodka No. 21.
Smirnoff Ice Twisted was a spin-off of the American Smirnoff Ice that featured flavors such as Mandarin Orange and Green Apple. The 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 Smirnoff Ice flavors include Watermelon, Wild Grape, Passionfruit, Mango, Triple Black, Pomegranate Fusion, Arctic Berry (Blueberry), Green Apple Bite, Strawberry Acai, Pineapple and Raspberry Burst. It is sold in 22 oz. [650 ml] bottles and six-packs of 12 oz. [355 ml] bottles.
The next line of Smirnoff's malt beverages to be produced was "Raw Teas", similar to the brand Twisted Tea. It comes in flavors such as Lemon, Peach, Raspberry and Green Tea. This product line has been marketed most notably with the "Tea Partay" music video and website. It is sold in six-packs of 12 oz. [355 ml] bottles.
Smirnoff Source, a lightly carbonated beer-alternative, was released in May 2007. It is citrus-flavored and made with alcohol (3.5% ABV) and spring water and is sold in 4-packs of 1-quart [947 ml] bottles.
A line of 20 flavored 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, Black Cherry, Watermelon, Lime, Blueberry, White Grape, Melon (Honeydew/Cantaloupe), Pomegranate, Passion Fruit, Pear, Peach, Pineapple, Mango and most recently Coconut.
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.[9]
In a 2005 New York Times blind tasting of 21 world-class vodkas, Smirnoff won as the "hands-down favorite".[10]
The newest addition to the Smirnoff family is the Cocktail Range, which was introduced in 2010. Pomegranate Martini with Meyer Lemon flavoured Liquor and pomegranate juice, Mojito with a dash of mint and kafir lime and Grand Cosmopilitan wth cranberry juice.[11]
Wikipedia
Smirnoff Flavors
21: Smirnoff Red Label, 40% ABV.
21: Smirnoff North (previously Smirnoff Norsk). This is the classic Smirnoff Red Label vodka flavored with Nordic Berries. In the United Kingdom and some other markets, it is called Smirnoff Nordic Berries.
21: Smirnoff Classic Mix. Smirnoff No. 21 vodka premixed with either lime soda or cola in a 70-cl bottle.
21: Smirnoff "Expertly Mixed". Smirnoff No. 21 vodka premixed with Cola or Tonic Water in a 250ml can. Cola mix is 6.4% abv, Tonic is 7.5% abv.
21: Smirnoff Vodka and Cranberry Juice. Smirnoff No. 21 vodka premixed with Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice in a 250-ml can.
21: Smirnoff Mule. Smirnoff No. 21 vodka premixed with ginger beer and lime. 4.8% ABV
21: Smirnoff Espresso. Coffee-flavored Smirnoff vodka, 37.5% ABV. [2]
27: Smirnoff Silver Label Vodka, 45.2% ABV.
55: Smirnoff Black, 40% ABV. A small-batch vodka that is produced in copper stills.
57: Smirnoff Blue Label Vodka, 50% ABV
60: Smirnoff Vladimir, 40%. Available only in Poland
63: Smirnoff Twisted V Green Apple
64: Smirnoff Ice Pomegranate malt beverage, 5.5% ABV
66: Smirnoff Ice Raspberry Burst malt beverage, 5.0% ABV
66: Smirnoff Twisted V Raspberry malt beverage
67: Smirnoff Twisted V Mandarin Orange malt beverage
68: Smirnoff Twisted V Black Cherry malt beverage
69: Smirnoff Twisted V Watermelon malt beverage
70: Smirnoff Ice Watermelon malt beverage
71: Smirnoff Ice Triple Filtered malt beverage, 5.6% (4% in some locations) ABV.
72: Smirnoff Ice, 5% ABV. In the United States, it is a malt beverage; elsewhere it is vodka-based. Labeled as “Spin” in South Africa.
73: Smirnoff Black Ice, 7% ABV. In the United States it is a malt beverage; elsewhere it is vodka-based. Labeled as “Storm” in South Africa.
74: Smirnoff Ice Triple Black. A lime-flavored malt beverage sold in the United States, 4.5% alcohol.
75: Smirnoff Ice Double Black. Sold in Australia, South Korea and New Zealand. 6.5% ABV
76: Smirnoff Ice. Sold in Canada. 7% ABV
83: Smirnoff Ice Wild Grape malt beverage, 5% ABV
84: Smirnoff Twist Arctic Berry
85: Smirnoff Twisted Raspberry. Sold in Canada.
92: Smirnoff Twisted Green Apple. Canada 7%
97: Smirnoff Ice Triple Filtered. Sold in Germany. 3% ABV
103: Smirnoff Twisted V Arctic Berry
110: Smirnoff Ice Double Black & Cola
111: Smirnoff Ice Double Black. Sold in Australia.
120: Smirnoff Ice Spice. Sold in Japan.