Top selling Russian vodka arrives in South Africa

Recognized in its homeland as a benchmark for excellence, the original owes its name and quality to Dmitri Mendeleev's classic formula, commissioned by Tsar Alexander III for optimum balance and purity.

Its combination of traditional wheat taste, from the winter wheat of the Russian steppes and remarkable clarity, from the soft glacial waters of the frozen north, makes it the perfect neat or as a long drink.

An iconic symbol of modern Russian life and dynamism, the bottle design, inspired by the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the heart of Moscow, evokes Russia's imperial past and the role that vodka plays in Russia's traditions.

It is ranked by key sources on the global alcoholic beverage industry such as Impact, Drinks International and IWSR as one of the fastest growing premium spirits brands in the world. Its portfolio dominates the premium segment in Russia with a 60% market share and sales of over 2.1 million cases in 2008 in Russia and more than 65 export markets across Europe, the US and Asia.

Cocktail recipes are available on the website, [[www.russianstandardvodka.com]. The Standard vodka retails from R169 at most major liquor outlets.