One of the most popular vodka brands in the world. The history of this brand began in 1863, from the distillery of P. A. Smirnov. The vodka produced was then called "Smirnov". The enterprise turned out to be extremely successful and profitable. There is evidence that this vodka was preferred even at court.
Before nationalization after the October Revolution, the plant belonged to the Smirnov family. Subsequently, Vladimir Smirnov (son of P. A. Smirnov) launched the production of Smirnoff vodka, first in Poland, and then in Paris. He also gave a license for the production of vodka in the United States. Subsequently, in this country, the rights to the brand were transferred to the Heublein company, which in 1982 was absorbed by the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. In 1987, the rights to the brand were transferred to the British conglomerate Grand Metropolitan.
In 1997, Grand Metropolitan merged with Guinness. The result of this merger is the emergence of Diageo. The latter owns today the rights to the Smirnoff brand.
And in 1992, the Smirnov brand was revived in Russia. This was done by the entrepreneur B. A. Smirnov (great-great-grandson of P. A. Smirnov). However, after a series of litigations and acquisitions, the rights to this brand also went to the same Diageo.
