Smirnoff Vodka No 21

Created in 1864, Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka is now the number one-selling premium vodka brand in the world, and is distributed in over 130 countries. The base ingredient used is grain and Smirnoff 21 is a triple-distilled spirit, produced in a multi-column still and offers excellent value for money, having as it does a light lemon balm, cereal and cedar-y spiciness. A universally recognised vodka, that is ideal for any number of cocktails.

The Smirnoff family is believed to have made their start in Moscow's wine and vodka business during the early 1800's. However, it was in 1864, that Piotr Arsenyevitch Smirnov founded his own vodka distillery achieving huge success on both a national and international scale. By the time of his death in 1898, his family was one of the richest in Russia due to the growing demand for his brand of vodka. Despite the disaster caused by the Russian Revolution, one of Piotr's sons Vladimir decided to continue the family business in Paris where he changed the company name to 'Smirnoff' and then began to try growing the success of the brand in Europe. Over the years, Smirnoff was then also evolving in different parts of the world. It continued to build success but it was when the product began to be marketed as 'white whisky, with not taste, no smell' and this concept seemed to appeal to consumers who did not care for the traditional characteristics of whisky and discovered extra benefits from vodka and this combined with heavy promotion saw another increase in sales. Heublein then bought the French Smirnoff company and by 1954 secured the world rights to the brand and in turn making Smirnoff into the hugely successful global brand that it is today.