INDIA: UB in Russian distribution talks - report

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 10 July 2006

UB Group is reportedly in talks over a spirits distribution deal in India and Russia with vodka distiller Russian Standard.

UB chairman Dr. Vijay Mallya told India's Economic Times newspaper that negotiations had begun with Russian tycoon Roustam Tariko, the owner of Russian Standard.

"Mr Tariko and me are talking about an alliance. It will be distribution led with his company dealing in UB brands across Russia, and UB bringing Russian Standard's brands into India," DR. Mallya was quoted as saying today (10 July).

Russian Standard's vodka stable includes an eponymous label and Imperia, which was launched in the US last year.

Tariko has become embroiled in a high-profile dispute with Pernod Ricard after claiming that Pernod's flagship vodka Stolichnaya was not Russian, and was in fact made in Latvia. Pernod has labelled the allegations as "grossly misleading".

UB officials could not be reached to confirm the reports while representatives for Russian Standard in the US failed to return requests for comment as just-drinks went to press.

Sectors: Spirits

Companies: UB Group, Pernod, Ricard, Stolichnaya