Allied Domecq has denied the nationalisation of Stolichnaya vodka throws its distribution agreement for the Russian brand into disarray. Allied secured 10-year distribution rights for Stolichnaya ­ the second biggest selling imported premium vodka in the US ­ from Diageo last year and insisted it would continue to market the brand as usual. A government official said the vodka brand was just one of a raft of trademarks to be transferred to the agriculture ministry in recent weeks by Rospatent, the Russian agency for patents and trademarks. {{NEWS }}

Topics