Bangkok (Thailand) – February 19, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Russian Standard, Russia's leading premium vodka, celebrated its grand launch in Bangkok, kicking off a series of presentation events in eight cities across five Southeast Asian countries. The Southeast Asia tour is being organized by Brand Connect, Asia's fastest-growing beverage distribution and brand building agency.

“Vodka as it should be,” an unforgettable Russian experience, took place at The House on Sathorn, a century-old national heritage site and former seat of the Russian Embassy in Thailand. Highlights of this Russian-inspired evening included live culinary demonstrations by Alexey Tyutin of Caviar House and Chef Fatih Tutak of The House on Sathorn. A special highlight was a performance by renowned pianist and opera singer Ivan Sharapov. The event also welcomed the guest of honor, HRH Evgeny Y. Tomikhin, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Thailand.

Tatiana Petrakova, global brand ambassador for Russian Standard and originally from St. Petersburg, represented Russian Standard at the event. She is known for having educated over 15,000 people worldwide about the history and technical details of Russian vodka.

Tatiana from Bangkok wrote: “We are proud to bring Russian Standard to Asia and thank the Thai people for the incredibly warm welcome we received. We hope that everyone we met will take away a lasting memory of a truly Russian experience where vodka was celebrated as it should be.”

“Brand Connect is committed to partnering with the world’s most progressive spirits brands. We have seen strong demand for authentic Russian vodka in Asia and are excited to introduce Russian Standard to some of the world’s most dynamic markets,” said Justin Frizelle, founder and CEO of Brand Connect Holdings.

Russian Standard Vodka consistently ranks among the fastest-growing spirits brands worldwide and is both the number one premium vodka in Russia and the leading Russian vodka brand globally. The flagship brand, Russian Standard Vodka, holds the largest market share in the Russian premium vodka segment and is exported to over 80 countries.

Russian Standard Vodka, produced exclusively in Saint Petersburg, is inspired by the works of Russia's most famous scientist, Dmitri Mendeleev, the inventor of the periodic table. Mendeleev's philosophy of balance and natural order led to the discovery of the perfect ratio of water to alcohol, which formed the basis for the original standard of the Russian Empire, established by Tsar Alexander III in 1894. Russian Standard is a 100% authentic Russian vodka, made from glacial water and the finest Russian winter wheat. The vodka's exceptionally pure taste and high quality are the result of continuous investment in technology and innovation at the state-of-the-art distillery in Saint Petersburg.

About Brand Connect: Brand Connect Group Holdings, a subsidiary of Singapore Duty-Free International Limited (“DFI”, SGX:5SO), was established to meet the full distribution and brand building needs of global alcoholic beverage brand owners in Southeast Asia. Founded in 2014, Brand Connect provides direct import and brand management services in all Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar.

Brand Connect's current portfolio includes more than 30 international brands, including: Proximo (Jose Cuervo), Russian Standard, Heaven Hill, Zamora, Fever Tree, Four Pillars Gin, Fratelli Branca, Michter's American Whiskeys, Ocho Tequila, G'Vine Gin, Diplomatico Rum, Giffard Liqueurs and Syrups, Massenez, Flor De Cana Rum, Glenfarclas Single Malt Scotch, Nusa Cana Rum, Abelha Cachaça, The Bitter Truth and many more…

About Russian Standard: Roust is the largest integrated spirits producer and distributor in Central and Eastern Europe and the second-largest vodka producer worldwide (by sales volume). Over 30 million 9-liter cases are sold annually in more than 80 countries. Roust operates production facilities and distribution centers in Poland, Hungary, Russia, and Italy. Its extensive portfolio includes the well-known vodka brands Russian Standard, Green Mark, Talka, Parliament, and Zhuravli, as well as the legendary Polish vodka Żubrówka. For further information, please contact Jenna Packer at [email protected].