WASHINGTON, June 28 (RIA Novosti) – Vodka, the national drink of Russia is the most popular spirit in America, CNBC reported Friday, citing analysis by Bernstein Research.
Vodka occupies ten of the top 24 spots for spirit brands in the US, according to Bernstein, and all of the top five spots.
Vodka initially bounced back in popularity in 2012 after 2011 saw a spike in whiskey sales attributed to the popularity of the cable television series “Mad Men.” The protagonist of the show, advertising executive Don Draper, is often seen nursing a glass of Canadian club.
Vodka accounts for 31 percent of sales in the spirits market in the US. But while Russian luxury brands Stolichnaya, Russian Standard and Smirnoff are popular, the number one spot is currently occupied by Sweden’s Svedka, owned by New York-based Constellation brands.
Industry analysts say celebrity endorsements of vodka in the United States, including from Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and P Diddy, have also helped to drive its popularity.
