ORLANDO, Fla. (March 27, 2008) – Some people drink 10 cups a day, others drink the average three. Some will only drink Starbucks, others prefer McDonald’s or Dunkin’ Donuts. But no matter how much is consumed or what brand lands in the cup, consumers have made it clear – coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages. And businesses, like Van Gogh Vodka®, are investing in coffee’s economic influence, banking on its potential to provide them financial success.

What makes Van Gogh Vodka unique is its creative use of the coffee phenomenon. With a shoestring budget, no advertising and limited marketing, the brand is making a resounding mark in the spirits industry. How? By bottling what consumers love most and spiking it with vodka.

The first vodka brand to capitalize on the nation’s love of all things coffee, Van Gogh Vodka redefined the “shot of espresso” when, in 2005, the brand married the flavor of America’s favorite beverage with the world’s most popular spirit and released its five-star rated Espresso vodka. Later that year, Van Gogh Double Espresso® brought consumers a new level of rich coffee flavor, color and added caffeine.

Having wisely trademarked his espresso flavored vodkas, Van Gogh Vodka Founder and President David van de Velde, who achieved initial success in the spirits industry as the first U.S. importer of Ketel One vodka, has skillfully capitalized on the immense popularity of high-quality coffee products. “The demand for our espresso flavors developed organically, without advertising or expensive marketing. Espresso and Double Espresso first gained strong bartender support, which then translated to widespread consumer loyalty. Now, we essentially own the coffee-flavored vodka category,” he explains.

What van de Velde describes as his “oil spot” theory regarding the brand’s development, amounts to Van Gogh Vodka achieving a steady and impressive annual sales increase of 35 percent, with Espresso and Double Espresso accounting for more than 50 percent of the brand’s sales. “Espresso, then Double Espresso first took off in Baltimore, Maryland. Then, strictly advanced by consumer demand, these flavors spread to Virginia, New Jersey, South Carolina and across the east coast. This is truly an underground movement driven by brand loyalists on both sides of the bar.”

“Our espresso flavored vodkas have been perfectly refined to provide a bold, but smooth flavor that coffee lovers can appreciate,” says van de Velde.

Van Gogh Vodka produces the most flavors of any brand worldwide including the trendsetting Espresso and Double Espresso®, complemented by Acai-Blueberry®, Banana, Dutch Chocolate, Coconut, Pineapple, Pomegranate and Wild Appel vodkas. For more information and 2,000 complimentary cocktail recipes, visit www.VanGoghVodka.com or call 888-539-3361.

VGV

Luctor International owns and imports all Van Gogh Vodka flavors, gins and liqueurs worldwide from the Royal Dirkzwager Distillery in Schiedam, Holland. The Orlando, Florida-based company exports to the United States, Canada, Europe, the Far East, Australia, Israel, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Mexico, South Africa and Central America.

MEDIA INFORMATION:
Luctor International – Van Gogh Vodka
Doug Luciani 407-812-5795 / d.luciani@luctor.com
Shelley Ouellette 407-812-9327 / s.ouellette@luctor.com