Smirnoff began with Piotr A. Smirnov in Moscow who was commissioned to produce vodka by the government after he was the first to filter the spirit in charcoal, removing impurities and making a consistent quality. It literally revolutionized the distilling world. After some success, the Smirnov family was forced to flee Russia in the revolution in 1917 when all private businesses were confiscated. Vladamir Smirnov adopted the French spelling of the name Smirnoff and from there began producing again. Smirnoff vodka, in 1934, became the very first vodka to enter the United States.

There has been legal dispute over the name Smirnoff but today it is consolidated with Diageo and once again is produced in Russia. It is the number one selling spirit in the world today.

Smirnoff No. 21–the red label vodka found nearly everywhere–is a grain neutral spirit made in large column stills but using the charcoal filtration process invented and patented by Vladamir Smirnov himself.

Smirnoff Cranberry vodka is part of their “twists” lineup, which features a cool little twisted bottle. The vodka is made with the classic Smirnoff No. 21 vodka and cranberry flavor.