Snova takes on Christmas market with chocolate liqueur

Snova, a London-based importer, is taking on the likes of Baileys, Malibu and Tia Lusso this Christmas with the UK launch of Or (Gold). The liqueur will be available in two flavours, chocolate and coconut, and is produced in Yugoslavia.

The company, which specialises in importing brands from former Yugoslav states, is also launching a plum brandy called Zuta Osa (Yellow Wasp) in time for Christmas. This will be followed by the launch of a vodka, V Vodka, in January.

Snova is being advised by drinks marketing consultancy Fluid Brands, which works with a number of other drinks companies. Founding partner David Flockhart says Fluid Brands plans to launch “one product a month until the end of 2003”.

Fluid Brands and Snova wanted to call the vodka Svensk, but were forced to abandon the idea after opposition from Scottish drinks company Glen Catrine, which owns the trademark Svenska.

By coincidence, Glen Catrine has just lost a ten-year court battle against Scotch whisky company William Grant over the use of the Grant’s name for vodka (MW November 14).

Snova managing director Michael Amvrosiu says the company was set up earlier this year to specialise in importing brands from the countries that used to comprise Yugoslavia.