The World’s First Ultra Premium Rice Vodka

Los Angeles, CA – August 4, 2007 – Today, Kai officially announced the launch of its Ultra Premium vodka to the California market. Kai is the world’s first Ultra Premium rice vodka, as well as the world’s first Lychee flavored vodka. Already popular in Hawaii where it was launched, Kai is being enjoyed in luxurious bars and restaurants, including Ruth’s Chris, Roy’s and the Hyatt Regency.

Founder and serial entrepreneur Marcus Bender has had over 28 years experience in the beverage industry, starting with South Pacific Beverages and Hinano Beer of Tahiti. In 1990 Bender purchased and revived Hansen’s Soda, and now aims to make a big splash in California’s trendsetting, high-end vodka arena with Kai.

“We wanted to introduce Kai to a hip and diverse market,” says Bender. “California encompasses the spirit of the word Kai, which means ‘sea’ in Hawaiian, ‘pleasure’ in Japan and ‘happy gathering’ in China. Because California is a melting pot of many ethnic restaurants, bars and clubs, we believe Californians will embrace the personality and uniqueness of Kai Vodka. The vast market here enables us to penetrate a crowded field and provide Californian consumers with a unique option.”

Kai vodka is made from rare Yellow Blossom Rice grown exclusively along the Red River Delta in Vietnam. The distillation process is an age old tradition creating a naturally sweet, smooth-tasting vodka. The end result is a delicate and exotic bouquet, with hints of spice, vanilla, and tropical aromas, giving Kai a taste as unique as the rice itself.

“Our vodka is exceptional because of the rare yellow blossom rice, which gives it a taste dramatically different than those made from wheat, potatoes or grapes,” says Bender. “Kai Vodka is about ‘discovery and taste,’ and we are sharing a secret that has existed for over six centuries in Vietnam.”

Kai’s Lychee Flavored Vodka is flavored with the tropical Lychee fruit to produce an inimitably sweet, rich flavor with hints of rose and orange blossom. Smooth, complex and intimately perfumed with notes of sweet spice, rose and honey, the Lychee Flavored Vodka is being described as a “the original Lychee Martini.”

Southern Wine & Spirits begins distributing Kai on August 1st 2007. Kai is also planning an aggressive promotional and marketing campaign targeting vodka lovers who expect a little more.

For more information please visit www.kaivodka.com. Images are available upon request. For media inquiries, please contact Tyler Barnett at 323.937.1351.