A Brand to Drink To

Ketel One, Grey Goose, Vox and Belvedere: You're fired. Trump Vodka, you're hired.

At least that's what Donald Trump is hoping for with his foray into the liquor business. He recently launched Trump Vodka in October 2006, and it's taking off. "We expect to sell at least 100,000 cases this year," says J. Patrick Kenny, CEO of Drinks Americas (DKAM Quote), the company that distributes the vodka.

Can celebrity icons sell liquor?

According to Kenny, the answer is a resounding yes. Drinks Americas, which was founded in 2002, owns, develops, markets and distributes beverages associated with several big names. Some of its other lines include Willie Nelson's Old Whisky River Bourbon and Paul Newman's Own Lightly Sparkling Fruit Juice Drinks. ...