Pyotr Smirnov was a Russian entrepreneur best known for founding the Smirnoff vodka brand in the late 19th century. He established his distillery in Moscow in 1864, where he developed a unique charcoal filtration process that improved the quality of vodka. His innovative techniques helped to popularize vodka both in Russia and internationally. After his death in 1898, the Smirnoff brand continued to grow, eventually becoming one of the most recognized vodka labels worldwide. The brand was later acquired by the British company Diageo in the 1990s, further expanding its global reach and influence in the spirits market.