Virgin Galactic and Grey Goose global partnership

This ground-breaking partnership will celebrate the extraordinary achievement of the first commercial spaceflight and the visionaries who made it possible via iconic media, exclusive content, experiential events, limited editions and consumer retail engagement.

Grey Goose, the world's leading super premium vodka, announces today (Sept. 22) its official partnership with Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial passenger flight into space.

Formed from a shared philosophy that extraordinary achievement comes from acting on your beliefs, the partnership was revealed this evening by Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides, Global Category Director Premium White Spirits Ben Farlow and Grey Goose creator and Maître de Chai François Thibault, at the Rose Space Center and Planetarium in New York.

Above: What does space taste like? Introducing Grey Goose's latest cocktail innovation, Beyond The Clouds — a scientifically engineered blend of raspberries and light pepper (2 Parts Grey Goose Vodka, 4 Parts Walnut Acres Raspberry Juice, 3/4 Part Raspberry Extract, Pinch of Cracked Black Pepper, Ice Orb) (Grey Goose)

As part of the evening, Sir Richard Branson introduced Virgin Disruptors, a thought leadership series supported by The Virgin Group. A panel of disruptive minds in the travel industry will debate "The Future of Travel: Are We Moving Fast Enough?"

This event marks the beginning of a partnership between the two iconic brands that goes beyond solely sharing a philosophy. As Virgin Galactic welcomes the first commercial passengers into space, Grey Goose will bring this space journey to life through a range of out-of-this-world experiences, exclusive content and a series of limited edition promotions. This will be complemented with exclusive sponsorship activity at the Virgin Galactic launch location at Spaceport America, New Mexico.

For those who will be experiencing the commercial space flights, exceptional signature cocktails will toast the new era of space travel planned for 2015.

Above: Grey Goose creator and Maitre de Chai Francois Thibault and Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson celebrate their new pioneering partnership at the Rose Centre for Earth and Space. (Grey Goose)

Both Grey Goose and Virgin Galactic were created by visionaries who possess the determination to act on their beliefs, seeing possibilities where others did not. François Thibault believed he could revolutionize vodka by applying his skills of a traditionally trained cognac Maître de Chai. Using only the finest ingredients François Thibault crafted a luxury vodka, built from the ground up through a field to bottle process that celebrates the quality of its ingredients versus neutrality.

François Thibault pioneered a unique process that brings out the naturally superior characteristics and taste of the fresh ingredients, one radically different than traditional methods of distillation that strip vodka of its flavor. By combining soft winter wheat from Picardie with spring water from Gensac-La-Pallue, naturally filtered through limestone, combined with this unique distillation process, he created Grey Goose, a vodka of unprecedented quality and character.

"This is a marriage of two brands whoshare values and a true sense that if you can imagine it, it can be done. Not only do we both follow the same long-term vision that the extraordinary can be achieved from acting on your beliefs, but we also look forward to celebrating this iconic cultural moment in time with those on the ground," says François Thibault.

Sir Richard Branson truly embodies the "Fly Beyond" spirit at the heart of the Grey Goose vodka brand. A globally recognized entrepreneur who is both a pioneer and visionary in his own right, Sir Richard has defied expectations by constantly pushing boundaries and achieving unimaginable success from humble beginnings. Since 2008, Grey Goose has recognized and celebrated this kindred spirit in Sir Richard and the Virgin brand.

First, featuring Sir Richard in the acclaimed television series, Iconoclasts, that showcases innovators and visionaries, produced by Grey Goose Entertainment. Most recently with the creation of the Grey Goose Loft at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow Airport, which elevates the travel experience to new heights.

Now, by pioneering the first commercial passenger flights into space with the world's first spaceline, Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard is at the forefront of a groundbreaking new travel experience that few believed possible.

"We are delighted that Grey Goose is joining us as a partner on our incredible journey. This evening of disruptiveand rich debate about the future of travel, a wonderful celebration of human achievement, is at the heart of the Virgin Galactic Grey Goose partnership. We share a passionate pursuit of the extraordinary which we look forward to celebrating together as the world's first commercial spaceline builds and grow," says Branson.