London, Sept. 20 (Reuters): The creator of one of the world?s most famous guns, the AK-47 assault rifle, launched another weapon in Britain today ? Kalashnikov vodka.

Lieutenant General Mikhail Kalashnikov, who invented the AK-47 after being shot by German soldiers during World War II, said he wanted to continue ?the good name? of his gun. ?I?ve always wanted to improve and expand on the good name of my weapon.?

?So we decided to create a vodka under my name. And we wanted that vodka to be better than anything made, up until now, in both Russia and England.? Promoters of the vodka say it is ?made from grain harvested in Russia and water drawn from Lake Ladoga north of St Petersburg? and is best drunk with friends.