Retailers have been asked to stop placing orders for Bartex Bartol’s Cosa Nostra Scotch Whisky, after drinks industry watchdog the Portman Group ruled it had “a direct association with violent, aggressive, dangerous and illegal behaviour, and caused serious and widespread offence”.
The Group’s issuing of a Retailer Alert Bulletin (RAB) – its most severe sanction – came following a complaint from a member of the public and Bartex Bartol’s subsequent failure to comply with the Group’s decision.
You don’t need to be Al Capone to realise that a bottle designed in the shape of a Thompson submachine gun and a product named after a well-known Mafia faction were going to fall foul of the Group’s code of practice, which takes a dim view of anything that glamourises violence and criminal activity.
This isn’t the first time Bartex Bartol has come under fire from the Portman Group. Back in 2014, a RAB was issued against its Red Army Vodka, which came in a tasteful glass Kalashnikov assault rifle complete with matching hand grenade.
Commenting on the Cosa Nostra decision, the Chair of the Portman Group’s Independent Complaints Panel, Nicola Williams, said: “In light of rising gun crime in the UK, it is deeply irresponsible of an alcohol producer to glamorise firearms and market a product in this form.
“There were multiple and clear signs this product was in direct breach of the Code and unfortunately follows a complaint for a similar product by the same producer. I hope Bartex Bartol takes note that such products are completely unacceptable.”
