A recent article in the Daily Mail mentioned that Beefeater gin has gone back on sale in Russia. Named after the warders that guard the Towers Of London, MPs have expressed outrage at the French company that owns this quintessentially British export. Pernod Ricard who own the brand initially paused shipments to Russia last March. The mail has revealed that the French parent company has quietly decided to cancel the embargo meaning Beefeater Gin has reappeared on Supermarket shelves in Russia.
Alicia Kearns, chairman of the foreign affairs committee has commented ‘ Pernod Ricard profiting from an aggressive state responsible for war crimes is shameful’
There has been a marked response on social media bombarding the brands feed with videos of themselves pouring gin down the sink. One caption read ‘ do you enjoy your gin with just a hint of Ukrainian blood? If not, feel free to boycott all Pernod Ricard product ‘
Protesters from the Ukraine Solidarity Project also targeted the Tower Of London, Westminster and the Beefeater Factory in London calling for a boycott of this product.
Pernod Ricard advertise Beefeater gin on their Russian site, mentioning that it has five offices with around 300 employees in Russia. A spokesman for the firm commented that they had resumed shipping to Russia on a ‘limited basis because pre-existing stock in the country had now run out’
OWC Comment – we will inform you of any other drinks company/s, large or small we hear of carrying out this disgraceful resumption of supply practice.