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* NBC 5…
Illinois liquor store giant Binny’s Beverage Depot announced Monday the removal of Russian products from its stores in a move of solidarity with Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
Greg Versch, director of communications for Binny’s, told NBC 5 the company is removing the “small handful” of Russian products that are for sale at its locations and on its website. Versch explained that “many vodkas, even those with Russian-sounding names are made in places close to home,” such as Gurnee and Plainfield.
Those products will remain on store shelves.
One of those vodkas is Smirnoff.
* Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) rose for a point of personal privilege on the House floor yesterday…
I know a lot of us are concerned about what’s going on on the other side of the world and in Ukraine and everybody’s trying to do their little part that they can to support. And one of the things was people were trying to do is not use Russian products. I just want the body and the state of Illinois to know that Smirnoff is not a Russian product. It’s actually produced in the United States. It’s actually produced in Illinois. It’s actually produced about a bike ride from my house. So as we’re cheering on the good versus evil that’s going on the other side of the world, feel free to support Smirnoff while you’re doing that. Thank you.
* CNN…
Russian Standard, along with lesser-known vodka Green Mark, are one of the few alcohol brands imported from Russia and sold in the United States. It’s parent company, Roust International, is owned by Roustam Tariko, a Russian oligarch who also owns Russian Standard Bank. […]
Less than 1% of vodka consumed in the United States is produced in Russia. In fact, more than half of all vodka consumed domestically is actually made here, according to data from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, a global firm that tracks alcohol sales.
Vodka imported from Russia has been on the decline for several years, and is down 79% since 2011, DISCUS said.
* Meanwhile, you should definitely watch this…
Click here to read the story if you can’t watch videos at work.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:09 am
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If Binnys wishes to make a real statement they should also remove Tito’s vodka, manufactured in Texas, a state that has declared war on books and transgenders.
Comment by H L Mencken Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:16 am
This is getting as ridiculous as calling French fries freedom fries.
Comment by Furtive Look Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:18 am
Nonetheless, it is good and decent to see lay people and some corporations attempting to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and outrage toward the Russian oligarchy that has shattered any hopes for a world where no nation has the right to conquer another. While the fiscal effect of a Vodka boycott will be small, the intention will be heard.
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:22 am
I saw the flag story and commented favorably on it yesterday on Twitter. Seeing the rest of the story makes it even more meaningful. I’m proud of Illinois’ leadership and it’s demonstration of support for Ukraine.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:25 am
My favorite vodka (Beluga) is made in Russia. Just as happy to forgo for the foreseeable future.
Comment by well... Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:25 am
If Stolichnaya had a relatioionship status, it would be, “it’s complicated.” The brand started in Russia, but the owner moved the main distillery to Latvia in 1948. To further complicate things, the wheat used in Stoli is Russian and some of the pre-production work is done in Russia. Just drink Whiskey.
Comment by Slainte Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:26 am
Smirnoff Vodka: As American as the Cubs.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:27 am
===calling French fries freedom fries===
You can’t possibly be that stupid. Freedom fries was about a snit over France not helping us with a war. This is about a country that invaded a sovereign nation for no good reason.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:28 am
“This is about a country that invaded a sovereign nation for no good reason.”
Uhh…
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:32 am
If it makes you feel good to give up drinking Russian-made vodka right now, then by all means, do it. But in terms of things that might actually help the Ukrainian people, it’s probably about number 1,000 on the list, well after donating to a refugee relief fund and calling your Senator to tell them to demand that US immigration commit to accepting as many fleeing Ukrainians as possible.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:39 am
I prefer gin.
Comment by Pius Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:39 am
All in on the idea but it would help to be sure you’re targeting the right products. Unfortunately we have to face the reality that we have an Autocrat willing to kill innocent people while threatening the rest of the world with Nuclear war if they don’t allow him his Stalinist fantasies. Until the Decision or the Man (Putin) is changed we need to avoid all Russian products.
Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:44 am
I make almost all vodka decisions based on price.
But if you make a choice based on geography pick Down East Vodka made with grain grown in Paxton.
I also think Skyy Vodka is made with distilled grain from ADM in Peoria.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:48 am
If we’re naming IL Vodka alternatives there’s Blue Stem distilled in Bethalto, IL. Good stuff.
Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:52 am
I’m a Kentucky bourbon drinker myself, and I decided to give it up because I hate McConnell and Rand so much.
Comment by Anonymous60521 Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 10:59 am
With craft distilling the cache of foreign spirits isn’t nearly as great. If you want some good Illinois spirits try https://www.chicagodistilling.com/hand-sanitizer
The gin and vodka are both great. I haven’t tried the rest. The Dunkel and Belgian Dark Strong barreled whiskey looks interesting.
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 11:06 am
At least now we all know why Batinick wanted to introduce that bill restricting the potency of cannabis.
He’s proud of his liquor, and their donations. Doesn’t seem the slightest bit concerned with the high percentage of alcohol content though.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 11:08 am
If you’re working to stop socialism, probably not the worst mistake to confuse a Russian made product with an Illinois made one.
Comment by In The Air Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 11:09 am
I think a difference with the freedom fries thing is that no French grown products were involved. French fries are made from potatoes. Almost all potatoes eaten in the US are domestically grown (some do come from Canada).
Here we are talking about products that are actually made in Russia and generating a profit that can be used in Russia.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 11:13 am
so, name change? also, was it originally from Russia and is there any ownership stake?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 11:15 am
@Mason
Thank you - I was looking for that one too. I’ve driven by that store front a few times but couldn’t locate it.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 11:16 am
Don’t worry, UK company Diageo still brags about doing business in Russia on their very own website.
https://www.diageo.com/en/our-business/where-we-operate/europe/diageo-russia/
So, Mark supports his ‘hometown company’ bragging about doing business in Russia?
Probably should have spent the few minutes it takes to look into the details, before standing on the house floor to pat himself on the back.
Ah well, Mark just doing what Mark does.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 11:22 am
I’ve found that after 4 shots, all vodka’s tastes the same. Then after lunch, same thing.
Comment by Sayitaintso Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 11:48 am
Give up the Russian stuff, and go with a nice Polish Vodka. Poland is a NATO ally and they are hosting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Sobieski is surprisingly good at a value price. Belvedere and Chopin are great affinity brands.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 11:56 am
All great products for the IMA’s Makers Madness contest. LOL
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 12:04 pm
If anyone wants a good beverage alcohol read while sipping whatever adult beverage they want check out the King of Vodka by Linda Himelstein. Drags a little bit about 2/3 of the way thru (only so many ways to rehash Russian governments very complicated relation to regulating vodka) but most of it was great including how an English company ended up with it and launching it in US (hint: ginger beer and copper mugs were key). I’ve seen it carried in a couple Chicago bookstores besides the obvious big box places. Cheers (banned punctuation) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5956964-the-king-of-vodka
Comment by ChicagoBars Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 12:18 pm
I don’t drink and have no desire to (due to past alcoholism involving a loved one and all the hell that caused my other loved ones). But how about a total renaming of vodka as “Even Harder Cider” or something like that.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 12:24 pm
= French fries are made from potatoes. Almost all potatoes eaten in the US are domestically grown =
Someone once told me that he hadn’t know that there was a Moscow in Idaho. I said, “Where do you think red potatoes come from?”
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 12:35 pm
Donnie Elgin, I concur. Poland makes excellent low and high end vodka. Luksusowa is also a good one. and Chopin is a potato vodka so no gluten if that’s an issue for some. I’m glad Binny’s is making a symbolic gesture.
Comment by Baloneymous Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 12:39 pm
===Poland makes excellent low and high end vodka===
Agreed. First time I ever tried it was during a college trip to Prague in 1980.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 12:41 pm
== I think a difference with the freedom fries thing is that no French grown products were involved. ==
There was a huge push to boycott French wine and other products in 2003. Fox News and pro-war politicians flogged it endlessly. People dumped French wine in the streets.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 1:29 pm
Smirnoff Vodka soon to change its name to Illini Vodka. /s
Comment by Retired SURS Employee Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 2:32 pm
Anon @1:29pm
I remember that. I was against the war so went on a buying spree of French products. As much as I love their advice to us in that case, I found their red wines did not favorably compare to west coast reds; their chocolate did not compare well to German; their woolens, however, were really nice and so was their champagne.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Mar 2, 22 @ 2:44 pm
According to my Polish friend who knows his vodkas, Smirnoff recipe was stollen from them by Russians who then fled Russia a long time ago and is now made in US
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Mar 3, 22 @ 8:11 am