Russia and the West keep exchanging sanctions. The limitations imposed by the western countries are directed towards Russia’s high officials and businessmen as well as large state companies. In the meantime, it seems that retaliatory sanctions by Russia are targeted on the ordinary Russians. According to experts, in case Mr Putin really wanted to fend off Europe’s attacks, he would cut off oil and gas supplies instead of banning foreign apples. But it seems that it is tough for officials to kiss goodbye to their oil and gas dollars. Bourbon whiskey is likely to become a new victim in this so-called ‘grocery battle’. The Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being (Rospotrebnadzor) found out that the American spirit does not comply with Russia’s legislation.
There is no need to panic, but Russians are going to miss relatively cheap alcoholic beverage manufactured by Barton 1792 Distillery – the Kentucky Gentleman whiskey. Rospotrebnadzor stated that this product does not fulfil technical requirement of the Customs Union. But, the whiskey does have an EAC label, a mark used for products on Customs Union member states. The official statement by the sanitary authority reads that the spirit contains dangerous components which are able to provoke functional and organic disorders in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as cancer and infertility.
