Mafia-Themed Scotch Whisky Banned in the UK
Not everyone has seen a Tommy Gun, a popular mafia-thematic sub-machine gun. The weapon, classified as the Thompson submachine gun, has become the spotlight of news media after the UK alcohol governing body, The Portman Group, ordered retailers to remove a Polish whisky brand from their shelves.
The regulatory body has ordered stores to stop placing orders for the Sicilian mafia-themed whisky, known as ‘Cosa Nostra’. The whisky is produced by the Polish firm Bartex Bartol and is distributed in bottles fashioned in the shape of a Tommy Gun.
The Portman Group stated that its decision comes in light of the increase in violent crimes across the UK. It pointed out that although most consumers were unaware of what a Tommy gun is, they would easily associate the flask with a firearm.
According to a spokesman from the Portman Group, the Polish distillery was in breach of consumer regulation by promoting thematic violence that would associate whisky with guns. Although no fines were announced, the removal in the UK may trigger similar acts across Europe and even extend to the US and Canada.