Cosa Nostra Scotch Whisky: Crime Association Spurs Call for Sales Halt
Retailers are being urged to cease the sale of Cosa Nostra Scotch Whisky following its association with actions characterized as “violent, aggressive, hazardous, and unlawful.”
The packaging of Cosa Nostra Scotch Whisky is rather unique, adopting a gun-shaped bottle designed after a Thompson ‘Tommy’ gun.
The panel made a note of the packaging design, stating that it effectively linked the beverage to a potentially lethal weapon.
The producer’s failure to comply led to the grievance against the product being supported by the Portman Group’s Independent Complaints Panel, thereby invoking the harshest penalty, according to the regulatory body.
‘Cosa Nostra’ is notably recognized as an entity within the Italian mafia, as the panel pointed out.
The panel also mentioned that given the increasing gun-related crime rates in the UK, the product’s packaging could possibly lead to ‘grave and extensive offense’, particularly in communities that are grappling with gun-related crimes.
Nicola Williams, the chairperson of the Independent Complaints Panel, stated: “In the current scenario where gun-related crime is surging in the UK, it’s utterly irresponsible for a liquor producer to glorify guns and market a product in such a manner.
“There were numerous glaring indications that this product was in clear violation of the code. Regrettably, this follows a complaint about a similar product by the same producer, which the panel supported in 2014.
“I trust that Bartex Bartol will realize that such products are completely intolerable.”
In the meantime, the Portman Group supported a complaint against Engine Organic Gin for claiming to possess healing properties, earlier this year in April.
Additionally, last November, Mixpixie agreed to halt the production of its Prescription Gin following a complaint that was upheld regarding its medicine-themed bottle.
