Portman Group ruling angers licensees
The Portman Group has been forced to defend itself from a barrage of industry criticism following the retailer alert it put out against Kalashnikov vodka.
The brand, owned by Kalashnikov Joint Stock Vodka was ruled to have breached the industry watchdog's code of conduct because of its alleged "association with violent and dangerous behaviour".
Jim Minton, director of communications for the Portman Group, said: "If the industry decides to impose these rules (through the Independent Complaints Panel) then that has to be respected. The Kalashnikov rifle is very current and is a dangerous high velocity weapon."
There has been an unprecedented level of response to the story on thePublican.com. Over 30 comments suggest that the Portman Group has got the decision all wrong.
Chris Dyson, licensee of Ye Olde Burtle Inn in Somerset, said: "It is obvious that the Portman Group is not acting in the interest of the trade or taking account of public opinion."
There has been criticism of the decision given the number of drinks brands in the UK that have similar associations with weapons and violence, such as Thwaites' Lancaster Bomber, Charles Wells' Bombardier, Shepherd Neame's Spitfire and Diageo's recently re-released Bulleit Bourbon.
General Kalashnikov was the man behind the invention of the AK-47 assault rifle and credited with leading the Russian army to victory over the Nazis in World War II.
Related articles:
Portman Group issues warning on Kalashnikov vodka (16 February 2005)
