SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Mar 3: An international boycott of Russian vodka is building from the US to Australia as politicians and corporations signal their opposition to President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine by targeting one of his country’s most iconic products. However, the Indian subcontinent still seems content with the Russian vodka brands as long as it is ‘liquor’.
As explained by Abhishek, store manager of Wine Gallery in Nucleus Mall, “People in Ranchi mostly prefer to buy whiskey, scotch or beer. Overall, demand for vodka in Ranchi is quite less. Usually, women prefer it, but they also buy comparatively cheaper brands like flavored Magic Moments or Absolut Vodka which can cost around Rs 450 to Rs 600 per 750 ml bottle or around Rs 1400 to Rs 2000 respectively.”
“Here people think that if alcohol is costly, it better be whiskey, rum or scotch. Several of our customers have said that if it is pricey, then why not choose a better whiskey in the same range instead of vodka. As far as Russian vodka is considered, only a select few are the buyers here,” he continued.
He further added, “Russian brands that we carry include Drofa that will cost around Rs 2000 for a 750 ml bottle and Murena that costs around Rs 1500 for the same quantity. This is good Russian vodka that the Indian palette cannot handle, which is why; people often don’t even bother and go for brown liquors instead. Altogether, because Russian vodka has never been in demand, its sale has had almost no effect after the Russian-Ukrainian war began a few days back.”
Sanjeet Sinha, store manager at Dose, a liquor shop near Hariom Tower states, “There has been absolutely no effect on the sale of Russian Vodka. It was already negligible. In fact, a new brand was very recently launched in Ranchi that can be found at several stores including ours named Russian Standard Vodka. This can cost up to Rs 1500. I believe we are a long way from seeing the effects of war on the sale of liquor, be it any kind.”
Excise and Prohibition department official Dr Rakesh Kumar in this regard said, “Overall vodka sale in the state is quite limited, however, it is difficult to say if the war has had any specific affect on it as of now.”
