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Justice bans Russian-produced liquor in W.Va.

By From STAFF REPORTS 1 min read
Photo Courtesy of W.Va. Governor’s Office Gov. Jim Justice on Friday makes a point during his pandemic briefing. The governor again encouraged residents to get vaccinated and boosted to give more time for the “super brains” around the world to “come up with a real cure for the whole situation.”

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has decided to put the sale of Russian liquor on ice.

Justice announced Monday that he signed an executive order directing the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration to cease the purchase and sale of all Russian-produced liquor until further notice.

West Virginia currently distributes four brands of Russian liquor: Russian Standard, Beluga Vodka, Moskovskaya, and Hammer & Sickle Russian Vodka. The WVABCA estimates that there are approximately 73 cases of Russian liquor in the state's warehouse.

Justice also directed the WVABCA Commissioner to order and make Ukrainian-made liquor brands available for purchase by licensed retail liquor outlets depending on their availability. He also requested that the West Virginia Retailers Association remove Russian liquor from their shelves and not sell the products until further notice.

All other brands of liquor that are sold in West Virginia, including those branded with Russian names for marketing purposes, are purchased from distilleries not located in Russia.

Starting at /week.