PLCB Stops Sales of Russian-Made Products

It will continue to sell products that have Russian names but aren’t actually made in Russia.

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has ordered the removal of Russian-made products to show solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine.

The PLCB took the action Sunday at Governor Tom Wolf’s request.

The board’s action comes as some other US states have made similar moves in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; bars and liquor stores have pulled Russian vodka off their shelves and promoted Ukrainian brands instead.

“Given the evolving political-economic climate, it’s just the right thing to do,” PLCB chairperson Tim Holden said in a written statement.

The PLCB instructed all Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores and licensee service centers to remove Russian-made products. In addition, Russian-made special order products will no longer be available.

The order has limited impact because only two affected products — Russian Standard and Ustianochka 80-proof vodkas — are stocked in Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, the board said. It also said about a half-dozen special order brands come from Russia.

(Most popular vodka brands are made elsewhere: Absolut is made in Sweden, Belvedere is made in Poland, Grey Goose is made in France, Smirnoff is made in Illinois, and Stolichnaya is made in Latvia. The PLCB will not restrict the sales of these brands or others with Russian-themed names that are not sourced from Russia.)

The board operates 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers and handlers.

Managing Editor Christina Kristofic contributed to this report.