By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports
Customers soon won’t be able to find Russian vodka in Idaho’s state-run liquor stores — though there isn’t much to begin with.
The Idaho State Liquor Division, in consultation with the governor’s office, is removing Russian-owned liquor from its store shelves to show support for Ukraine, said Marissa Morrison-Hyer, Gov. Brad Little’s press secretary.
Idaho State Liquor Division Director Jeff Anderson confirmed the move to Idaho Reports, adding that most consumers won’t likely notice a difference. Idaho state liquor stores sell just two brands: Russian Standard vodka, which is on the shelf in several stores, and Beluga, a special-order vodka.
“Sales are small, relatively speaking, to the rest of the (vodka) category,” he said. Most vodka brands are made in the United States, with a handful of others hailing from France and Latvia, Anderson said.
Customers won’t be able to request Russian Standard or Beluga. “We’ve got hundreds and hundreds of other options, so we’re removing them from the shelf,” he said.
Melissa Davlin | Host, Lead Producer
Melissa Davlin is the lead producer and host of Idaho Reports. She has covered the Idaho Legislature since 2012. She also produces for Outdoor Idaho and Idaho Public Television. She has won multiple awards for her work, including a regional Emmy for her documentary on Chinese immigration in Idaho, Idaho Press Club broadcast reporter of the year for 2015 and 2019, the Idaho Press Club First Amendment Award, and the 2019 Boise State University Enhancing Public Discourse award. She lives in Boise with her husband and two children.
