Italians Outraged Over Mafia-Themed Whisky: Will This Whisky Be Banned Soon?

The bottle's uniqueness isn't only its shape but also the name of the whisky. Cosa Nostra refers to the umbrella organization behind various Sicilian mafia families. The same-named drink also harkens back to the era of mob bosses Al Capone and Lucky Luciano , notorious for their rampant bloodshed.

The Italian agricultural organization, Coldiretti, supported by Filiera Italia (the umbrella organization of the Italian agro-industry), finds it a disgraceful trend for such brand names to exist and contain references. According to the organization, they damage the image of Italian products and therefore cross a line.

On its own website, Coldiretti indicates that such references not only damage the image, but they are also 'an insult to hundreds of thousands of honest entrepreneurs who work hard every day to provide the highest quality products'. The products also refer to a phenomenon that led to the pain and suffering of the mafia's victims.

It's not just about the Cosa Nostra Tommy Gun whisky, but many other products. Coldiretti's own research brought forward over 300 products. In Germany, there's a product called Don Marco's Mafia Coffee Rub for sale, and in the UK you have snacks under the brand Chilli Maffia. Other drinks eagerly use mafia names, like the Talha Mafia Pistol from Portugal, the Fernet Mafioso Liqueur from Germany, and a Bulgarian coffee called Mafiozzo. And at a fair in Palermo, multiple products were exhibited to the horror of the organizations.

In another post from Coldiretti, the organization states that the problem is far from being limited to products, but extends far beyond. Think of restaurants, bars, and more where the mafia serves as an inspiration. As per Ettore Prandini, the European Union should address the commercial use of mafia names and that such products should be outlawed. Whether that will happen remains uncertain.