With Watches & Wonders Geneva – the watch industry’s most important trade show – just under a month away, speculation about what many of the world’s biggest watch brands are going to reveal at the show is absolutely rife.

Naturally, the brand that’s the subject of much of the speculation, as it is every year, is Rolex. The titan of the watch industry is notoriously secretive and runs a pretty tight ship, so watch fans whip themselves up into a frenzy every year trying to anticipate what ‘The Crown’ is going to come up with next.

The horological experts over at Monochrome Watches has done a better job than most, sharing some rather compelling guesses and renders of possible new models. One of their mock-ups, however, really caught our attention: a two-tone version of the Rolex Submariner ‘Hulk’.

Hats off to Monochrome for their render, as well as the concept. A green and gold Rolex? What else could you call it but the ‘Aussie’? You beauty. We bloody hope Rolex actually make this…

The ref. 116610LV, better known by its heroic moniker, the ‘Hulk’, is one of the most vibrant and popular models Rolex has released in recent years. When it was first released in 2010, its green dial and bezel combination quickly became a fan favourite, driving up aftermarket prices… When it was discontinued in 2020, prices went ballistic, and now you can expect to pay around AU$50,000 for one – over three times the original retail price.

But we’re not hoping for a two-tone revival because we want to ditch the aftermarket’s price madness. We’d want one because it looks very cool. The bright green pairs beautifully with Rolex’s 18ct yellow gold, but the addition of the steel (Rolex calls this two-tone combination ‘Rolesor’) softens the watch’s aesthetic and makes it look less Austen Tayshus, if you catch our drift.

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“We know that Rolex is, by and large, a rather conservative watchmaker. Yet, on some occasions, the brand can be bold. And Rolex does play a lot with materials and colour combinations… This combination of a Rolesor case/bracelet with a bright green dial and bezel is undoubtedly striking, but it is certainly in line with some of the brand’s more colourful and daring launches of late,” Monochrome Watches‘ Brice Goulard explains.

This delightfully Australian green and gold combination works so well, so we thought we’d highlight a few watches you can buy right now that feature a similar look.

Longines HydroConquest

First up, we have the Longines HydroConquest. This stylish dive watch can be had in a wide variety of dial colour combinations, case treatments, movements, bracelets and case sizes, but we reckon this two-tone steel and gold green model with an automatic mechanical movement (ref. L3.781.3.06.7) is the cream of the crop.

Fans of the Submariner will find a lot to like with this capable diver, with its 300m of water resistance, screw-down crown, ceramic bezel, super-bright lume and chunky hands… But it’s a lot thinner than the Submariner at 11.9mm whilst also having a slightly larger 41mm case size. Its Longines L888 movement also boasts a 72 hour power reserve compared to the Rolex’s 70 hours.

Unlike the Submariner, the HydroConquest’s rose gold finish is just that, a finish. It’s PVD instead of solid gold. But for AU$2,925, it’s a fifth of the retail price of a stainless steel Sub – and many, many times cheaper than a ‘Hulk.’

Tissot Chrono XL Classic

If you like green and gold but would prefer a chronograph over a dive watch, Tissot have got you covered. The Chrono XL Classic is one of the most underrated models in the brand’s collection, actually: it’s sporty and masculine but thing and dressy enough to suit formal occasions.

Like the Longines, the Tissot Chrono XL Classic in green and gold (ref. T116.617.22.091.00) is stainless steel with a PVD yellow gold coating, so it’s not quite the same as Rolex’s Rolesor… But value’s the name of the game here, and the Tissot presents a truly fabulous value proposition at only AU$700.

That’s a very reasonable figure for a proper Swiss Made chrono, especially one as good-looking as this one. We don’t know how Tissot do it for the money, frankly.

Rado Captain Cook Bi-Colour

Okay, this watch isn’t green and gold per se, but this is such an elegantly executed two-tone dive watch that we couldn’t help but throw it in. The Rado Captain Cook, like the Rolex Submariner, is one of the most iconic and enduring dive watch designs of the 20th century, and it looks killer in two-tone.

The Captain Cook Bi-Colour’s (ref. R32138153) sharp, retro design perfectly suits this metal combination, especially on that beautiful ‘rice grain’ bracelet. It’s like a cascade of little gold bars… Like the other two watches on this list, the gold is PVD and you can have this baby with either a yellow or rose gold finish.

Check out more about the Rado Captain Cook Bi-Colour here.

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The post Someone Created An ‘Australian’ Rolex Submariner… And It’s A Bloody Ripper appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Economy sucks. The last thing you need is naughty neighbours or inconsiderate seatmates (you know: the type that get up a million times to do in flight yoga and kick their shoes off the second the plane reaches cruising altitude). But as good of a passenger you might think you are, there’s apparently a grevious economy sin you are probably committing, without even realising it’s annoying.

This sin – though it adds to your comfort – is notorious for making life hell for the person behind you. Confused? Allow the following video, by TikTok user @leads.to.keys, to explain how it all works.

TikTok user @lead.to.keys had a bit of viral success with her story, which details how she wanted to recline, but was asked by the person behind her not to, so that they could use their latop. It was a 6-hour flight.

The story sparked debate in the comments section, with some saying it’s time to get rid of the recline button for good, and others saying (basically), “you’ll take my legroom but you’ll never take my freedom.”

TikTok user @lifeoutdooriseasy wrote: “Frequent flyer here… I never recline my seat out of respect for those behind me. The recline doesn’t make much difference for you anyways.”

Another TikTok user, @CC, who claims to be a flight attendant, wrote: “As a flight attendant, this is so petty. They have the right to recline. You can recline too. You want everyone to accommodate you?”

Another said: “I despise it when people recline.”

The anti recline rhetoric continued with comments like: “Sorry it really bugs me when people recline their seats..have a bit of consideration for the person behind or else pre book the last row!” and “It infuriates me when person reclines in front of me. Airlines have made the space between seats so ridiculous that I feel claustrophobic! I never do!” rolling in.

“They shouldn’t allow the seat to recline. It makes barely a difference to the person in chair and completely invades the space of the person behind.”

TikTok user @FrownyDog

Not everyone thought you shouldn’t use the function though. One wrote: “You should be able to recline, It’s part of the seat. My opinion is that the seats shouldn’t have a recline function at all in economy.”

Another said: “Once had a tall bloke demand I didn’t decline on an overnight flight to St Lucia. No chance. Pay for extra legroom or don’t go.”

The best-balanced view? We reckon it’s the following comment: “I’d say plane etiquette is only reclining your seat during sleep time. I once had someone who kept reclining when I was trying to eat my breakfast…”

If only people could just follow the etiquette rules. This is why we can’t have nice things.

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The post The ‘Grevious’ Economy Sin You Are Probably Committing…Without Even Knowing It appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s almost been two years since the global COVID-19 pandemic began and changed life as we knew it. And yet, there are still some among us – including renowned tennis player Novak Djokovic – who refused to get vaccinated against COVID; even though trained and qualified doctors and scientists highly recommend getting those shots for prevention and protection.

This isn’t the first time that people have put their – or their child’s – health at risk by not vaccinating though. Smallpox, an infectious disease that was rampant in the 18th and 20th centuries killed millions of people, which is why a vaccine was developed in 1796. It was thanks to this vaccine that smallpox was eventually completely eradicated in 1980; no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since.

Many of those who have chosen not to get the COVID vaccine have made this decision because the vaccines were ‘developed too quickly’; despite various renowned health organisations around the world deeming that they are safe, and were developed without compromising quality, safety and effectiveness. But the smallpox vaccine, which was relatively unchanged from 1796 to 1980, was the first vaccine EVER. And it was undoubtedly effective.

Just take a look at this photo from the early 1900s Instagram user @historyphotographed posted. Taken by Dr Alan Walker at Isolation Hospital, located in Leicester, UK, the photo shows two thirteen-year-old boys who were both exposed to the same smallpox source at school on the same day. The boy on the right was vaccinated against smallpox at birth, whereas the boy on the left wasn’t vaccinated against smallpox at all.

The stark difference between the two boys’ smallpox symptoms is shocking. Of course, people are applauding the post and @historyphotographed for highlighting the importance of vaccination. One Instagram user commented:

“Yay for science and vaccines!”

Another user wrote, “this is good. People need [to see] this.”

People are also commenting their anti-vax views under the post. So perhaps we haven’t come as far in regards to trusting the science, as a society, in the last couple of hundred years as we thought. C’est la vie.

• Mythbusters ‘Contamination’ Experiment Proves Why Social Distancing Is So Damn Important
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The post Shocking Smallpox Photo Shows The Benefits Of Vaccination appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There’s never been more interest in luxury watches than there is right now in 2022.

Maybe it’s got to do with the global ascendancy of hip-hop – rappers love talking about Hublot and Rolex, don’tcha know. Maybe it’s because the economy is in the toilet and people are interested in alternative asset classes. Maybe it’s because Gen Z and millennials are more switched-on to fashion and luxury than previous generations, or because of China’s growing wealth.

Yet at the same time, smartwatches are increasingly becoming the status symbol of choice for many young people and professionals… And, paradoxically, fewer people actually wear watches than ever before, as we all just use our mobile phones to tell the time.

So why care about watches, especially expensive ones? Millionaire entrepreneur and business coach Brad Lea explained during an episode of his podcast, Dropping Bombs, which he shared on social media late last week.

Brad explains that even if you’re not impressed by high-end watches or feel the need to wear one, “believe it or not, people do care.”

He used his friend, who owns a US$300,000 Patek Philippe Nautilus as an example: “when you have a watch of that magnitude on your wrist, and the right people know what that is, it instantly puts you in a credibility situation or a conversation position like you wouldn’t believe.”

“I might look over and see you and your lady at a restaurant and say ‘babe, that’s a $400,000 watch, who is that dude?’ That’s why you want to wear kick-ass watches and flex.”

“Same thing with cars, same thing with neighbourhoods, same thing with country clubs. You’re going to get people talking.”

RELATED: The Most Expensive Watches Ever, As Of 2022

It’s a pretty good piece of advice, actually. Complementing someone’s watch is a great icebreaker in a business or social context: even if you don’t wear or care about expensive watches, it behoves you to learn a bit about them… Of course, it’s also a reason why you should consider wearing one yourself.

Our take? Watches aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. Wear and talk about watches because you like them, not because you feel obliged to. That said, we’d be lying if we didn’t enjoy the ego-boost having someone compliment your watch gives you. Just putting that out there.

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The post Business Mogul Shares The Real Reason You Should Care About & Wear Luxury Watches appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When it was announced in February that the sci-fi animated series Futurama would be returning to our screens with a revival produced by Hulu, fans of the cult classic show began to rejoice.

However, shortly after the revival’s announcement, it was also announced that while Billy West (the voice of Fry) and Katey Sagal (the voice of Leela) – as well as other members of the original cast – had signed on to reprise their respective roles, John DiMaggio, who voices the fan-favourite, booze-drinking, smart-mouthed robot Bender, had not.

It was reported that DiMaggio hadn’t signed on to voice Bender in the revival because he was negotiating with Hulu for more money to do so. Fans quickly took to Twitter to support DiMaggio using the hashtag ‘bendergate’ and even threatened to boycott the Futurama revival if Hulu didn’t manage to get DiMaggio. DiMaggio himself eventually wrote on Twitter:

“… just to be clear, I don’t think that only I deserve to be paid more. I think the entire cast does. Negotiations are a natural part of working in show business… Bender is a part of my soul & nothing about this is meant to be disrespectful to the fans or my Futurama family. It’s about self-respect. And honestly, being tired of an industry that’s become far too corporate and takes advantage of artist’s time & talent.”

But, in the words of Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth, now there’s some “good news, everyone” concerning DiMaggio and the Futurama revival. Because today, according to Deadline, DiMaggio has finally reached a deal with Hulu and the actor will indeed voice Bender in the revival, which is set for a 2023 release. In a statement DiMaggio said:

“I’M BACK, BABY! So damn grateful for the love and support of fans and colleagues alike during this whole time – especially my wife, Kate – and I cannot wait to get back to work with my Futurama family.

#Bendergate is officially over, so put it on the back of a shelf behind Xmas decorations, or maybe in that kitchen drawer with all of the other crap you put in there like old unusable crazy glue, or maybe even put it in a jar you save farts in. Whatever floats your boat, I don’t care, you get the picture. I’M BACK, BABY! BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS!”

Futurama’s creators, Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons) and David X. Cohen – who are also returning to work on the revival – were thrilled with the news that DiMaggio would return, with Groening commenting, “from the moment John DiMaggio auditioned last century, we knew we had our Bender. So congrats to everyone at Futurama. We’re all back, baby!”

The Futurama revival will consist of 20 episodes and will premiere on Hulu, meaning it’s likely that the revival will be available for Australians to watch on Disney+ Australia, as most Hulu original content is released onto Disney+.

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The post The ‘Futurama’ Reboot Now Has A Chance To Be Good appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Airbus is testing a hydrogen-fuelled engine on an A380 jet. That’s right: one of those great big jets which, despite being much loved for their size, are slowly going extinct thanks to a combination of COVID-19, a lack of demand and more cost-efficient new technology.

But the only way to stay relevant in this world is to be constantly improving. And perhaps Airbus’ latest experiment with an A380 could save the mighty jet from extinction (a few airlines still fly it for long haul flights but its numbers are certainly dwindling).

Airbus plans to launch the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035, and it is using an A380 for testing.

To conduct the test Airbus will trial (and monitor) hydrogen fuel technology inside a modified version of one of its A380 jetliners. The A380 jetliners were discontinued last year due to the low number of planes sold (Airbus’ head of business analysis and market forecast Bob Lange said: “In the end, you have to face facts, and we could see that we were building A380s faster than people were ordering them”).

Back to the hydrogen test though: Airbus has partnered with CFM International (a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aviation, a division of General Electric of the United States, and Safran Aircraft Engines) to conduct the trial. Airbus says it will use an “A380 flying testbed fitted with liquid hydrogen tanks” to test propulsion technology for its future emissions free aircraft.

In a video on Airbus’ Youtube page, Glenn Llewellyn, a top-tier leader on climate strategy for aviation and the VP of Zero Emission Aircraft at Airbus, said: “Now our plan is to take this [A380 aircraft] and modify it into a hydrogen propulsion flight laboratory.”

He added: “Our ambition is to take this aircraft and add a stub in between the two rear doors at the upper level. That stub will have a hydrogen-powered gas turbine on the end of it and inside the aircraft there will be hydrogen storage and hydrogen distribution, which will feed this engine with hydrogen.”

“The aim of this flight laboratory will be to learn a huge amount about hydrogen propulsion systems in real ground and flight conditions.”

Glenn Llewellyn

“This is key in enabling us to achieve our ambition of having a zero-emission aircraft in commercial service by 2035.”

The Airbus video then takes you inside the main deck where you can see how different this ‘Frankenstein’ jet looks compared to a commercial A380.

In the middle of the main deck you can see liquid hydrogen tanks in the middle, which Mr Llewellyn explains “will be surrounded by a hermetically sealed container.” From those tanks liquid hydrogen will be taken up to the engine, which will be located at the rear on the outside of the aircraft.

Mr Llewellyn also says that the large A380 aircraft was chosen because its size will allow Airbus to evolve the technology over time

“There will be a huge amount of instrumentation and sensors to give information on how these systems function during both ground and flight conditions,” he said, explaining how data will be relayed back to the flight test station allowing the test engineers to operate the tests in real-time during the flight.

According to atag.com, “Worldwide, flights produced 915 million tonnes of CO2 in 2019” and “globally, humans produced over 43 billion tonnes of CO2.”

So it’s safe to say if Airbus’ tests pay off, they’re really going to pay off (both for the environment and the company‘s bottom line)…

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The post Airbus Finds Smart Way To Save The A380 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Some have said Sydney lacks the hip accommodations found in other major international hubs, but we’d wager these best Sydney hotels beg to differ.

In one corner, we have the sophisticated standard-bearers that continue to pamper guests in five-star style. In the other, we have a band of boutique, trailblazing hotels opening new urban escapes for discerning jetsetters to call home.

Next time your travels take you to Sydney, check out (and check into) the best hotels in Sydney according to us… because we’ve stayed at them.

The Collectionist 

No normal hotel, The Collectionist is less a group of rooms and more a selection of canvases. Located between Newtown and Glebe, close to Sydney Uni, this hotel is a must-stay for anyone looking to soak up Sydney’s inner city buzz and/or embrace their alter-ego hipster. Start off your  weekend with some fresh produce from Paddy’s market, before reclining into the evening in the most ‘happening’ place in Sydney.

While you stay here you’ll be surrounded with entertainment options, from catching a show at the Enmore Theatre to tuning up your eye for the abstract at Carriegeworks’ artists hub. 

“One of these hotels that I spent there like no one else. It was a very unique experience, with all of its pros and cons.”

Tam K (Tripavisor)

The Old Clare Hotel

Once a sticky-floored sanctuary in which to drown your after work sorrows or share a schooner or two, the Old Clare Hotel is a world away from its days as a pub and brewery. A recent revamp, courtesy of hotelier Loh Lik Peng and architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, has transformed the two heritage-listed buildings into a creative, playful and luxurious urban hideaway worthy of the emerging Chippendale arts and culture scene.

Old Clare is a DMARGE favourite and one of the best hotels in Sydney.

“They provided us with the best recommendations, from fine dining to finding the best street side pot pies.”

Shefali Vyas (tripadvisor)

Pier One Sydney Harbour

Dog-friendly luxury hotel on Sydney Harbour

There’s nothing quite like an iconic Sydney view, and Pier One delivers the goods with a prime location alongside the Harbour Bridge. Natural light, contemporary art and Federation-style touches create a welcoming and stylish atmosphere for a romantic weekend or a business trip.

Even dogs are welcome, and those who wish to pamper their pup can opt for a minibar loaded with dog-friendly snacks.

“Had the pleasure of a short stay and was actually blown away by the stellar staff, delicious food and very comfortable bed.”

gabrielef527 (Tripadvisor)

Establishment Hotel

A warehouse in a former life, the 31-room Establishment Hotel is now an exceedingly stylish destination with an earthy-chic vibe (and luxe Bulgari bathroom amenities).

You’ll find this uber-cool spot in the heart of Sydney’s buzzing business district, delivering easy access to Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Royal Botanic Garden. But with three restaurants, three bars, a nightclub and a private gym, you may never want to leave.

InterContinental Sydney Double Bay

The InterContinental Group breathed new life into an old Sydney establishment with the opening of the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. Once a Ritz-Carlton and a Sir Stamford, the hotel takes full advantage of its harbourside location in its latest iteration. The rooftop pool and bar are designed for unforgettable days soaking up the Southern Hemisphere sun, sipping cocktails and enjoying snacks from the all-day menu.

Park Hyatt Sydney

The best luxury hotel in Sydney

The Park Hyatt offers 155 spacious accommodations with private balconies, 24-hour butler service, and a day spa with a rooftop pool and sundeck. Dine at local-favourite restaurants The Dining Room and The Living Room, imbibe at the waterfront bar, and peruse commissioned works of art from renowned artists at The Gallery.

For a more exclusive experience, hire The Study and its impressive internal wine cellar for a private event or meeting.

“Beautiful rooms and food, and the perfect place to stay to travel to the theatre for a show.”

Melissa B (Tripadvisor)

Primus Hotel

Believe it or not, this ode to Art Deco glamour was once home to the headquarters of the Sydney Water Board. Fortunately, it’s come a long way from its sewerage days, and now stands as one of the city’s most audaciously glam outposts.

The Primus Hotel’s six storeys encompass 172 luxurious rooms, a lobby bar, an all-day dining restaurant, event spaces, and a rooftop oasis that was formerly a rifle range.

QT Sydney CBD

The best quirky Sydney hotel

The 200 guest suites that make up the QT Sydney have been carefully crafted within the historic Gowings and State Theatre buildings. Visitors are treated to a distinctive blend of gothic, art deco and Italian architecture, mixed with quirky and contemporary interior design.

The well-appointed guest rooms feature luxurious bedding, high-speed Internet, walk-in showers and, in most cases, an indulgent ,oversized soaking tub. Head to the lower levels for the Gilt Lounge and Robert Marchetti’s Gowings Bar & Grill.

Ovolo Woolloomooloo

Quirky meets glam meets heritage at Ovolo Woolloomooloo. The latest incarnation of Sydney’s historic Finger Wharf brings artsy aesthetics and a sense of humour to the harbour. Step inside and you’ll feel like you’re at the centre of an edgy NYC warehouse party with a touch of Australia’s effortless flair. Every aspect of the hotel embodies the Ovolo brand to a T: eclectic, energetic, youthful and cheeky, served with free wi-fi and a complimentary minibar.

Veriu Broadway

Sydney welcomed Veriu Broadway to its hospitality scene in 2017. Following an $18 million conversion of a former textile warehouse, Veriu Broadway offers guests their choice of self-contained studios and one- and two-bedroom loft style apartments. Every room boasts wi-fi, a smartphone and a smart TV, with most also featuring a kitchen and laundry so they truly feel like home away from home. The hotel also offers complimentary bikes for exploring the neighbourhood.

QT Bondi

The Swiss Grand Hotel underwent a makeover and name change in 2015, reopening its doors as part of the prestigious QT hotel group and rapidly becoming one of the best Eastern Suburb stays. The QT Bondi offers spacious rooms (for Sydney) designed with light woods and bright colours for 24/7 beach holiday vibes. It’s an appropriately laid-back, yet sophisticated, addition to the city’s most famous stretch of sand.

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

Meet the new go-to address for doing business in Sydney. The Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour opened at the end of 2017 opposite the new International Convention Centre, becoming the first new-build five-star hotel to arrive in the city since it hosted the Olympics. Expectations are accordingly high, but with over 500 rooms exuding French elegance, a swanky Champagne Bar, the hotel chain’s signature restaurant Atelier, a rooftop infinity pool, and extensive meeting and event spaces, Sofitel shows nothing but promise.

Hotel Palisade

The five-storey Hotel Palisade houses just eight rooms across its middle floors, sandwiched between a ground floor pub and a two-level rooftop bar.

The rooms have a tranquil feel with subtle nautical shades and marine murals by local artist Neill Mallard, and if you’re lucky enough to score a north-facing number, you’ll have spectacular views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Darling

The Darling recently earned the prestigious Forbes five-star rating for the second year running in the publication’s annual list of the world’s best hotels, restaurants and spas. It’s merely the most recent in a string of accolades for the hotel, which calls itself a “cocktail of courtesy, charisma and charm” that “oozes glamorous individuality” and “epitomises the pinnacle of luxury.” The Darling won’t be winning any awards for humility, but it ticks nearly every box for an exemplary stay.

West Hotel Sydney, Curio Collection by Hilton

All signs point to West Hotel Sydney, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, becoming a modern classic despite only opening its doors a few months ago. The hotel marries urban elegance with natural serenity, incorporating elements of Mother Nature in unexpected places.

A white waratah flower motif decorates the lobby and a floral-inspired carpet design graces the guest rooms. Modern Australian fare is the order of the day at Solander Dining, named after first fleet botanist Daniel Solander.

The highlight is an open-air garden atrium at the heart of the hotel, home to lush green foliage and a bar serving botanical-inspired cocktails.

Crown Sydney

The latest addition to Sydney’s luxury hotel scene is the incredible 6-star Crown Casino. Located on the city fringe in Barangaroo, it’s the pinnacle of modern luxury. Boasting 75 floors, the Crown Sydney tower offers guests expansive views of Sydney Harbour, perfectly appointed rooms, Sydney’s best hotel pool and an extensive number of great restaurants to try.

“I always wondered what sets 6 star apart from 5 star. Now I know. “

Kathy R (Tripadvisor)

The post 10 Best Hotels In Sydney For The Ultimate Staycation appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Russia has become a global pariah thanks to its invasion of Ukraine. Not only have many countries levied tough sanctions against Russia and some of its most powerful individuals, including President Vladimir Putin, but now even businesses and average citizens are boycotting Russia and supporting Ukraine, too.

Something a lot of businesses across the world have been doing is boycotting Russian vodka brands. Vodka is, of course, one of Russia’s most famous exports and a highly symbolic product, so it makes sense. Bartenders are pouring vodka down the drain and liquor stores in Europe, North America and Australia have pulled Russian products from their shelves. Read more on that here.

But before you go reaching for your favourite bottle of rotgut and start tipping it down the toilet, just wait a minute. Many vodka brands that you might assume are Russian are actually not Russian at all.

For example, Smirnoff, one of the world’s most popular vodka brands, is owned by Diageo – a British company – and if you buy a bottle of Smirnoff in Australia, chances are it was made locally, or in the United States.

So don’t waste good vodka. We here at DMARGE have put together a list of quality non-Russian vodka brands that you should consider purchasing if you too want to pour Putin down the drain and stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

Best Non-Russian Vodka FAQ

The post 6 Best Non-Russian Vodkas For Those Who Want To Support Ukraine appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Russia has become a global pariah thanks to its invasion of Ukraine. Not only have many countries levied tough sanctions against Russia and some of its most powerful individuals, including President Vladimir Putin, but now even businesses and average citizens are boycotting Russia and supporting Ukraine, too.

UEFA and Formula 1 have cancelled high-profile Russian events. Hacker group Anonymous has launched DDoS attacks against RT and the Russian Ministry of Defence. Chicken kievs are flying off supermarket shelves across the world… Now, Australia’s top liquor store chains are pulling Russia’s most famous export – vodka – from their shelves in a show of solidarity with Ukraine.

Endeavour Group, which owns Dan Murphy’s (the single biggest bottle shop chain in the country), BWS, Jimmy Brings and hundreds of hotels across Australia, has quickly enacted a company-wide boycott of Russian products.

“As an organisation, Endeavour Group is deeply concerned with the situation in Ukraine and we join the calls for peace,” a spokesperson said in a statement yesterday.

This is huge: Endeavour (which was recently spun out of supermarket giant Woolworths) alone controls around 50% of the entire liquor retail market in Australia, so their choice to pull Russian products will have immediate and obvious consequences. It’s also highly symbolic, as vodka is easily the most internationally recognised Russian good.

RELATED: Elon Musk Is Doing More For Ukraine Than US Sanctions

Already, BWS and Dan Murphy’s customers are reporting bare shelves where Russian vodka brands have been pulled. Dan Murphy’s webstore has also scrubbed all mentions of Russian vodkas, and have deleted Russia from their country of origin filters.

Coles, Endeavour’s main rival in the liquor store space, is yet to follow their competitor in pulling Russian alcohol from shelves, ABC News reports.

Endeavour’s move follows similar moves made by businesses across the Western world, including in the United States, where many stores and private citizens alike have been pouring Russian vodka down the drain in further signs of solidarity.

Some Russian vodka brands that are popular in Australia that will be affected by Endeavour’s boycott include Beluga, Stolichnaya and Russian Standard. Many brands that you might assume are Russian are not, however: for example, if you buy a bottle of Smirnoff in Australia, chances are it was made locally, or in the United States.

We here at DMARGE have also put together a list of quality non-Russian vodka brands that you should consider purchasing if you too want to pour Putin down the drain.

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The post Australia’s Biggest Liquor Stores Ban Russian Vodkas From Shelves appeared first on DMARGE Australia.