The key facts
- MAC's tax debt has reached 110 million rubles, with accounts frozen in five banks
- The company owns the Baikal, Baikalskaya Proba, Nerpa, Kedr and Charmel brands
- Former owner of an affiliated company Maxim Stakhov was ordered to pay about 9.2 billion rubles
Tax Debts and Frozen Accounts
The Moscow Alcohol Company (MAC), which holds the rights to a number of well-known vodka brands, is facing the threat of bankruptcy. According to the Telegram channel Baza, the company's tax debt has reached 110 million rubles, and partners are demanding more than seven million more. The financial problems began in mid-2026: the company intended to liquidate itself, but claims from counterparties complicated the process. As early as summer, the Federal Tax Service tried to collect the debt through bailiffs, and by mid-October the company's accounts had been frozen in five banks.
The Fate of the Brands in Question
The company owns the trademarks Baikal, Baikalskaya Proba, Nerpa, Kedr and Charmel. A possible bankruptcy calls into question the future of these brands. If the court declares the company insolvent, the rights to the brands may be sold to repay debts to creditors. Another scenario involves the expiration of the trademark registrations: if the current rights are not renewed, other manufacturers will be able to try to register these designations for themselves.
A Precedent Involving an Affiliated Company
Companies associated with the Baikal and Nerpa vodka brands have already faced serious tax claims. In 2025, a court barred the Alcohol Production Company, which also produced products under these brands, from carrying out voluntary liquidation, and the organization was subsequently declared bankrupt. In September 2026, the court proceedings ended with major financial obligations for the company's former owner and general director Maxim Stakhov: he was ordered to pay about 9.2 billion rubles to cover the company's debts.
Industry Context
Life.ru previously reported that the Latvian producer of Riga Black Balsam — the company Amber Latvijas balzams — is also under threat of bankruptcy amid financial difficulties. Its tax debt in early October amounted to about 28.38 million euros.
