Spirits Powerhouse Sazerac Gears Up for Trademark Battle Against Coffee-Flavored Vodka Brand
(Photos: Red Cabin Bourbon/Facebook, Sazerac)
Sazerac, the Louisiana-based spirits giant behind Buffalo Trace, Fireball, Van Winkle and more, is ramping up a lawsuit against Wisconsin’s Central Standard Distillery and one of its newest spirits.
In a complaint filed on Friday, Sazerac argued that Central Standard’s recently released Daily Grind vodka bares an undue similarity to its own Grind Espresso Shot rum liqueur. Sazerac claims that both bottles capitalize “Grind” in a similar fashion, are sold alongside one another at the same stores and are advertised for use in identical cocktails.
“More than a decade after Sazerac began using GRIND, Central Standard launched its DAILY GRIND coffee-flavored vodka into the U.S. marketplace. This unauthorized coexistence is likely to cause substantial amounts of confusion amongst the relevant consuming public for numerous reasons,” said Sazerac lawyers in their lawsuit.
“Central Standard was put on notice regarding its infringing conduct, but it has refused to cease its infringing use. Consequently, Sazerac has no choice but to initiate this action in order to protect its valuable rights.”
Sazerac has requested that Daily Grind be removed from liquor store shelves and that the company be awarded profits from sales of the product.
Based out of Milwaukee, Central Standard is best known for brands including Red Cabin Bourbon, North Wisconsin Brandy and Guided Trail Gin. The distiller’s products — which emphasize locally sourced ingredients — can be found throughout Wisconsin and Illinois.
In contrast, Sazerac is the second largest spirits company in the US with roots dating back to 1850. Currently headed up by billionaire William Goldring, the company oversees a portfolio loaded with dozens of bourbons in addition to rum, tequila, vodka, brandy and more.
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