Sazerac Sued for “Double Barreled” Trademark Infringement

Prichard’s Distillery Inc., maker of Benjamin Prichard’s Double Barreled Bourbon, has filed a lawsuit against Sazerac Co. alleging that the liquor manufacturer has violated its trademark in “double barreled” by selling A. Smith Bowman Limited Edition Double Barrel Bourbon Whiskey and Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection Double Barreled, a bourbon. Prichard’s Distillery Inc. v. Sazerac Co., No. 14-1646 (U.S. Dist. Ct., M.D. Tenn., filed August 11, 2014). Prichard’s claims that it has owned a trademark on the use of “double barreled” in liquor sales since 2002, and the term comes from Prichard’s distilling process, which involves aging the bourbon in one barrel, diluting it to a lower proof, then aging it in a second barrel to reinforce the flavor. The company seeks an injunction preventing Sazerac from using “double barreled” on its products as well as damages multiplied due to Sazerac’s “willful and wrongful conduct.”

Issue 535