The world-renowned Explorers Club — whose celebrated members range from Sir Ernest Shackleton to Buzz Aldrin — slapped the parent company of Johnnie Walker with a lawsuit Friday for stealing its name for a new whisky brand.Â
Liquor giant Diageo launched a line of “Explorers’ Club” whiskies in duty-free shops in late 2012.
The vaunted, 120-year-old club, headquartered at an East 70th Street mansion, owns the trademark on “The Explorers Club” name and sent a cease-and-desist letter to Diageo last spring.
“Diageo’s use of the Explorers Club name is likely to deceive, and in fact already has deceived, the public into believing that Diageo’s products are affiliated with The Explorers Club,” the Manhattan civil suit says.
“The Explorers’ Club Collection currently consists of the Trade Route Series, a set of three whiskies labeled The Spice Road, The Gold Route and The Royal Route,” according to the Manhattan civil suit.
The whisky label is printed in a font that is “confusingly similar” to the one used by the club.
The liquor company has even modeled its airport tasting kiosks after the interior design of the club with wood paneling, beamed ceilings and a standing globe.
A sales rep at one of the stores said the whisky was made at the NYC club, according to court papers.
The Explorers Club, a not-for-profit organization, wants the liquor company to stop selling the new brand or cough up licensing fees. It filed suit after negotiations with Diageo broke down.
Club members “are responsible for the most iconic achievements in exploration” with such distinctions as being the first to reach the North and South poles, the first to summit Mount Everest and the first to the moon.
The group continues to sponsor expeditions, funds student research and hosts events.
Diageo did not immediately return a message for comment.