Angel’s Envy Rye in ‘small batch’ lawsuit

Angel’s Envy Rye whiskey is the latest brand to find itself in the midst of a legal battle for allegedly misleading consumers about being a small batch product.

Angel’s Envy Rye whiskey is the latest spirit brand to be hit with a “small batch” lawsuit

According to reports by Legal Newsline, Mario Aliano and Due Fratelli Inc. filed a lawsuit on 28 October 2014 in Cook County, Illinois, Circuit Court against Louisville Distilling Company claiming the firm lied about its handcrafted whiskey Angel’s Envy Rye.

The lawsuit states the whiskey is produced by distiller Lincoln Henderson in Bardstown, Kentucky, and advertised as “small batch”, but is actually made and aged by MPG Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, which manufactures whiskey in large amounts for other brands.

“As such, Angel’s Envy is not ‘small batch…that’s rare in both number and content’,” the lawsuit said. “To the contrary, it is made with the same recipe that all MGP rye whiskey is made with: 95% rye and 5% barley.”

As such, the lawsuit is seeking damages of US$5 million plus court costs.

A string of spirits brands were also hit with “small bath” and “handmade” lawsuits last year, including Tito’s Vodka, Templeton Rye and Maker’s Mark.

Furthermore, an advocacy group urged consumers who have purchased bottles of American whiskey claiming to be “small batch” to take legal action.