William Grant threatens to sue New Zealand Whisky Company

William Grant & Sons has engaged in a legal battle with the New Zealand Whisky Company over claims of trademark infringement.

Dunedin Doublewood is contesting the allegation by William Grant & Sons that the Kiwi brand’s name confuses consumers

The Scottish whisky giant is suing Dunedin Doublewood, owned by the Kiwi distillers, as it claims its name confuses consumers with William Grant’s The Balvenie Doublewood expression.

However, Dunedin Doublewood has argued that it has not breached the Fair Trading Act as The Balvenie did not trademark the name in New Zealand until last year, five years after the Dunedin brand started selling.

The company also claimed that consumers would not be confused by the shared name as the Dunedin Doublewood bottle features a map of New Zealand, adding that the name simply reflects the expression’s distillation process which involves aging in both American Bourbon barrels and French oak New Zealand barrels.

Auckland lawyers Simpson Grierson, representing Willliam Grant & Sons, said that the company was “simply seeking to protect” its legal rights and international reputation.

The Kiwi spirit is produced by the New Zealand Whisky Company at its maturation store in Oamaru after the Willowbank distillery ceased operation in 1997.