Sazerac Faces Lawsuits Over Fireball Cinnamon With No Whisky

Fireball Whisky maker Sazerac Co. is facing several proposed class suits alleging it tricks consumers into thinking a nearly identically named and packaged “Fireball Cinnamon” malt beverage is a mini-version of the real thing.

“Consumer confusion is widespread,” Christopher McKay says in a suit filed Feb. 3 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Sazerac’s flagship product, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, has been sold in the US since 1989, McKay’s suit says. It’s a Canadian whisky with added cinnamon syrup and sweeteners. The whisky is 66 proof or 33% alcohol by volume, he says.

Real Fireball—sold at ...