Judge rejects lawsuit accusing Maker's Mark of false advertising for 'handmade' bourbon claim

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that accused Maker's Mark distillery of false advertising for promoting its bourbon as handmade.

Two California plaintiffs said they were misled by the Kentucky bourbon producer's handmade claim on its bottles, known for their red-wax seal.

They said the claim enticed them to purchase Maker's Mark instead of a less expensive whiskey.

Their lawsuit was dismissed this week by U.S. District Judge John A. Houston in California. The judge said a reasonable consumer would not interpret the handmade claim to mean no equipment or automated process was used to manufacture the whiskey.

Plaintiff attorney Mona Amini said Wednesday they are still reviewing the ruling.

Clarkson Hine, a spokesman for Beam Suntory, parent of Maker's, says the company was confident it would prevail.