Judge dismisses suit accusing bourbon maker of false advertising for claim it's 'handcrafted'

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing a Kentucky bourbon producer of false advertising for claiming its product is handcrafted.

The suit against Jim Beam was dismissed by federal Judge Larry Alan Burns in San Diego.

Plaintiff Scott Welk said he was enticed by the handcrafted claim to buy a bottle of Jim Beam. The suit said the labeling enables Beam to sell bourbon at a higher price because consumers connect handcrafted with high-end products.

In dismissing the suit last Friday, Burns said a reasonable consumer wouldn't interpret "handcrafted" to mean whiskey literally created by hand.

Beam's parent, Beam Suntory Inc., said Monday it's pleased with the ruling.

Plaintiff's attorney Abbas Kazerounian says a decision whether to appeal hasn't been made.

Similar suits against Maker's Mark bourbon were dismissed this year.