Case: 1:23-cv-00097 Document #: 1 Filed: 01/07/23 Page 1 of 11 PageID #:1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION

Anna Marquez, individually and on behalf of all 1:23-cv-00097

others similarly situated,
Plaintiff,

- against - Class Action Complaint

Sazerac Company, Inc.,

Jury Trial Demanded
Defendant

Plaintiff alleges upon information and belief, except for allegations about Plaintiff, which

are based on personal knowledge:

1. Sazerac Company, Inc. (“Defendant”) manufactures, markets, and sells cinnamon

whisky under the Fireball brand.

2. Within the past few years, purchasers noticed what appeared to be its availability “in

supermarkets [and convenience stores] in small bottles for 99 cents.”

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3. One writer who saw a “huge Fireball display in front of the cash register [] at a gas

station” wondered if “th[at] specific store [was] doing something they’re not supposed to be

doing[?]” by selling “cinnamon flavored whiskey!!”1

4. Liquor stores reported a decline in sales of Fireball cinnamon whisky, confirmed by

their customers who told them they preferred to purchase it for lower prices elsewhere.2

5. Expecting those small bottles labeled “Fireball Cinnamon” to contain whiskey

“[was] an easy mistake to make, and one intended by the manufacturer.”

6. In fact, what consumers were purchasing at non-liquor stores “[was] not whisky at

all” even though “the[ir] labels are almost identical.”

7. When consumers “look closer [they] will see that it is actually called simply”

1
CJ McIntyre, Since When Can You Buy Fireball at Gas Stations in the Hudson Valley?, Hudson
Valley Country, May 14, 2021.
2
Steve Barnes, Fireball whisky minis in a supermarket? Actually, no, Table Hopping Blog, Albany
Times Union, Apr. 8, 2021.

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“‘Fireball Cinnamon (notice there’s no Whisky after the word Cinnamon) [which] is actually a

malt beverage” flavored to taste like its cinnamon whisky (the “Product”).

8. Unlike whisky which is a distilled spirit, a malt beverage is based on fermentation to

create a neutral base to which flavors and colors may be added (“Flavored Malt Beverage” or

“FMB”).

9. While federal and identical state regulations allow the Product’s use of the distilled

spirit brand name of Fireball, they prohibit the overall misleading impression created as to

“Fireball Cinnamon” version.

10. The bottles appear identical but for the word “Whisky” on the front label, which most

purchasers seeking alcohol will not even detect.

11. “Fireball” is not qualified with the word “brand,” which could alert purchasers what

they are buying has little connection to cinnamon whisky.

12. Even the Fireball Cinnamon’s statement of composition, in the smallest allowed size,

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draws particular attention to the apparent use of the distilled spirit of whisky, stating “Malt

Beverage With Natural Whisky & Other Flavors and Carmel Color.”

13. Using the words “With Natural Whisky & Other Flavors” is a clever turn of phrase

because consumers who strain to read this will see how it “Natural Whisky” is distinct from “Other

Flavors.”

14. They will think the Product is a malt beverage with added (1) natural whisky and (2)

other flavors.

15. What the label means to say is that the Product contains “Natural Whisky Flavors &

Other Flavors,” but by not including the word “Flavors” after “Natural Whisky,” purchasers who

look closely will expect the distilled spirit of whisky was added as a separate ingredient.

16. However, even where a distilled spirit is used to manufacture flavors, it loses its class

and type when blended with other ingredients.

17. When viewed together with the Fireball distilled spirit brand name, the label misleads

consumers into believing it is or contains distilled spirits.

18. As a result of the false and misleading representations, the Product is sold at a

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premium price, $0.99 for 50 mL.

Jurisdiction and Venue

19. Jurisdiction is based on the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 (“CAFA”). 28 U.S.C.

§ 1332(d)(2).

20. The aggregate amount in controversy exceeds $5 million, including any statutory and

punitive damages, exclusive of interest and costs.

21. Plaintiff is a citizen of Illinois.

22. Defendant is a citizen of New Orleans and Kentucky.

23. The class of persons Plaintiff seeks to represent includes persons who are citizens of

different states from which Defendant is a citizen.

24. The members of the class Plaintiff seeks to represent are more than 100, because the

Product has been sold with the representations described here from thousands of stores including

grocery stores, big box stores, gas stations and convenience stores, in the States Plaintiff seeks to

represent.

25. Venue is in this District with assignment to the Eastern Division because a substantial

part of the events or omissions giving rise to these claims occurred in Cook County, including

Plaintiff’s purchase, reliance on the identified statements, and subsequent awareness they were

false and misleading.

Parties

26. Plaintiff Anna Marquez is a citizen of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

27. Defendant Sazerac Company, Inc. is a New Orleans corporation with a principal

place of business in Kentucky.

28. Defendant manufactures and markets Fireball Cinnamon Whisky and Fireball

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Cinnamon.

29. Plaintiff purchased the Product at stores including but not necessarily limited to

Jewel-Osco, 8730 W Dempster St, Niles, Illinois 60714 in 2021 and/or 2022, and/or among other

times, at or around the above-referenced price.

30. Plaintiff is like many consumers of alcoholic beverages who prefers distilled spirits

or products containing distilled spirits to malt-based beverages.

31. Plaintiff saw the labeling elements of the Fireball Cinnamon and did not immediately

notice the differences from the Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.

32. Plaintiff expected the Fireball Cinnamon was whisky and/or contained whisky in a

non-de minimis amount.

33. Plaintiff paid more for the Product than she would have had she known the

representations and omissions were false and misleading, or would not have purchased it.

34. The value of the Product that Plaintiff purchased was materially less than its value

as represented by Defendant.

35. Plaintiff intends to, seeks to, and will purchase the Product again when she can do so

with the assurance its representations are consistent with its attributes and/or composition.

36. Plaintiff is unable to rely on the labeling of not only this Product, but other flavored

malt beverages which use the names of distilled spirits, because she is unsure of whether their

representations are truthful.

37. If Defendant’s labeling was truthful, she would have more confidence in the labeling

of other flavored malt beverages.

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Class Allegations

38. Plaintiff seeks certification under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23 of the following classes:

Illinois Class: All persons in the State of Illinois who

purchased the Product during the statutes of
limitations for each cause of action alleged; and

Consumer Fraud Multi-State Class: All persons in

the States of North Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho,
Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas,
Arizona, South Carolina and Utah who purchased the
Product during the statutes of limitations for each
cause of action alleged.

39. Common questions of issues, law, and fact predominate and include whether

Defendant’s representations were and are misleading and if Plaintiff and class members are entitled

to damages.

40. Plaintiff’s claims and basis for relief are typical to other members because all were

subjected to the same unfair, misleading, and deceptive representations, omissions, and actions.

41. Plaintiff is an adequate representative because her interests do not conflict with other

members.

42. No individual inquiry is necessary since the focus is only on Defendant’s practices

and the class is definable and ascertainable.

43. Individual actions would risk inconsistent results, be repetitive and are impractical

to justify, as the claims are modest relative to the scope of the harm.

44. Plaintiff’s counsel is competent and experienced in complex class action litigation

and intends to protect class members’ interests adequately and fairly.

45. Plaintiff seeks class-wide injunctive relief because the practices continue.

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Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act

(“ICFA”), 815 ILCS 505/1, et seq.

46. Plaintiff incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs.

47. Plaintiff expected the Product would contain distilled spirits in a non-de minimis or

non-negligible amount.

48. Plaintiff would not have purchased the Product or paid as much if the true facts had

been known, suffering damages.

Violation of State Consumer Fraud Acts

(Consumer Fraud Multi-State Class)

49. The Consumer Fraud Acts of the States in the Consumer Fraud Multi-State Class are

similar to the consumer protection statute invoked by Plaintiff and prohibit the use of unfair or

deceptive business practices in the conduct of commerce.

50. The members of the Consumer Fraud Multi-State Class reserve their rights to assert

their consumer protection claims under the Consumer Fraud Acts of the States they represent

and/or the consumer protection statute invoked by Plaintiff.

51. Defendant intended that members of the Consumer Fraud Multi-State Class would

rely upon its deceptive conduct, which they did, suffering damages.

Breaches of Express Warranty,

Implied Warranty of Merchantability/Fitness for a Particular Purpose
and Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2301, et seq.

52. The Product was manufactured, identified, marketed, and sold by Defendant and

expressly and impliedly warranted to Plaintiff that it would contain distilled spirits in a non-de

minimis or non-negligible amount.

53. Defendant directly marketed the Product to Plaintiff through its advertisements and

marketing, through various forms of media, on the packaging, in print circulars, direct mail,

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product descriptions, and targeted digital advertising.

54. Defendant knew the product attributes that potential customers like Plaintiff were

seeking and developed its marketing and labeling to directly meet their needs and desires, which

was the consumption of distilled spirits instead of a malt beverage.

55. The representations about the Product were conveyed in writing and promised it

would be defect-free, and Plaintiff understood this meant it would contain distilled spirits in a non-

de minimis or non-negligible amount.

56. Defendant’s representations affirmed and promised that the Product would contain

distilled spirits in a non-de minimis or non-negligible amount.

57. Defendant described the Product so Plaintiff believed it would contain distilled

spirits in a non-de minimis or non-negligible amount, which became part of the basis of the bargain

that it would conform to its affirmations and promises.

58. Defendant had a duty to disclose and/or provide non-deceptive promises,

descriptions and marketing of the Product.

59. This duty is based on Defendant’s outsized role in the market for cinnamon whisky

as the seller of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.

60. Plaintiff recently became aware of Defendant’s breach of the Product’s warranties.

61. Plaintiff provided or provides notice to Defendant, its agents, representatives,

retailers, and their employees that it breached the Product’s warranties.

62. Defendant received notice and should have been aware of these issues due to

complaints by consumers and third-parties, including regulators and competitors, to its main

offices and through online forums.

63. The Product did not conform to its affirmations of fact and promises due to

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Defendant’s actions.

64. The Product was not merchantable because it was not fit to pass in the trade as

advertised, not fit for the ordinary purpose for which it was intended and did not conform to the

promises or affirmations of fact made on the packaging, container, or label, because it was

marketed as if it would contain distilled spirits in a non-de minimis or non-negligible amount.

65. The Product was not merchantable because Defendant had reason to know the

particular purpose for which they were bought by Plaintiff, because she expected that it would

contain distilled spirits in a non-de minimis or non-negligible amount, and she relied on its skill

and judgment to select or furnish such a suitable product.

Negligent Misrepresentation

66. Defendant had a duty to truthfully represent the Product, which it breached.

67. This duty was non-delegable, based on Defendant’s position, holding itself out as

having special knowledge and experience in this area, the custodian of the Fireball brand of

cinnamon whisky.

68. The representations and omissions went beyond the specific representations on the

packaging, as they incorporated the extra-labeling promises and commitments to quality,

transparency and putting customers first Fireball has been known for.

69. These promises were outside of the standard representations that other companies

may make in a standard arms-length, retail context.

70. The representations took advantage of consumers’ cognitive shortcuts made at the

point-of-sale and their trust in Defendant.

71. Plaintiff reasonably and justifiably relied on these negligent misrepresentations and

omissions, which served to induce and did induce, her purchase of the Product.

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Fraud

72. Defendant misrepresented and/or omitted the attributes and qualities of the Product,

that it would contain distilled spirits in a non-de minimis or non-negligible amount.

Unjust Enrichment

73. Defendant obtained benefits and monies because the Product was not as represented

and expected, to the detriment and impoverishment of Plaintiff and class members, who seek

restitution and disgorgement of inequitably obtained profits.

Jury Demand and Prayer for Relief

Plaintiff demands a jury trial on all issues.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for judgment:

1. Certifying Plaintiff as representative and the undersigned as counsel for the classes;

2. Entering preliminary and permanent injunctive relief by directing Defendant to correct the

challenged practices to comply with the law;

3. Awarding monetary, statutory and/or punitive damages and interest;

4. Awarding costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney and expert fees; and

5. Other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: January 7, 2023

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Spencer Sheehan

Sheehan & Associates, P.C.
60 Cuttermill Rd Ste 412
Great Neck NY 11021
(516) 268-7080
[email protected]

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