Lehman Brothers is synonymous with monetary disaster, however one entrepreneur hopes the model will make him a fortune — as a variety of Scotch whiskey.
James Inexperienced, 34, is launching three whiskies with Lehman Brothers on the label. The most well-liked of the vary, “Ashes of Disaster,” claims to have a “wicked suggestion of burning banknotes, a hint of ripe autumn fruit about to fall.”
Lehman Brothers collapsed within the largest U.S. chapter in historical past in September 2008, sparking the worldwide monetary disaster.
A British actual property investor, Inexperienced filed in 2013 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Workplace to make use of the time period “Lehman Brothers” for bars and spirits.
He says he is now taking on-line orders for the whiskey from bar chains in London and New York.
Barclays Financial institution (BCS), which purchased elements of Lehman Brothers, filed in 2014 to cease Inexperienced utilizing the identify. It famous, amongst different arguments, that the funding financial institution usually gave “cut crystal whiskey decanter[s] etched with the mark Lehman Brothers” as items, which implies its trademark ought to prolong past banking. The filings present Barclays suspended its case in October 2015.
Barclays declined to remark.
Inexperienced advised CNNMoney an final result of the dispute is “pending” so his legal professionals have advised him to promote as a lot whiskey as he can.
“It’s full speed ahead,” stated Inexperienced, who expects bartenders on either side of the Atlantic to be pouring the whiskey inside months.
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One other of Inexperienced’s Lehman whiskies is his spicy American-made “Snapfire,” which he suggests is “perfect with reckless maneuvers, long gambles, and explosive consequences. Drink alone, if possible.”
Inexperienced is now searching for traders to assist him open Lehman Brothers themed bars, together with one on Wall Avenue. It could maybe be the right place to promote the third whiskey within the vary, referred to as “Evergreen.” It’s being marketed as “perfect for when fortune is with you and you are riding your luck. Tastes best when you are sitting on top of the world.”
CNNMoney (London) First printed February 8, 2016: 10:34 AM ET