One of my founding beliefs is that if you were to speak with anyone, they’d have a story to tell. All of us have been through experiences in our life’s that shape who we are.
To have been able to find such strong legal precedent for our David vs Goliath battle is one thing - To speak with the man behind that story and be inspired by his strength is another.
Introducing Top Cat himself, J.J Lawrence, at Tiger Gin.
His story started where he wanted to produce a fantastic Gin and use the name Tiger. The guys at Heineken, owning the Tiger Beer brand, got wind of what J.J Lawrence was doing and tried to put a stop to it! A two year legal battle ensued to fight for the name! Top Cat had a future award winning product but needed the name to go with it, “It became a matter of principle, it was long and drawn out but the fight in the tiger in me drove me on to win!”
His battle pursued by Heineken taking Tiger Gin to the high court where J.J Lawrence won the right to use the Tiger name on a Gin. The high court ruled that UK consumers would have no confusion between deciphering the difference between Gin and Beer!
Fast forward to today and I’ve been lucky enough to be in touch with J.J on numerous occasions as we fight our battle. Similarly to J.J, myself and Amie are incredibly moralled. As J.J says - you’d have to live with yourself if you didn’t stand up for what’s right - and we couldn’t agree more! He’s even been kind enough and offered to support us in court if it gets that far!
His story has all the hallmarks of a great tale. A story of passion, resilience and a refusal to be beaten by giants. J.J.'s journey reminds us that the courage to stand up for what we believe in can redefine the rules of the game. In our own battle, much like his, we're not just fighting for a name or a product, we're championing the principles that bond us together. It’s a reminder that every setback is an opportunity to rise, every challenge a chance to show the strength that comes from staying true to your convictions.
So here's to the David in all of us, the quiet heroes fighting battles that matter. May our stories, like J.J's, remind us that the journey itself is as significant as the destination. And at the end of the day, it is our strength and integrity that truly leave a lasting legacy.
