Diageo's line of Explorers Club whiskies was launched in duty-free shops in late 2012.
According to the New York Post, the 120-year-old New York-based club says it owns the trademark on the name.
The club sent a cease-and-desist letter to the company last spring.
The Manhattan suit filed today says the font on the Explorers Club whiskey label is "confusingly similar" to the one used by the club.
The not-for-profit club, whose members include Buzz Aldrin, says it sued after talks with the company broke down. It wants Diageo to stop selling the brand or pay for licensing fees.