‘Hollywood legend’ Jean-Claude Van Damme launches his own Irish Whiskey brand

Hollywood movie legend Jean-Claude Van Damme has today announced the global launch of his co-owned Irish whiskey brand called Old Oak.

Known for his incredible martial arts skills and charismatic on-screen presence, Van Damme has been a ‘global icon’ in the world of cinema for decades. But now the actor has taken on a different role as businessman, becoming a partner in a product he ‘loves’.

The martial arts action hero, dubbed the “Muscles from Brussels”, discovered Old Oak whiskey at a chance meeting with a friend and business colleague. The actor was looking to partner with and co-own a whiskey brand and he found Old Oak Whiskey.

Jean-Claude Van Damme commented: “I was looking for my own brand of whiskey, possibly an American bourbon and then one of my close friends and business associates asked ‘why an American whiskey when you can go back to the roots of whiskey and find an Irish whiskey?’.

“He then introduced me to the Old Oak whiskey label which had yet to be launched and had been put together by some Whiskey aficionados in Ireland.”

Jean-Claude quickly resonated with the idea of being part of an Irish whiskey and also connecting with the rich history and legacy of Irish Whiskey.

As Jean-Claude added: “It was also the perfect opportunity to combine two things with which I feel a close connection …whiskey and its rich heritage and the charisma and warmth of Ireland and its people.”

After further tasting Old Oak whiskey he realised that this was the right whiskey for him. He added: “I loved its aroma and the smoothness on the palate compared to the heavier whiskies I had tasted from different parts of the world.”

Jean-Claude Van Damme also empathised strongly with the name and its origin and the legacy it represents. The name Old Oak originates from the beautiful region of Derry County in the north of Ireland known as “ Oak Leaf County“.

Kevin Carson, one of the co- founders of the Old Oak label, is from Derry County and he felt strongly that an Irish whiskey should represent and connect with the name of the County. He also felt it was important to remember the long tradition and history of Irish whiskey making in the north of Ireland.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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