In a world filled with action-packed movies and adrenaline-pumping stunts, few names stand out as prominently as Jean-Claude Van Damme.
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 a 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.
Jean-Claude Van Damme, said: “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.
He 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 said: “I loved its aroma and the smoothness on the palate compared to the more heavier whiskies I had tasted from different parts of the world.”
Jean-Claude, who was born in Belgium in 1960 and started his career as a competitive kickboxer, earning a black belt in Shotokan karate and a reputation for his formidable fighting skills, 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”.
The word “ Derry “ is actually an anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic word “Doire” which means “Oak Wood”.
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 important to remember the long tradition and history of Irish whiskey making in Ireland.
It is believed that whiskey first originated in Ireland, was made by Irish monks and was one of the earliest distilled alcoholic drinks dating back to the 11th century or earlier.
In fact the word “whiskey” is again an Anglicisation pronunciation of the Irish Gaelic word “Uisce”, meaning “water”, and the Irish monks originally called whiskey “Uisce Beatha” which means “the water of life”.
The art of whiskey-making has been carefully passed down from generation to generation.
The Irish whiskey distilling process is not just a craft but an art form steeped in history and heritage that speaks of a time when things were simpler and traditions were kept alive.
Old Oak Whiskey’s award-winning three and five-year-old whiskeys are priced at £34.95 and £39.95 and are available to buy online www.oldoakirishwhiskey.com.
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