Harrison Ford tastes Glenmorangie single malt

Harrison Ford is known for his iconic roles as a daring adventurer. But this time he is not travelling with his whip and hat – but rather with a glass of Glenmorangie in hand, sporting a mischievous grin and a kilt.

The Hollywood star is the face of the new, ​‘Once Upon a Time in Scotland’ whisky campaign, which takes viewers on a humorous journey to the Scottish Highlands.

‘I’m going to Scotland!’ – And stays there for the time being

‘I had not anticipated what it would be like to be in Scotland, but what was really interesting to me is that you go to Scotland and you just say goodbye to wherever you were, because you’re in Scotland,’ Ford says enthusiastically in the interview. In a series of twelve episodes, directed by Joel Edgerton, he experiences the country, its traditions and, of course, the legendary single malt whisky from Glenmorangie up close. The actor reveals his most charming and self-deprecating side, as the scenes were shot in an unconventional, deliberately​‘off-script’ style.

Humorous and unconventional — in the middle of the Highlands

The campaign is anything but a classic commercial. ​‘I really like it when things are a little disruptive, fun, and irreverent,’ says Edgerton. And that’s exactly what he has achieved: instead of polished, glossy images, we see real, unfiltered moments. We see Ford riding his bike around a castle, becoming friends with locals over a dram of single malt and – to everyone’s surprise – posing in a kilt. ​‘Can I put you in a kilt?’ Edgerton asked hesitantly. Ford just looked at him – and then just did it. ​“And then I sat down and looked up – that wasn’t planned,” laughs Ford.

An advertising shoot full of surprises

It’s clear that Ford is not just a spectator, but also finds the whole thing very entertaining.​‘I love making fun of myself,’ he admits.​‘Everything we went to do turned out to be full of unanticipated joys.’ Even the Glenmorangie distillery staff had a leading role:​“I thought the Glenmorangie distillery team were all great. It’s more fun to see the texture and the imperfection of things than to just have everything glossy and smooth.’ Glenmorangie’s president Caspar MacRae is also thrilled:​‘Harrison Ford is the real deal: a true global icon, and a genuine whisky lover. It was a dream come true to collaborate on this campaign. His warmth and sense of humour are exactly what Glenmorangie is all about.

‘If they bring me tea, I’m terribly disappointed‘

The creative freedoms were what made the shoot particularly appealing to Ford.​‘ Nobody stopped us. Which I imagine is pretty rare in the world that we’re working in. My father used to be in advertising, and I remember how bureaucratic it all is. I think it’s a tribute to Glenmorangie’s sensibilities that they let us be less than totally serious. Credit to them for letting us play.’ So Ford ended up spontaneously reworking scenes – for example, when he suggested having a conversation in the bath rather than while packing. ​‘And Joel just said,​‘Fine.’.

Ford also has a clear opinion about whisky itself:​It’s actually what I would like to drink. If they bring me tea, I’m terribly disappointed.’ During the filming, he was able to immerse himself in the world of distillation and meet Glenmorangie’s Master Distiller, Dr Bill Lumsden. ​‘It was a really interesting experience to spend time with Dr Bill. We went to the Distillery and saw the beautiful old buildings, and in the midst of them there’s a modern high-rise of all of four storeys. And we got the tour of that and discovered that it’s the ​“test kitchen” for the Master Distiller. I was compelled by the opportunity to sit with him and try and explain what my taste experience was with different whiskies. And to begin to understand the fine-point distinctions of different elements of flavour. And to be able to describe my own experience to him. He is working on a whisky to knock my socks off. If anybody can do it, I would imagine it would be him. I’m very excited to taste the results.’

A short film that sticks

‘Once Upon a Time in Scotland’ is more than just an advertising campaign – it is a love letter to Scotland, its people and its whisky. ​‘It’s not about selling something, but telling a story that will be remembered,‘ says Edgerton. And Ford? He sums it up:​’It’s a departure from the usual world of advertising and commercials. This is an awareness campaign that aims to draw attention to a brand that is established and successful and makes a great product. In a saturated market, it is important to ensure that the unique character of Glenmorangie stands out.‘ When asked how much he likes whisky after his time in Scotland, the Hollywood star answers briefly but succinctly:​’I think it’s very nice!’

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