Harrison Ford swaps bullwhip for kilt in whisky ads

Hollywood A-lister Harrison Ford has traded in his iconic Indiana Jones gear for a kilt and a glass of single malt Scotch whisky, to promote Scottish barley growers and malt distillers.

The new ad campaign, Once Upon A Time In Scotland, launched by whisky distiller Glenmorangie, features Mr Ford travelling to Scotland to showcase the fine Scotch that is central to the campaign.

See also: 7-step guide to growing quality malting barley

Directed by Australian actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton, the series of 12 short films takes viewers behind the scenes of Mr Ford’s visit to Glenmorangie’s Highland distillery in Tain, where the brand has been crafted since 1843.

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In the lighthearted advertisements, Mr Ford jokes about avoiding the traditional Scottish trappings, such as bagpipes and kilts, before embracing them with humour.

He describes Glenmorangie’s single malt Scotch as “smooth” and uses the campaign to encourage support for the farmers and maltsters who supply the barley used in the production process.

Mr Ford makes fun of his tough-guy persona throughout the films while admiring the stunning Scottish Highlands.

“It was a really interesting experience to spend time with Dr Bill [Glenmorangie’s master distiller],” he said.

“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.”

Filmed in the picturesque landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, the campaign highlights iconic locations, from Glenmorangie’s distillery to Ardross Castle and Loch Glass.

An NFU Scotland spokesperson said: “We always support new ideas that showcase what great produce we have on offer here in Scotland. This latest campaign by Glenmorangie is yet another example of the prominence and admiration our whisky industry has around the world.

“We hope Mr Ford’s appointment will generate great success for the sector.”

The advertisements are available to watch on the Glenmorangie YouTube channel.