Jean-Claude Van Damme has stepped away from the bright lights of Hollywood and found himself in the bustling Belfast city centre as he revealed his latest career choice
Jean-Claude Van Damme is best known for his martial arts skills in action-packed blockbusters, but his latest venture comes with a different kind of kick.
And part of that return has seen him revisit his childhood memories as he discussed how his move from pulling punches to distilling whiskey came about. Admitting it wasn't always on his agenda to join forces with the team behind Old Oak, he confirmed his admiration for what he labelled "l'eau de vie" came initially from his younger days and visits to his grandfather.
He vividly remembers the smell of whiskey and cigars and believes now is the time to reignite those senses by putting his own whiskey on the market. Fast forward 50 years, Jean-Claude decided that instead of trying to make his own from scratch, the best way to be involved in his own whiskey would be to follow the roots of the drink and he found himself pairing up with a company in Northern Ireland. "We found Old Oak," he said. "Which I think is a great name. We have three and five-year-old whiskeys at the moment."