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Talking whisky – Harrison Ford and Joel Edgerton share their Glenmorangie collaboration
Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has launched a new global campaign starring Hollywood star Harrison Ford. Known for his countless legendary roles, the actor brings his trademark wry humour to a series of episodic films directed by actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton. Once Upon A Time In Scotland takes viewers behind the scenes as Harrison Ford journeys to Glenmorangie’s Highland home to discover the skill and craftsmanship behind each bottle of its complex and elegant whisky. The series captures Ford embracing the authentic Scottish experience – from mastering the nuances of Scottish pronunciation and kilt etiquette to bonding with local people over a dram of single malt – all shot in an unconventional, deliberately ‘off-script’ style. Over a glass of Glenmorangie, Harrison Ford, the star of the new brand campaign, and its director Joel Edgerton, reveal some of their favourite moments during filming.
What was your creative process?
JOEL EDGERTON: We planned these short stories to shoot in Scotland, but although we were going to work together, we’d never met each other. So, when I was in LA, I asked Harrison to have lunch with me to introduce myself. We started talking, and the first thing you said was that you were worried that they wanted you to ride horses and fly planes. That was essentially the tenor of the first story that we’d written: “I don’t want to do all this tough-guy stuff – I just want to relax by the fire.”
HARRISON FORD: It was a strong idea and we stuck to it. But we had lots of opportunity to noodle around with it. 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. I think it’s fun to not be as structured and “strictured” as a commercial.
JOEL EDGERTON: There were a bunch of firsts for me: spending time in Scotland, working with Harrison, and shooting the campaign. I’ve never really made anything in the advertising world before.
HARRISON FORD: It was the same for both of us, because I’ve never done anything like it. But what I loved about it was we really had a strong framework for our stuff. Whatever it is that we did, it was hung on a strong hook. And it was literally just us. The narrative was: There’s this guy, he’s an actor, he goes off to make this commercial in Scotland, and this is what it’s like. I think it has a certain charm to it, because it’s unpretentious and just amusing.
Have you ever worked on a project like this before?
JOEL EDGERTON: One day we were chatting, and you said: “I want to ride a bike around the castle.” And I said: “Ok, I never thought about that, but let’s get a bike.” So then we pulled in a bike because no one was telling us that we couldn’t. They let us off the leash! My other favourite moment in our first meeting was when I realised that at some point I would have to ask: “Can I put you in a kilt?” I had no idea what your response was going to be. Obviously, it turned out positively. But when you first looked at me, I thought: “Ohhh, I don’t know if this is going to land well.”
HARRISON FORD: I remember that we had the idea of the conversation between myself and Darren, my invisible agent, and, it had been written to be while I was folding clothes to travel. And I asked you: “How about we just do it in a bathtub?” I think you said: “Fine”.
Can you give us some examples of the creative freedom you were given?
JOEL EDGERTON: The guys in the Distillery were awesome. Working with non-actors could have terrified Glenmorangie, but they trusted us, and I think it paid off. I was quietly nervous about it, but it seemed like a great opportunity and actually, it elevated everything. Looking back, it makes me feel better that we did that. I’d love to know how Alan in the warehouse is getting on, how they’re treating him now… I bet he’s got a lot of dates right now!
HARRISON FORD: I thought they were all great. I loved it. It’s more fun to see the texture and the imperfection of things than to just have everything glossy and smooth. Everything we went to do turned out to be full of unanticipated joys. The little moments in each one of those vignettes that we did not expect. We accommodated the realities of the people and what we were doing, in a way that I think improved the result.
How did you find Glenmorangie’s distillers as supporting actors?
ONCE UPON A TIME IN SCOTLAND
Watch all 12 episodes now.
VIEW THE EPISODES
JOEL EDGERTON: I loved that one too, because all the way leading up, I was having an inside voice conversation with myself wondering: “Is this a ridiculous idea?” But my other favourite one is The Kilt. I particularly like it because of what you did at the end, which wasn’t scripted, which is when you sat down in the chair and looked up the kilt. It’s brilliant.
HARRISON FORD: I’ve got to admit, it’s the ‘Inner Voice’ one [The Mountain]. It’s just a moment when everything makes sense. It brings the outside, the inside, the behind-the-scenes aspect and the in-front-of-the-camera aspect, all together in a cogent moment.
Out of the 12 chapters you filmed, which is your favourite?
HARRISON FORD: It’s because it’s actually what I would like to drink. If they bring me tea, I’m terribly disappointed. I think I was influenced by my father, who drank Scotch. I started drinking it after college and started enjoying the varieties and the breadth of the Scotch experience. It is typical of me, at the end of a day to have a glass, a wee bit of Scotch. It’s just one thing I don’t have to act, if I’m drinking Scotch. I don’t have to drink a gin martini and pretend to like it.
Harrison, why are you often drinking Scotch in your earlier movies? Are you a big fan of single malt?
HARRISON FORD: 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.
How did you enjoy meeting Glenmorangie’s Master Distiller, Dr Bill Lumsden?
Glenmorangie The Original 12 Years Old
THE TASTING NOTES
Colour
Bright Gold
FINISH
The surprisingly lingering aftertaste, is bursting with almond, coconut, and a touch of maple syrup. Truly delicious!
Taste
Vanilla emerges, then gives way to a burst of flowery fruitiness.
AROMA
Citrus and ripening peaches are balanced by vanilla softness.
DISCOVER MORE
After your time in Scotland, what’s your final thought on the whisky itself?
HARRISON FORD: I think it’s very nice. JOEL EDGERTON: Glenmorangie, nice.
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To be continued...
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