From shaken martinis to smoky single malts, whisky has made countless appearances on the silver screen, often playing a supporting role in iconic characters and memorable scenes. While fictional brands abound, real-world whiskies have also graced the cinematic stage, adding a touch of authenticity and intrigue to the stories unfolding on screen.
This article delves into some of the most memorable whisky moments in cinema, highlighting the rare and collectible bottlings that have shared the spotlight with legendary actors and unforgettable characters. We’ll explore the significance of these whiskies within the context of each film, examining how they contribute to the narrative or enhance the character development. Whether you’re a whisky enthusiast, a film buff, or simply curious about the intersection of these two worlds, this exploration offers a unique perspective on the role of whisky in popular culture.
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Skyfall (2012) – The Macallan 1962 Fine and Rare
The first drink you think to associate with James Bond is the infamous Vodka Martini (“shaken not stirred”). While the Vodka Martini remains firmly connected to Bond’s character, in Ian Fleming’s original novels Bond more often drinks scotch whisky – and in recent entries to the Bond film franchise, 007 has seemingly turned back to whisky.
In Skyfall (2012), Bond, played by Daniel Craig, confronts the film’s villain Raoul Silva, played by Javier Bardem. “Fifty year old Macallan, a particular favourite of yours, I understand,” notes Silva, as he offers Bond a glass of Macallan 1962 Fine and Rare Vintage. Placing a glass of The Macallan 1962 on the head of Bond girl, Severine, Silva instructs Bond to shoot the glass. After Bond deliberately misses, Silva kills Severine and tauntingly asks Bond what he has to say. “It’s a waste of good scotch,” responds Bond before engaging Silva’s henchmen in a fight.
Skyfall celebrates the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, giving the inclusion of the Macallan 1962 Fine and Rare bottling added significance as a reference to the release of the first Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962. The Macallan Fine and Rare Collection endeavors to evoke shared memories of a moment and place that have shaped the world we know today.
The Macallan 1962 Fine and Rare’s subtle reference to Dr. No emphasizes the pedigree and evolution of the Bond film franchise across 50 years, culminating in the release of Skyfall. Following Skyfall’s release, a bottle of Macallan 1962, which had been signed by cast members including Craig and Bardem, was sold in a charity auction by Sotheby’s in 2013, raising £9,635.
Scotch whisky placements have featured in scenes across the Bond film franchise, Bond’s preference for Macallan is evident in Spectre (2015) when a bottle of Macallan 18 Year Old is seen in 007’s apartment. Spymaster ‘M’ seems to prefer Talisker, with bottlings from the distillery visible in her office in the films, The World is Not Enough (1999) and Die Another Day (2002).
Another 50 Year Old That Isn’t 50 Years Old
Eagle-eyed whisky fans might notice a discrepancy in the whisky during this scene. Silva makes reference to a “fifty year old Macallan,” and on-screen we can see a Fine & Rare bottle of Macallan with a 1962 vintage and a 50-year age statement. In reality, the 1962 Fine & Rare was bottled at 15 years old, not 50.
However, if you look closer you will see that the bottle states that the whisky was first bottled in 1977, and rebottled in 2012. Despite the ‘50-year’ age statement, and the fact that 2012 is 50 years since the whisky was distilled in 1962, the whisky is not 50 years old at all, as whisky does not continue to age after being bottled.
You can see the label more clearly in the video named ‘The Whisky Of Choice’ on The Macallan’s website.
Interestingly, The Macallan 50 Year Old Anniversary Malt is also not 50 years old. It is actually older. Read Mark’s article here to learn more.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) – The Dalmore 1962
The Kingsman franchise is a series of action-comedy films, that follow the missions of Kingsman, a secret organization of well-dressed gentlemanly British spies. In the opening action sequence for the first film, Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), Agent Lancelot battles enemies, catching a glass of The Dalmore 1962 otherwise destined to crash to the ground in the chaos. “1962 Dalmore, it’d be a sin to spill any” quips Lancelot moments before he is killed by assassin Gazelle (Sofia Boutella) who rescues the whisky and presents the glass to the film’s villain Richmond Valentine, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who ultimately enjoys the dram.
Kingsman director, Matthew Vaughn is an acknowledged whisky enthusiast selecting a vintage Dalmore 1962 to set the tone in the film’s opening and emphasize the agents of the Kingsman secret service’s appreciation of the finer things in life.
Dalmore 1962 vintages have been released as both 40 Year Old and 45 Year Old expressions, although it was not specified which bottling appeared in Kingsman: The Secret Service.
Alternatively, online speculation suggests Kingsman intended to reference The Dalmore 62 Year Old; only 12 bottles of this rare expression released in 2002 were produced, each individually named, numbered, and hand-signed.
The Kingsman franchise’s relationship with whisky has continued as Matthew Vaughn partnered with The Glendronach Distillery to promote the release of the 2017 sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle. The Glendronach Kingsman Edition 1991 used casks distilled in 1991 to produce the expression, as in the Kingsman films it is the year of the main character, Eggy’s, birth.
The Gentlemen (2019) – Glenfarclas 1976 ‘Grant Edition’ 40 Year Old
Guy Ritchie’s action-comedy British gangster film The Gentlemen (2019) follows the exploits of Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) as he attempts to sell his drug empire, setting off a chain of blackmail and schemes amongst competing criminal factions. The Gentlemen’s storyline is guided by scenes between devious private investigator Fletcher, played by Hugh Grant, and Pearson’s right-hand man Raymond Smith (Charlie Hunnam). As Fletcher attempts to convince Raymond he has information to sell to Pearson, through the scenes they consume most of a bottle of Glenfarclas 1976 ‘Grant Edition’ 40 Year Old. Watch the scene here.
The Glenfarclas 1976 ‘Grant Edition’ 40 Year Old was released in 2016, the sixth bottling in Glenfarclas’ Grant Edition series, where each bottling honors a different member of the Grant family; the owners of the Glenfarclas Distillery.
Released to celebrate the 40th birthday of Glenfarclas’ Sales Director, George S. Grant, the Glenfarclas 1976 ‘Grant Edition’ 40 Year Old is a limited-edition expression, with only 1500 bottles produced.
Lost in Translation (2003) – Suntory Whisky / Hibiki 17 Year Old
One of the best-known examples of whisky onscreen is seen in Sofia Coppola’s film Lost in Translation (2003). The film stars Bill Murray in the role of world-weary actor Bob Harris who arrives in Tokyo to appear in an advertising campaign for Japanese distilling company and bottler, Suntory.
As Bob struggles to overcome the language barrier and cultural divide between himself and the commercial’s director, in numerous scenes during Lost in Translation the character is seen enjoying a glass of Suntory’s Hibiki 17 Year Old whisky in the hotel bar during his downtime. Lost in Translation has resulted in increased sales of Japanese whisky, and the popular use of Bill Murray’s phrase “Suntory Time!” amongst consumers.
Initially released in 1989, Hibiki 17 Year Old blended whisky is produced using malt and grain whisky from Suntory’s distilleries (Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita). Hibiki blends are matured using Japanese mizunara oak casks at the Yamazaki Distillery.
The Hibiki 17 Year Old blend was awarded the top prize for a Japanese blended whisky at the World Whisky Awards in 2010, and 2012. In 2018, Suntory announced the Hibiki 17 Year Old would be discontinued in favor of introducing new Hibiki blended whisky expressions.
Star Trek Beyond (2016) – Glenfiddich 30 Year Old
It is good to know people will still be enjoying whisky in the 23rd Century. Star Trek Beyond (2016) is the third film in the rebooted Star Trek franchise, following the adventures of a young Captain Kirk and the crew of the starship Enterprise.
In this scene, Doctor Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy (Karl Urban) joins a melancholy Captain James T. Kirk, played by Chris Pine, for a drink. Admonishing Kirk for drinking illegal Saurian brandy, McCoy presents him instead with a bottle of Glenfiddich 30 Year Old commenting ‘Besides, I found this in Chekov’s locker’. Both express surprise the Russian-born Chekov evidently prefers whisky to vodka, before enjoying a toast to remember Kirk’s late father and absent friends.
Released as part of Glenfiddich’s Re-imagined Time Collection, the Glenfiddich 30 Year Old Suspended Time is the distillery’s contemporary bottling imagined as a captured moment in time to experience.
The Glenfiddich 30Year Old Suspended Time bottling is presented in contemporary decanter and modern display case, giving the impression of suspended liquid or a time capsule. McCoy’s Glenfiddich 30 Year Old in Star Trek Beyond looks a little different, but you would expect the packaging to be reimaged across the intervening centuries.
Iron Man (2008) – Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Iron Man (2008) is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character. In the opening scenes, the future Iron Man arms manufacturer Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., demonstrates a new missile system for the American military.
After the demonstration, Stark collects a glass of whisky from a high-tech cooler which contains bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue and Black Label, as well as a single cask Laphroaig 1987 (from independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co’s Old Malt Cask range). As the Blue Label is the only unsealed bottle visible it is probable that Stark’s glass contains Johnnie Walker whisky.
Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label is a premium blend designed to recreate the style and flavors of classic early 19th-century whisky blends and is one of the most expensive blended scotch whiskies on the market.
Despite its premium status Blue Label carries no age statement, although the whiskies used for blending are alleged to range in age from seven to fifty years old, with only one in every 10,000 casks selected for the blend. Blue Label’s core single malts are supplied by Benrinnes, Cardhu, Clynelish, and Caol Ila alongside grain components from Cameron Bridge, and the now-demolished Port Dundas distillery.
Constantine (2005) – Ardbeg 10 Year Old
Constantine (2005) is a superhero horror film based on DC Comics’ Hellblazer series, and stars Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, a cynical chain-smoking exorcist and demon hunter. In the scene, Constantine is seen filling his whisky glass from a bottle of Ardbeg 10 Year Old.
Regarded as one of the peatiest and smokiest scotch single malts around the world, it is no surprise Islay’s Ardbeg 10 Year Old, named World Whisky of the Year 2008, was shown as the preferred malt of the heavy-smoking Constantine.
Looking closely at Constantine’s glass, the whisky shown in the scene is considerably darker than the Ardbeg 10 Year Old’s typical light gold colour giving the Constantine film’s Ardbeg appearance the unfortunate distinction of being the least accurately portrayed real whisky onscreen.
The Angels’ Share (2012) – Various
Ken Loach’s British comedy-drama, The Angels’ Share (2012) is a must-see film for whisky lovers. Set in Glasgow, the film follows Robbie (Paul Brannigan), a delinquent offender with a discerning palate for whisky, who is determined to turn over a new leaf when he becomes a father.
Alongside his friends from a community service group, Robbie is drawn into a capper to steal a mythical cask of whisky from the lost ‘Malt Mill’ Distillery. Throughout The Angels’ Share, Robbie and his friends are seen sampling a variety of different whiskies; notably at the Deanston distillery where the group enjoys a tour and tasting experience. The film’s distillery interior and warehouse scenes were all filmed at Deanston, although exterior scenes at the fictional distillery where the Malt Mill cask is found were located at the Glengoyne Distillery.
The Angels’ Share references aspects relating to Scotland’s whisky industry and history, the film’s title refers to ‘the angels’ share’ a term for the percentage of whisky lost to evaporation during the cask maturation.
The fictional cask of ‘Malt Mill’ which plays a pivotal role in the film refers to the short-lived micro-distillery Malt Mill (1908-1962), built at the Lagavulin Distillery by Peter Mackie.
Initially approached by Ken Loach to act as the film’s consultant on all things whisky-related, writer and whisky expert Charles MacLean was propelled into an acting role as Rory MacAllister, the tasting guide who tests Robbie’s palate with a blind tasting of Classic Malt Cragganmore 12 Year Old.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004) – The Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood
Science fiction film, The Day After Tomorrow (2004) depicts an extreme climate disaster resulting in a new ice age on Earth. At a scientific research station in Scotland three researchers, played by Ian Holm, Adrian Lester, and Richard McMillian, find a bottle of The Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood whisky as temperatures plummet and the generator begins to fail.
Asked if the whisky will power the generator, Ian Holm’s lead researcher replies, “Are you mad? That’s a 12 Year Old Scotch”. The trio instead decides instead to enjoy the whisky and have a final toast to, England, Mankind, and Manchester United.
The Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood expression was first released in 1993, and is aged in two different oak casks. Initial maturation uses American oak casks, followed by finishing maturation in first-fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts for a final nine months.
Blade Runner (1982) / Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – Johnnie Walker Black Label
Ridley Scott’s cult science fiction film Blade Runner (1982) depicts a dystopian future where burnt-out former police officer Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, hunts a group of ‘replicant’ androids illegally on Earth.
Deckard is seen enjoying a futuristic version of Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, bottled in distinctive geometric style square bottles, in several of Blade Runner’s scenes; notably in Deckard’s cluttered apartment where numerous Johnnie Walker bottles are visible.
When Harrison Ford reprised his role in the long-awaited sequel Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Deckard once again drinks Johnnie Walker Black Label when he encounters replicant ‘K’ (Ryan Gosling).
Johnnie Walker Black Label was launched in 1909, when the brand was created, although had previously been sold as ‘Old Highland Whisky’ from 1865. Created using up to 40 different whiskies from across Scotland, each matured for a minimum of 12 years, Johnnie Walker Black Label uses core malts from the Blair Athol, Cardhu, Strathmill, and Caol Ila distilleries, while Cameron Bridge supplies the main grain whisky component.
Coinciding with the release of Blade Runner 2049, Johnnie Walker collaborated with filmmaker Denis Villeneuve to create the limited-edition expression Johnnie Walker Black Label Director’s Cut. Presented in a 21st-century geometric style bottle reminiscent of the Blade Runner film bottles, Director’s Cut contains more than 30 whiskies and is bottled at a stronger 49% ABV (referencing the 2049 year), with only 39,000 bottles released globally.
Notable Whisky Appearances In Movies
Beyond the countdown of iconic onscreen whisky moments, a range of single malt scotch whiskies or famous blends are consumed in film; sometimes although the distillery is referenced the bottling is unclear, or the whisky is only seen in a deleted scene or director’s cut edition.
In Morning Glory (2010) a temperamental news anchor played by Harrison Ford drinks Bruichladdich 40 Year Old to cope with the day, whilst Will Farrell as Ron Burgundy in Anchorman (2004) orders a Glenlivet.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) is a director’s cut of the superhero film Justice League (2017), restoring deleted scenes where Batman’s loyal butler Alfred (Jeremy Irons) celebrates the Justice League’s victory with a glass of Talisker 25 Year Old.
Some well-known whiskies explored have enjoyed more than one film appearance, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is also consumed in The A-Team (2010), whilst Johnnie Walker Black Label is enjoyed by spy Napoleon Solo, portrayed by Henry Cavill, in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015). The Glenfarclas 1976 40 Year Old is seen in a second Guy Ritchie film, Wrath of Man (2021), enjoyed by characters Kirsty (Lynn Renee) and Jan (Scott Eastwood). Allegedly Glenfarclas’ 1976 40 Year Old expression is amongst Guy Ritchie’s favorite scotch whiskies, with the director sharing mutual friends and interests with Glenfarclas’ sales director, George S. Grant.
Aside from rare and collectible single malts and well-known scotch blends, popular brands such as Jack Daniels and Dewars have appeared in film.
Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey can be seen in film genres ranging from horror to drama, and science fiction; notably in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980) adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. As Jack Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, descends into murderous madness he is seen drinking Jack Daniels in the hotel’s haunted bar.
In the science fiction film, Alien Covenant (2017) a bottle of Jack Daniels is shared amongst the spaceship’s crew; despite the fact the film is set in the year 2104, the Jack Daniels label and bottle remain the same.
In the long-awaited zombie comedy sequel, Zombieland: Double Tap (2019), Woody Harrelson’s character, Tallahassee, enjoys a whisky while fighting zombies, and is seen drinking the Dewars blended scotch whisky brand.