Guess who celebrated their 63rd birthday in Belfast? None other than Hollywood superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme! But he wasn’t just there for cake and candles. He was actually launching his very own Irish whiskey brand called Old Oak. How cool is that?
The launch took place at the Friend in Hand Whiskey Museum in the Cathedral Quarter, and Van Damme made sure to bring along a special birthday cake. It was beautifully decorated and even had a fondant figure of his adorable dog Lola on top. Talk about a sweet celebration!
Now, you might be wondering how Van Damme manages to stay fit and healthy at 63. Well, according to the man himself, he enjoys a hot cup of tea or a glass of vodka every now and then. And of course, he doesn’t mind indulging in a beer on the weekends. Hey, we all need a little treat sometimes, right?
But let’s get back to the whiskey. The new Old Oak brand was officially launched in Belfast on Wednesday, and Van Damme was front and center, sharing fascinating stories about his life, whiskey, and everything in between. It turns out that whiskey holds a special place in his heart because of the memories he has with his grandparents.
When Van Damme was a kid, his parents owned a flower shop, so they were always busy. That meant he would spend weekends at his grandparents’ house. His grandpa would sit him on his knee, smoking a cigar and sipping on a glass of golden whiskey. The smell of the whiskey and cigar stayed with Van Damme, creating lasting memories.
Now, you might be thinking, what does whiskey have to do with martial arts? Well, according to Van Damme, they’re more similar than you might think. He believes that both whiskey and martial arts are forms of art and culture. They both have a certain elegance and sophistication to them. Who knew?
But Van Damme’s ambitions for his whiskey brand go beyond just Belfast. He wants to introduce whiskey to countries where it’s not commonly enjoyed, like the US, France, Ireland, and the UK. He wants to share his love for whiskey with the world.
And here’s the best part: Van Damme plans to use the profits from his whiskey brand to support environmental causes. He’s passionate about helping animals and preserving nature. So, every sip of Old Oak whiskey will contribute to a good cause. Cheers to that!
Now, let’s talk about Van Damme’s other passion: martial arts. Did you know that he started his journey in martial arts at a young age? When he was just a toothpick of a kid, his father saw Kung Fu on TV and decided to enroll him in a martial arts school. At first, Van Damme was scared of the older students, but his father insisted that he never miss a lesson. And boy, did that dedication pay off!
Today, Van Damme is known as one of the most iconic martial arts actors in the world. But despite his fame and success, he remains humble. He believes that timing and luck played a big role in his career. He admires people like heart surgeons who work tirelessly every day, saving lives. To him, they’re the real superstars.
So, there you have it. Jean-Claude Van Damme, the action hero we all know and love, is now a whiskey entrepreneur. He’s bringing his passion for whiskey and martial arts together to create something truly special. And with every sip of Old Oak whiskey, you’ll be supporting a good cause. It’s a win-win situation. Cheers to Van Damme and his exciting new venture!