From Churchill to McGregor: 10 Iconic Whisky Aficionados

Many whisky enthusiasts regularly enjoy a good glass now and then. Celebrities and famous personalities also know how to appreciate the beverage. These are the most renowned whisky drinkers throughout the history of film, television, music, and politics.

Anyone who hears the voice of the lead singer of Bon Jovi would conclude that his throat must have dealt with a fair share of drink (and smoke). The rough edge to Jon Bon Jovi's voice, after all, doesn't come out of nowhere. Jon's most infamous moment is his confession about hefty imbibing with Bayern Munich footballers before their Champions League game against Chelsea, a match they surprisingly won 3-0.

According to Bon Jovi, they won, 'fueled by beer and whisky'. Apparently, the group was staying at the same hotel the week before the match, and they certainly seized the opportunity! While Jon enjoys drinking whisky, he and his son have chosen a different path: in 2018, they announced their own wine, a French wine called Diving Into Hampton Water.

Often, a love for whisky and cigars go hand in hand. So it was with Winston Churchill. Churchill’s love for cigars ('smoking cigars is like falling in love. First, there's the appeal of the shape, you stick around for the taste and you must always remember not to let the flame go out!') parallels his affection for whisky. Churchill himself never tried to hide his enormous whisky consumption.

On the contrary, he made it part of his image! The robust leader of the British government during World War II loved to indulge and made no secret of it. Churchill enjoyed Johnnie Walker, although he initially called it ‘water with a flavor’. Perhaps that's because he always diluted his whisky with a generous amount of water. This way, he could drink a lot without getting too drunk. Quite a smart move for someone who had to lead a nation during wartime!

Perhaps you didn't expect this name on the list. But, Mrs. Gaga uses the drink mainly as a source of inspiration while writing new songs. And it seems to work well since her most successful album, ‘Born This Way,’ was largely inspired by a good bottle of Jameson.

Lady Gaga even brought the bottle on stage during her tour of the same title and nostalgically referenced her fond memories of Ireland, mainly the numerous pubs where she regularly consumed a bottle.

Another lady we wouldn't have expected in a list of whisky drinkers, but the former first lady and presidential candidate also enjoys a glass of whisky. She likely doesn't share her husband's fondness for cigars and usually keeps her whisky preference under wraps, but during her presidential campaign, she conspicuously drank a Crown Royal.

Later, she put her stamp on a Clinton-branded whisky bottle, named the Rodham Rye. The bottle didn't become as popular as the makers had hoped, given Clinton's election loss. Yet, they finally put it to market ‘to support all strong women in challenging situations’.

When you think of Frank Sinatra, his sung numbers and distinctive voice quickly come to mind. Coming from a poor immigrant family, Sinatra became a beloved figure within high society throughout his career. He was always immaculately dressed, upbeat, and full of energy.

Sinatra was an avid whisky drinker and stuck to one brand for his entire life: Jack Daniels. His brand loyalty was so pronounced that he was even buried with a bottle of his beloved whiskey! Naturally, distiller Jack Daniel’s couldn't let that go unnoticed and named a special bottle in honor of 'old blue eyes': Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select.

A hefty 1-liter bottle of Tennessee Whiskey aged in unique 'Sinatra barrels', rendering the Sinatra Select's rich oak flavor, complemented by a hint of vanilla. Thus, a perfect blend to honor Sinatra's resonant voice.

Bogart is an iconic film actor, especially during the era of black-and-white films. Along with Sinatra, Bogart was part of the Rat Pack, a renowned group from the entertainment scene in the fifties. Like Sinatra, Bogart certainly appreciated a good glass of whisky. He even referred to Scotch as 'a highly valuable part of my life.’

It took him a while to discover his love for Scotch; he was in his forties before he started drinking it seriously. From then on, Bogart made it a habit to end a day of filming promptly at 6 pm with a whisky, whether the scene was concluded or not. The actor certainly didn't lead a healthy lifestyle. Until his death, he alternated between whisky and martinis, and was a heavy smoker, even while in hospital.

Anyone who has seen Depp as pirate captain Jack Sparrow can only conclude that he is a highly gifted actor, or knows how to enjoy a good stout drink. Both turn out to be true because, in addition to a successful acting career that includes Jack Sparrow, as well as exceptional roles in Alice in Wonderland and Willy Wonka, Johnny also has a taste for a good bourbon.

Lately, his career has taken a hit due to all the legal wranglings between him and his former partner Amber Heard, which wasn’t his first encounter with the law. Since he won the most salient of these lawsuits (the one involving his ex, Heard), one can guess that the bourbon probably tasted even sweeter.

Depp humourously commented on his own love of bourbon with the quote, 'Isn’t it happy hour anytime?’ Freely translated, it always happy hour somewhere.

As an athlete, alcohol is a no-go, especially when in training or before an important game. But Michael Jordan has been retired for a while, so it's no problem for him to be seen with a nicely filled glass. Since his sporting career, Jordan has stayed in the limelight, with appearances in a series of interviews in the docuseries ‘The Last Dance’.

During the interviews, we often see a tumbler filled with a dark yellow liquid. Not whisky, but a genuine tequila from his own brand, Cincoro. Yes, Jordan owns a tequila distillery. He does, however, drink it from a traditional whiskey glass, a classy Waterford Crystal tumbler.

This Rolling Stone has spent nearly his entire life with a bottle of Jack Daniels nearby or to his lips. Keith isn’t just a rock musician - he was also on set with fellow whiskey-lover, the alter ego of Jack Sparrow. Those two certainly had a good time!

Richards is the guitarist of the Rolling Stones, but now and then he takes the mic to deliver one of the band’s numbers during a concert. Though the band still exists, Richards has since bid farewell to strong spirits.

According to Richards himself, ‘I just lost interest’. Given his current career and at such an age, remaining as fit as Richards makes us tip our hats off to him!

Ava Gardner was one of the most influential people during the golden age of the film industry. Ava starred in over sixty films often playing the femme fatale role. Her picture alone makes one understand why - Ava was what's often called a ‘classic beauty’.

This darling of the black and white films appreciated what was mainly revered by men in those times: cigarettes and a hearty glass of whisky. This was best illustrated with her quote, ”I wish to live to 150 years old, but the day I die, I want a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other.”

Gardner had a bottle of whisky named in her honor - the Ava Gardner Select Bourbon. Of course, featuring a stunning photo of her on the label. This bourbon is so popular that a second blend has been distilled.

Harry of Sussex, as he’s known, is the son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana. The relationship between the English royals and Harry and his wife Megan can be described as somewhat troubled. Harry and Megan have grown to be ‘hot’ commodities, more often on television than the rest of the family combined.

Harry isn't someone to be taken lightly: he served in the army and fought against the Afghan Taliban. Harry likes to rock the boat - whether it be trying hash or showing up to a costume party dressed as a Nazi. That Harry and Megan appreciate whisky is evident from their wedding day gift: special invitees received a special bottle of Royal Salute whisky, produced in a Royal Wedding Edition. Only seventy bottles of this edition were made. Extremely rare indeed. If you come across a bottle of this, you know you have something truly exceptional in front of you!

Of course, many more celebrities love their whisky. The drink is popular among the stars. Singers, actors, political leaders - many know how to enjoy a good glass. Sometimes it's good for the image, but many drink it simply because it tastes great. We whisky-lovers, are certainly in good company!

Main image: The Walt Disney Company