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Dram dreams come true for Scottish actor James Cosmo as he launches STORYMAN, his premium blended whisky made by Annandale Distillery

Iconic Scottish actor James Cosmo has launched his own whisky, STORYMAN, created in a unique partnership with award-winning Annandale Distillery in Dumfries & Galloway. 

James was joined by family, friends, fellow actors and celebrities, international whisky experts, investors, and members of the team who created STORYMAN, for the London launch at The Caledonian Club in Belgravia on Wednesday night. [June 14] 

They heard how James first became aware of Annandale Distillery when he was filming Outlaw King [the distillery is built on what had been King Robert the Bruce’s land, near Annan] and was so impressed with the team’s passion for creating the best single malt single cask Scotch whisky that he entrusted them with making his dream of having his own whisky – “the kind that is delicate, complex, and with a warmth that grows on you” – come true. 

It was an almost three-year journey to create the perfect whisky inspired by James, his iconic presence and personality, with a distinct flavour profile based on months of complex research by international research companies MMR (Mathematical Market Research) Research Worldwide and Huxley Global, owned by Annandale Distillery co-owners Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church.  Professor Thomson said: “We wanted to capture James’ essence in a bottle, to create a whisky that reflects his personality, his values and his stories. We used our expertise in consumer research to understand how people perceive James and what kind of whisky they would associate with him. We then translated that into a sensory profile that guided the blending process.”  

Master blender Keith Law describes the unique blend of Annandale’s award-winning Man O’ Words and Man O’ Sword (peated) whiskies, as “a tale of mellow fruitfulness, smooth honey and rich vanilla, with a spicy edge that brings real warmth to its heart.” 

And is that warmth that James was delighted with for his whisky, named STORYMAN to reflect his 60-year career as a storyteller with iconic roles in films and TV programmes including Braveheart, Highlander, Game of Thrones, Trainspotting, Jack Ryan, and Six Four. 

“STORYMAN is a lovely blend,” he says. “It’s gentle and the sort of whisky you want to sit by a fire and have a little sip of. It’s delicate and thoughtful and absolutely a whisky for telling stories with. I’d like to think that people will open a bottle and sit back and regale people with stories.” 

You can be part of James Cosmo’s story: STORYMAN is available to buy now at www.storymanwhisky.com

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Storyman James Cosmo, Has a Tale to Tell Over a Dram Of New Premium Blend Whisky.

James Cosmo, the acclaimed actor and storyteller, has teamed up with Annandale Distillery to create Storyman, a unique blended Scotch whisky that celebrates the art of storytelling. Storyman is a premium blend of Annandale’s award-winning single malts, Man O’ Words and Man O’ Swords, along with a carefully selected grain whisky.

The Game of Thrones actor launched the new premium blended Scotch whisky at Annan’s Lonsdale Cinema on April 27th in a stunning Red Carpet premier event.

(James with piper Craig Irvine at Annan Londsdale Cinema. April 27th 2023)

James Cosmo said, “It’s always been a dream of mine to create my own whisky. The kind of whisky that is delicate, complex and with a warmth that grows on you.  I always believed it would be just a dream until during filming and production of the film Outlaw King, a film about the King of Scotland Robert the Bruce. I became aware of Annandale Distillery, steeped in history and located in the heart of Bruce’s land. I met the team and was impressed by their passion for whisky the creation of a good dram, and that spoke to me, it really hit home.

Whisky has always been part of my life, since I was a boy, sitting on the knee of my maternal grandfather.  He was a miner and his treat at the end of a hard day was a dram of whisky.  I was always fascinated by the golden liquid he held in his rough hands and slowly sipped, his bantam chickens at his feet.

I love whisky. I love the tradition and the craftsmanship, mostly I love the way whisky brings people together. There’s always a point in the night when the pace slows down and the conversations get deep and meaningful. We all have stories, stories that bind us and tell tales of our experiences.  STORYMAN premium blend Scotch whisky is my story, and I want to share it with you.”

The blend was specially created for the Game of Thrones actor, by Keith Law, Annandale’s master blender, and owner, Professor David Thomson, featuring a carefully chosen selection of their award-winning Single Cask, Single Malt Whiskies. These included various vintages and spirit types from a range of Fresh and Refill Ex-Bourbon, and Ex-Burgundy STR casks.

“The blending process took a great deal of time to get right”, says Keith Law Annandale Distillery’s master blender. “It was a process that involved speaking with James, having in-depth conversations to identify the types of whisky James likes to enjoy. What we created is a smooth and complex whisky, with notes of vanilla, honey, citrus and smoke. What we wanted to do is capture the essence of James whisky memories and make it tangible and that’s what we have done with STORYMAN.”

Annandale Distillery Co-Founder David Thomson was delighted to see the project come to fruition, the project that included not just Annandale Distillery but the work of the entire MMR Research family. MMR Research, the company founded by Professor Thomson and his wife and business partner Teresa Church were involved in many aspects of the project including consumer research on audience demographics, concept design and testing the whisky with consumers, using their expertise and innovative methods. Thomson said: “This whisky is a tribute to the actor and his iconic role, as well as to the craftsmanship and quality of Annandale Distillery and MMR Research. We are very proud of this collaboration and hope that whisky lovers and fans of James Cosmo will enjoy it as much as we do.”

STORYMAN is available to pre-order now at www.storymanwhisky.com priced at just £55.00 per bottle.

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Braveheart actor James Cosmo lights up Stirling Old Brig ceremony

Hundreds of people attended last Friday evening’s lights ceremony by Stirling’s historic Old Brig.

Scots actor James Cosmo flicked on the switch for the new LED floodlighting at the ancient monument.

After the lights were on musicians entertained the crowd for around three hours at the park nearby – with the finale featuring the actor joining in on a rousing rendition of Loch Lomond.

The work on the Old Brig had been overseen by the Guardians of Scotland Trust (GoST).

Bannockburn’s Ted Christopher, of GoST, said this week: “Friday night went really well. I’m guessing there could have been around 1000 folk there all in. “Everyone enjoyed themselves and James Cosmo spent a lot of time with people who wanted to have selfies with him. “There was a really fantastic atmosphere.

“And it was great to have James up on stage singing along to Loch Lomond at the end of the night.”

During a film career of more than 50 years James Cosmo’s credits include Scottish historical film dramas Braveheart (1995) and The Outlaw King (2018).

Musicians at the concert included Benny Gallagher (Gallagher and Lyle), Gordon Menzies (Gaberlunzie), Ian Bayne (Runrig) and Bannockburn’s Ted Christopher.

The new lights had been supplied and installed by technical services company FES.

Friday night’s concert was in aid of the proposed GoST ‘Brothers in Arms’ memorial to commemorate the role played in the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge by co-commanders Andrew de Moray and William Wallace.

A model of the monument featuring Wallace and de Moray was unveiled at the city’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum in 2018.

Campaigners hope that the sculpture will be installed on the north side of the Forth, near the bridge where Wallace and de Moray once stood in battle.

Wallace and de Moray’s army had inflicted a shattering defeat on much larger English forces as they attempted to cross the Forth in September 1297.

Artist Malcolm Robertson, based in Fife, was awarded the ‘Brothers in Arms’ design commission in 2016.

Ted added: “Until now the site of one of Scotland’s most important battles has been largely overlooked.

“The Trust believes it is time to put that right and also to tell the true story of the battle and give Andrew de Moray recognition alongside William Wallace as being co-commander of the Scottish army.”

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Braveheart actor James Cosmo to switch on new lights at Old Stirling Bridge

Scots actor James Cosmo will switch on new floodlighting at Stirling’s historic Old Brig in a ceremony next month.

The work on the scheduled ancient monument, comprising new LED lighting, has been overseen by the Guardians of Scotland Trust (GoST).

During a film career of more than 50 years James Cosmo’s credits include Scottish historical film dramas Braveheart (1995) and The Outlaw King (2018).

Stirling musician Ted Christopher of GoST said of the new lighting: “We are delighted to have had the generous support of technical services company FES who are supplying and installing the lighting free of charge. “This alone, will be of huge benefit both to the city as a tourist attraction and to increasing interest in the site itself.”

Following the ceremony – to take place on the north bank of the Forth on Friday March 10 at 6.45pm – there will be a concert at Stirling Rugby Club, Bridgehaugh.

It is in aid of the proposed GoST ‘Brothers in Arms’ memorial to commemorate the role played in the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge by co-commanders Andrew de Moray and William Wallace.

A model of the monument featuring Wallace and de Moray was unveiled at the city’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum in 2018.

Campaigners hope that the sculpture will be installed on the north side of the Forth, near the bridge where Wallace and de Moray once stood in battle.

Wallace and de Moray’s army had inflicted a shattering defeat on much larger English forces as they attempted to cross the Forth in September 1297.

Artist Malcolm Robertson, based in Fife, was awarded the ‘Brothers in Arms’ design commission in 2016.

The fundraising concert at Bridgehaugh will include Benny Gallagher (Gallagher and Lyle), Gordon Menzies (Gaberlunzie), Ian Bayne (Runrig) and Ted Christopher.

Ted added: “Until now the site of one of Scotland’s most important battles has been largely overlooked.

The Trust believes it is time to put that right and also to tell the true story of the battle and give Andrew de Moray recognition alongside William Wallace as being co-commander of the Scottish army.”

The full line up and details for the Bridgehaugh concert will be released soon

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James Cosmo Celebrates Robert Burns Birthday With A New Telling of Tam o’Shanter

VisitScotland ambassador, screen icon and acting legend James Cosmo is celebrating another Scottish legend on January 25th – Robert Burns.

The national poet is being celebrated around the world on what would have been his 264th birthday.
The screen icon who has appeared in films including ‘Braveheart’, ‘Outlaw King’, ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘My Sailor, My Love’ – which is released across the UK on March 17th has released a new reading of his favourite Burns tale – Tam o’Shanter.

The Game of Thrones star recited the Robert Burns classic, his own favourite after it was pipped at the post of being named Scotland’s favourite Scots poem.

Speaking ahead of the launch of his new project ‘Storyman’ – James said “Tam o’Shanter is one of the finest pieces of Scottish storytelling, I hope that my telling of this classic will highlight the importance of stories in our everyday life. Stories are the things that bring us together, no matter who we are or where we from the power of a good story unites us all. And I hope that is what my new project Storyman will do, bring people together through the power of stories. I’ve been telling stories all my life and witnessed first-hand the effect they have on people. I’ll be sharing details about Storyman over the next couple of months ahead of the official launch at the start of the summer. If you want to find out more you can sign up at jamescosmostoryman.com to be kept up to date or search JamesCosmoStoryman on Facebook.