Jean-Claude Van Damme reveals dramatic career change as he celebrates turning 63

Jean-Claude Van Damme is best known for his martial arts skills in action-packed blockbusters, but his latest venture comes with a different kind of kick.

The Muscles from Brussels revealed how he left the glitz and glamour of Hollywood behind him after "years of living the life" and opened up on his latest career move - Irish whiskey. Speaking to the Mirror from a bustling bar in Belfast on his 63rd birthday, the Double Impact star described how Hollywood living was "too crazy for me" and insists he has now "gone back to the roots".

And part of that return has seen him revisit his childhood memories as he discussed how his move from pulling punches to distilling whiskey came about. Admitting it wasn't always on his agenda to join forces with the team behind Old Oak, he confirmed his admiration for what he labelled "l'eau de vie" (the water of life) came initially from his younger days and visits to his grandfather.

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Explaining how his parents owned a florist shop in Belgium when he was a child, he opened up on the days they would send him to be with his grandparents on a farm during their busy trading periods. He revealed the fun memories and smells that take him back there as he looked back on the good old days when he would sitting by his grandad.

He vividly remembers the smell of whiskey and cigars and believes now is the time to reignite those senses by putting his own whiskey on the market.

Reminiscing, he said: "You know, secondhand smoking is dangerous for you, I understand. But at that time, two generations ago, I was sitting on his legs and grandpa was moving his legs like I was on a little rollercoaster, [while having] this cigar. It didn't blow in my face but he was dipping his cigar in that gold-ish brownish colour; whiskey of course. And I was attracted by this smell. So when he talked to me I smelled that whiskey and that cigar together. It was like wow."

Fast forward 50 years, Jean-Claude decided that instead of trying to make his own from scratch, the best way to be involved in his own whiskey would be to follow the roots of the drink and he found himself pairing up with a company in Northern Ireland. "We found Old Oak," he said. "Which I think is a great name. We have three and five year old whiskeys at the moment."

Describing why he opted to become a big partner in the brand, Jean-Claude continued: "It's very light which means you can feel the whiskey. It truly will invade your mouth before your mouth will discover it. I like the smell, I like the taste."

And his new partners behind the craft premium whiskey couldn't be happier at having the Hollywood icon's input. Kevin Carson and his Old Oak co-Director and co- shareholder Ian Rowlands said: "Jean-Claude embodies the very essence of our brand with his unwavering strength, exceptional character, and unparalleled precision. His relentless pursuit of perfection and attention to detail make him the quintessential representation of our brand.”"

The product is certainly a far cry from the actor's first career break in Bloodsport in 1988 and throwing kicks at a producer’s head to get an audition, but it's clearly part of his big plan which will further help him push towards his philanthropic goals.

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