Jameson Whiskey Taps ‘Kraven the Hunter’ Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson and ‘Poor Things’ Director Yorgos Lanthimos for Campaign

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the star of a new Jameson campaign. (Photo: Jameson)

Jameson Irish Whiskey announced the launch of its global video campaign launch on Tuesday, featuring the talents of “Kraven The Hunter” actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The campaign is for Jameson Black Barrel, the brand’s premium whiskey expression.

The short film is titled “Jameson Black Barrel — the Greatest Story Almost Told” and is directed by five-time-Oscar-nominee Yorgos Lanthimos, known for projects like ‘The Favourite” and “Poor Things.”

The campaign follows Taylor-Johnson as he takes an adventure through a reimagined version of the distillery to discover the secrets behind each bottle. According to Jameson, as Taylor-Johnson tries to figure out the secrets behind Jameson Black Barrel, he learns that the secrets “aren’t written down” but exist in the minds of its creators.

“Well, I can tell you this — it’s the greatest whiskey I ever drank and the greatest story I never did tell,” Taylor-Johnson quips at the end of the campaign while raising a glass of Jameson to camera.

Jameson’s campaign additionally involves the talents of Oscar-winning set designer Shona Heath, and Heath was responsible for reimagining a “heightened” version of the Jameson distillery.

“When I visited the home of Jameson in Cork, Ireland, I was inspired by the genuine meticulousness to craft and process, as well as an allegiance to the company ethos,” Taylor-Johnson said in a news release. “From the Master Cooper to the Master Blender, I witnessed firsthand the collective passion to create and define the prestige of the Jameson Black Barrel product. The collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos was exhilarating — working with such a visionary director to proudly uphold the legacy of a product I deeply admire.”

This campaign falls within the Irish whiskey brand’s “Must Be A Jameson” campaign, which launched in November 2023. The brand is known for collaborating with top-tier talent, and the inaugural campaign was narrated by none other than “Oppenheimer” actor Cillian Murphy. The initial spot was for Jameson’s flagship Irish whiskey, and the campaign featuring Taylor-Johnson is to promote the brand’s higher-tier expression.

“Jameson Black Barrel perfectly exemplifies our tradition of innovation in Irish whiskey making — it’s a whiskey that wouldn’t be possible without the expertise of our team and the generations before them,” Irish Distillers CEO Nodjame Fouad said in a statement. “We are excited to bring this exceptional whiskey and its sleek new look to life through our new campaign, featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, whose passion mirrors the spirit and craftsmanship of Jameson Black Barrel.”

Jameson Black Barrel is aged for up to 16 years in double-charred barrels, according to Jameson. The Irish whiskey brand claims it differs from regular Jameson in that it features a higher ratio of single-pot Irish whiskey blended with small-batch grain whiskey.

The campaign can be viewed below:

Jameson Black Barrel Tasting Notes, Via the Brand

Nose: Butterscotch, fudge and toffee.

Palate: Nutty, with smooth sweetness, spice and vanilla.

Finish: Richly toasted wood and vanilla.