by Magnus Wake

As one of the directors at BrightWolf Films, I had the privilege of leading our team on an exhilarating project that not only showcased our expertise in creating brand films but also immersed us in the rich heritage of Scotland’s whisky industry.

We were tasked by Ardbeg, one of Scotland’s most distinguished whiskies, to capture the essence of their latest offering, “The Rollercoaster.” This project was not just about filming a whisky; it was about telling the story of a spirit that has weathered the storms of time.

Ardbeg presented us with a unique challenge: to create content for online use, including social media and advertising, that would encapsulate the history and revival of the distillery through “The Rollercoaster” whisky. This special bottling features casks from two pivotal moments in Ardbeg’s history—the time it was mothballed in 1981 and its triumphant reopening in 1989. Capturing this story meant highlighting the contrast between these two eras, encapsulated in two bottles.

Our aim was not just to showcase a product but to tell a story that resonates with whisky enthusiasts and captures the essence of the brand. This project took us to two stunning Scottish locations, the rugged island of Islay and the historic and elegant capital city of Edinburgh.

The logistics of this project were complex but handled with ease by BrightWolf’s producer Simone Bett. She coordinated the filming teams and managed the logistics of driving to the ferry port at Kennacraig (this bit of the journey felt like a roller coaster ride, up and down the Rest and be Thankful road!) then getting ferries to the island and back, which is particularly challenging with dodgy ferries at the moment. Our shoots took place in various locations at the distillery, including the newly built Still House, which houses stills that are exact replicas, down to the millimetre, of their historical counterparts. We also ventured into the old, bonded warehouses, where the air is thick with the aroma of aging whisky.

Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Master Distiller, guided us through the distillery, sharing insights into the nuances of whisky production that only decades of experience could provide. Filming with Dr. Bill Lumsden was like opening a treasure chest of stories; you never quite know what you’re going to hear. Each corner of Ardbeg has a tale, and it’s this unique identity that we aimed to capture on film.

In Edinburgh, we continued our filming with whisky expert Charles MacLean, MBE, who added layers of historical and cultural context to the content. Working with experts like Charlie ensures the authenticity of the film. His knowledge of Scottish whisky is unmatched, and it brings an invaluable perspective to the piece.

The final film was compiled by Story and includes some great artwork and product photography, all of which create a really beautiful film. A truly collaborative piece of work — the whisky is apparently very good too!

More on this story can be found in our work section. If you’re got a whisky or brand project that you need brought to life please get in touch and see how BrightWolf can help.

CREDITS

Client. ARDBEG
Brand Management. JONATHAN BRADY & LEAH SHAW HAWKINS
Agency. STORY
Agency Creative. DAVE MULLEN
BrightWolf Producer. SIMONE BETT
Dir. MAGNUS WAKE & DAVID BONI
Cinematographer. ANDREW BEGG
Product Photography. RICHARD MOUNTNEY

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