Diageo drops Hollywood director’s whiskey amid claims of sexual misconduct

Diageo has reportedly dropped a whiskey brand produced in collaboration with Hollywood director Brett Ratner amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

The drinks giant teamed up with Ratner, known for directing the Rush Hour film series and X Men: The Last Stand, in April of last year to produce Hilhaven Lodge – a blend of American whiskies including Bourbon from the 2000s, Tennessee whiskey from the 1990s and rye whiskey from the 1980s.

According to reports published this month by the Los Angeles Times, as many as 11 women, including actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Ratner – allegations that he has denied.

“Due to the nature of these allegations, The Hilhaven Lodge Whiskey has been discontinued,” a spokesperson for the British distillery confirmed in a statement.

The director has also been dropped as producer of an upcoming sequel to Wonder Woman, after leading actress Gal Gadot threatened to not take part if Ratner was involved.

The whiskey had taken its name from Ratner’s Hilhaven Lodge in Beverly Hills, known as “posh playground of Hollywood’s elite”, and which was previously home to Hollywood luminaries including Casablanca star Ingrid Bergman, Vertigo actress Kim Novak and Grease producer Allan Carr, who installed a disco.

The whiskey’s label reads: “The lodge quickly became the private playground for those who live in the spotlight, a haven where they could be themselves.”