Thomas Doherty The Glenlivet Tartan Campaign: See Photos, Buy Scotch

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With his mischievous good looks and killer charm, Thomas Doherty is no stranger to bringing the drama to shows like Gossip Girl and Tell Me Liesbut the actor's latest project is bringing tartan back, to the forefront of fashion and functions.

Doherty has teamed up with The Glenlivet for a new partnership that celebrates the iconic Scottish pattern alongside The Glenlivet's signature Speywide single malt scotch. As part of the collaboration, a new “Glenlivet tartan” is being unveiled in conjunction with Locharran of Scotland, the world's leading manufacturer of authentic Scottish tartan. Finished in a teal blue colorway with shades of whiskey “amber,” brown and beige, the print pays homage to the checkered pattern first established in the Scottish Highlands centuries ago, while reimagining it for the fashion set today.

The tartan print is available now as part of a limited-edition set on ReserveBar.com, that includes a bottle of The Glenlivet 12-Year scotch whiskey along with a bucket hat, scarf and set of playing cards.

For Doherty, the chance to partner with The Glenlivet was a way to proudly show off his Scottish roots while celebrating the holidays. The Edinburgh native says there was always a bottle of The Glenlivet around the house, especially during this time of year.

“Being a Scotsman and growing up in Scotland, you know the Glenlivet your whole life,” the actor tells Rolling Stone. “So it felt like an honor to be able to work with this company and with this team.”

On the heels of The Glenlivet's “Speyside Meets Stateside” release, Rolling Stone caught up with Doherty to chat about whisky, holiday traditions and the right way to wear a kilt.

You mentioned growing up around scotch whiskey in Scotland, but what's your first memory of drinking scotch yourself?

That was what my family used to drink a lot, and it was always kind of at weddings and Christmases and birthdays. But I remember I actually got a bottle of The Glenlivet for my 18th birthday, which is the legal drinking age in Scotland, so it's very nostalgic, and it's quite deeply ingrained into my life. Also just being Scottish, it's the definitive single malt scotch of our country.

Aside from special occasions, where and how do you like to drink scotch?

The Glenlivet is inspired by a Gaelic term that I think directly translates to “water of life,” so, it is an occasion drink for us. I mean, my uncle's always got a bottle when we go over on Boxing Day. But it doesn't have to be that, and it isn't just that. I mean, I personally like to drink it in a cocktail. So if I go out, for example, I like to have a twist on the Old Fashioned, or a Manhattan — it doesn't have to be this kind of drink where you sit around and smoke a cigar and have a scotch you know?

This new campaign also celebrates tartan, which is a traditional Scottish emblem. Is it true that all Scottish people grow up owning some sort of tartan item?

Oh god, I mean, I had a teddy bear when I was a baby, and it was tartan in terms of clothing, but it's just so interwoven into our culture, from scarves to pajamas. And then, I remember my cousin's wedding, where I wore a kilt for the first time, and I just felt a million bucks. I felt amazing. I mean, to put a Scotsman in a kilt is just so empowering, and it makes you so proud to be Scottish. And I even remember, when I was doing the fitting for The Glenlivet with their tartan, the stylist was like, 'You even stand differently when you're wearing it.' It's like it does something to me; there's something inside of my DNA that knows I'm wearing a kilt.

Would you wear a tartan kilt outside of Scottish events?

It's not an everyday thing, but I really think we should bring that back. As far as tartan goes, it's extremely interwoven into fashion, and I know you guys call it 'plaid,' but they're very different things. I think The Glenlivet has done an amazing job of reimagining tartan for this next generation, while maintaining respect for Scottish craftsmanship. It's really exciting to see my culture being integrated into other cultures and into the fashion world. It makes me very proud.

Okay, let's settle this once and for all: what do you wear under a kilt?

Well, you can wear whatever you want under a kilt. If you're a true Scotsman, it gets a bit breezy, for sure.

If you were to make a playlist of Scottish artists to listen to over the holidays, who would be on it?

My favorite is Paulo Nutini. Have you heard of him? I absolutely love him. And I mean, everyone knows Annie Lennox at this point, but she's still worth a shout out for sure. And there's a new guy called Gerry Cinnamon and his music has like a lightness to it. He sings a song called “Belter” and a song called “Sometimes,” which is one of my favorite songs right now.

I grew up listening to a Scottish band called Travis.

No way! Did you listen to Travis? I grew up with Travis as well. My dad used to love them, so I used to listen to them all the time. Oh, that's so crazy. And they were super good. Then there's the band Biffy Clyro, and obviously Lewis Capaldi is amazing.

What are your actual plans for the holidays? Any special traditions?

So I go back to Scotland every year and it's all family. There's only the five of us, but my parents make it really special. In Edinburgh are the Christmas markets, and there are Christmas light shows, and we'll go ice skating and we'll go for lunch and we'll go for walks. I mean, rarely do you find a city where there's a castle on top of a dormant volcano that has a light show.

Pub culture is also really big in Scotland, and when it's freezing cold outside and it's raining, or it's snowing, you can go into a cozy little pub with low ceilings, and there's a fire blazing. It's really, really special.

Who's responsible for the turkey this year?

We don't actually do the turkey. I think my dad's doing his own personal spin on a prawn cocktail, and he makes this amazing French onion soup. And I think we're having steaks this year. And then my mom will give dessert.

And you'll bring the drinks.

I'm bringing The Glenlivet for sure. That's kind of what the holidays really mean to me, to come together and enjoy some good food and enjoy some good drinks and just be grateful for each other and appreciate how blessed and how lucky we are.