Nick Offerman's Latest Lagavulin Edition is Out, This One Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks

Scotland’s smoky Islay single malt producer Lagavulin has unveiled its latest Offerman Edition, made in collaboration with comic actor and writer Nick Offerman. This one, the fourth in the series, is finished in Caribbean rum casks, and Offerman says it was inspired by his “sense of adventure” and a whimsical sail in the Caribbean. Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Caribbean Rum Cask Finish is aged over 11 years in bourbon and sherry casks and then given an 8-month finish in rum casks, all curated by blending master Stuart Morrison. It’s priced at $90 and is available nationwide in limited quantities.

Offerman’s collaboration with Lagavulin traces its roots back to his “Parks and Recreation” days. His whisky of choice back then as now was Lagavulin, and it was also a favorite of the show’s creator Mike Schur. When an episode was written to show his character Ron Swanson sipping a scotch, Lagavulin got the part. It was only a matter of time before Lagavulin's owner Diageo reached out with the idea of teaming up, and the first Offerman Edition appeared in 2019—an 11 year old (like all of them since) that was billed as being a bit more peated than the core product. It scored well but wasn’t widely viewed as a standout. Then came Lagavulin Offerman Edition Guinness Cask Finish in 2021, which scored 95 points and became our Whisky of the Year. In 2022 we were treated to the 11 year old Charred Oak Cask, which was inspired by three of Offerman’s passions: woodworking, steak, and scotch.

This new expression aims to balance Lagavulin’s smoky, meaty character with the sweet fruit flavors of the Caribbean. As always, Offerman had his own inimitable comment on the project. “There have been many accusations leveled against me regarding my desire to concoct the perfect dram to sit and sip whilst viewing my favorite mermaid musicals so that I might feel even more fully like a Scottish-Caribbean underwater siren-princess,” he said. “To these scurrilous abusers I have only this to say: What I do in my own time, whether under the sea or above it, is nobody's business but my own. Slàinte mhath.”

This Friday, May 10th, Los Angeles residents can enjoy Nick Offerman and his whisky adventures in all their glory by stepping into a multi-sensory pop-up in Venice Beach Los Angeles. Located at 57 Windward Avenue, the experience promises to “transport visitors to the Caribbean and Scottish Isles, fully immersing guests in the sights, sounds, and flavors that served as the muse" for this new expression. The event is invite-only, but you can try and score an invitation by enrolling on AnyRoad.