Willem Dafoe Joins Forces With Laphroaig

Single malt scotch distiller Laphroaig is celebrating the differences that make life interesting in a new campaign with actor Willem Dafoe, whose films include At Eternity’s Gate, Platoon, Shadow of the Vampire, and Spider-Man, among others. The effort is a first for Laphroaig that includes a short film, an ad campaign, a new signature cocktail debuting at bars around the world, and the tease of a new specialty whisky created with input from the actor that’s slated for release next year.

While Laphroaig fans wait on the whisky, they can try the brand’s new bespoke cocktail The Other Island (recipe below), which made its global debut in London at The Barley Mow pub. The drink blends Laphroaig 10 year old with Amaro Ciociaro, fresh pineapple and lemon juices, spiced cinnamon syrup, and Prosecco to evoke a tropical and spiced Spritz-style cocktail. Mixologist Meaghan Dorman created the drink, and it’s set to be featured at select bars around the globe over the next few months.

The Dafoe partnership is the latest installment in Laphroaig’s “Unphorgettable” campaign, which launched last year. Unphorgettable highlights Laphroaig’s unique flavor, and that theme runs through Dafoe’s new short film for the brand, called The Taste, which was released this week. Laphroaig describes “The Taste” as a whimsical short film that brings to life Dafoe’s attempt to define the scotch’s flavor, which the actor can’t explain. The three-minute piece emphasizes the uniqueness of both Laphroaig’s flavor and Dafoe’s personality.

In the film, Dafoe uses inspiration from his own life—the opening scene shows him locked inside a wardrobe, which he actually did as a child, to try to experience what it would be like to be an astronaut in space. Throughout the piece, Dafoe seeks to find words to adequately describe Laphroaig, using his own words and reciting amusing and outrageous descriptions that were submitted by the Friends of Laphroaig, the scotch’s 700,000-member whisky society. The Taste was directed by Tim Pope, who’s known for his work on music videos for artists like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Neil Young, and The Cure.

The Unphorgettable campaign aims to personify the flavor elements of Laphroaig. Some of those “flavor characters” include an angel, a donkey, a pack of wolves, and swirling waves.

The Other Island

• 1 ½ oz. Laphroaig 10 year old
• 1 tsp. Amaro Ciociaro
• 1 oz. pressed pineapple juice
• ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp. spiced cinnamon syrup
• Top with Prosecco

Shake and double strain into a coupe, then top with Prosecco and garnish with a pineapple wedge.