Laphroaig releases short film featuring Willem Dafoe

Laphroaig, for the first, has collaborated with actor Willem Dafoe to launch a short film, ‘The Taste’, forming the centerpiece of a global advertising campaign, alongside a tease of a limited-edition whisky scheduled for release in 2026.

Both Willem and Laphroaig are known for their distinctive character and unapologetic individuality, making the partnership a natural fit. “The Taste depicts that sort of familiarity that’s found when exploring Laphroaig. It’s the flavours and how they come together,” said the actor, recalling his first trip to Scotland as a child and his deep sense of connection to the land.

The film highlights Willem’s whimsical search to define Laphroaig’s unmistakable taste. In one scene, inspired by his childhood curiosity, he recounts spending two days inside a wardrobe to create the experience of space travel. The narrative also features fan contributions from Friends of Laphroaig, capturing the whisky’s boldness through humorous and poetic descriptions.

Senior Whisky Maker Sarah Dowling, who worked closely with Willem, said, “When we tried to imagine Laphroaig as a human being, we immediately thought of Willem Dafoe. He is the very embodiment of our bold and distinctive spirit… I wasn’t expecting there to be so many synergies between his approach to craft as an actor and mine as a whisky maker.”

To mark the campaign’s launch, Laphroaig renamed The Barley Mow pub in London’s Mayfair to ‘The Barley Dafoe’ from September 22–25, where the guests sampled a bespoke cocktail, ‘The Other Island.’ The drink will roll out at select bars worldwide in the coming months.