Laphroaig and actor Willem Dafoe have released a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky called ‘Willem by Willem’, a 14-year-old Oloroso cask-finished expression bottled at 53.7% ABV. The whisky, priced at $156 (£139), is available via a pre-release ballot on Laphroaig.com until April 28, with a broader UK rollout beginning May 1.
Dafoe selected the spirit alongside Laphroaig’s Senior Whisky Maker, Sarah Dowling. Rather than focusing on technical tasting notes, the actor chose the liquid that resonated most with him on a personal level.
“I made my final choice based on the whisky that evoked the most curiosity about its taste — something I still can’t put my finger on, but that’s half the fun,” said Dafoe.The collaboration marks the latest chapter in a partnership that began in September 2025, when Dafoe became an official “Friend of Laphroaig” to celebrate the Islay distillery’s signature peated style.
“For me, when I sip ‘Willem by Willem’ I experience…you tell me. For all who drink it, I hope the whisky will inspire discussion,” Dafoe added.
Dowling emphasized the personal nature of whisky appreciation and the deliberate ambiguity built into the release.
“Our experience with whisky is so personal, from how we drink it — whether neat, with water or in a cocktail — to the different opinions about its taste,” she said. “It was important to Willem and me that we selected a rich and complex spirit, unmistakably Laphroaig, but which allowed people to interpret and enjoy it in their own way.”
“The whisky speaks for itself, and I look forward to hearing what it is saying to people around the world,” Dowling added.
To accompany the launch, Laphroaig is inviting fans worldwide to submit their own creative interpretation of the whisky’s tasting notes in any medium — whether a poem, sketch, or short film. The person judged to have showcased the “boldest and most original character” will win a role alongside Dafoe in his next short film with the brand, set to be filmed later this year.
The pre-release ballot is open to Friends of Laphroaig in select markets worldwide. Following the UK launch on May 1, additional markets including the United States, Germany, Japan, and Australia will receive the whisky in the coming weeks and months.
Laphroaig, owned by Suntory Global Spirits, has long positioned itself as one of Scotch whisky’s most polarizing and distinctive brands. The distillery, located on the southern coast of Islay, is known for its intensely smoky and maritime character.
Celebrity collaborations remain a growing strategy across the spirits industry, with brands increasingly leveraging high-profile partnerships to reach broader consumer audiences beyond the traditional whisky enthusiast.
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