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Laphroaig Taps Willem Dafoe for ‘Unphorgettable’ Film, Cocktail Rollout and 2026 Limited Whisky

The partnership centers on cinematic storytelling that elevates fan tasting notes into a broader experiential push.

Overview

  • Laphroaig launched a new film, The Taste, starring Willem Dafoe, who performs dramatic readings of descriptions from the Friends of Laphroaig community.
  • The campaign expands globally across out-of-home, print, PR and in-store placements in key markets including the US, UK, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Japan, Australia and Global Travel Retail.
  • A limited-edition Laphroaig co-created by Dafoe and senior blender Sarah Dowling is officially planned for 2026.
  • Mixologist Meaghan Dorman’s bespoke cocktail, The Other Island, debuts at The Barley Mow in Mayfair before rolling out to select bars worldwide.
  • Statements from Dafoe and Suntory Global Spirits executive Chris Richardson frame the collaboration as a brand fit within a wider trend of celebrity-led whisky partnerships.