Willem Dafoe has released his first single malt whisky with Laphroaig, named ‘Willem by Willem’, marking his first contribution since becoming a friend of the Islay distillery last year.
The legendary Hollywood actor worked with Laphroaig’s senior whisky maker, Sarah Dowling, who flew to his alpaca farm in Italy with a bunch of samples. Dafoe chose a 14-year-old Scotch finished in oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 57.3% ABV.
As far as tasting notes go, that’s all you’re getting. Dafoe has made it clear that he doesn’t consider tasting notes when drinking Scotch whisky. He’s here for the ones that taste good, and he thought this one tasted very good.
Dafoe says: “It was a pleasure learning about each of the whiskies shortlisted to be ‘the one’. 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. 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.”
So there are no official tasting notes (of course, The World of Fine Spirits’ tasting notes can be found here), and that is a refreshing approach from a major brand. Tasting notes are subjective, but they are hugely influential to others. If I tell you the whisky tastes like vanilla, you’d better believe your next sip will taste like ice cream.
Without those prompts, drinkers have a better chance of forming their own opinions. But this is a Laphraoig we are talking about, one of the most distinctive distillery characters out there. It will be medicinal, there will be seaweed, and there will be smoke. Oloroso sherry often imparts dried fruit and Christmas spices, depending on the length of the finish.
For Dowling, who earns a living by deciding which whiskies taste good and bad, couldn’t help but give something for buyers to go on, saying: “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. 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.”
Rich and complex, you say? I’m sold.
This limited edition, of which there is an unknown quantity, will first go out to Laphroaig subscribers before hitting the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and Australia, priced at £139 / $156. Considering the age statement and limited nature, that strikes us as good value (as mentioned in our Father’s Day roundup).
