Laphroaig 12-year-old and Laphroaig 14-year-old Willem Dafoe lead today’s review, bringing together two distinctive Islay whiskies and one unmistakable name. Celebrity collaborations in spirits often sit somewhere between genuine passion projects and smart storytelling, and whisky is one of the categories where that relationship feels especially natural. From brand partnerships to special editions created with distilleries, these releases show how a famous name can add another layer of interest to the glass. Here, though, the focus stays where it should be: on the whisky itself, with these two Laphroaig expressions taking centre stage.
Laphroaig 12-year-old (2025) Review
The Laphroaig 12 Year Old ‘Exclusive for Travelers’ is a single malt Scotch whisky released initially into travel retail (specifically Heinemann airports like Frankfurt and Munich) towards the end of 2025, with a broader global airport rollout occurring in early 2026. As the name suggests, it carries a 12-year-old age statement. This Laphroaig is matured exclusively in ex-bourbon American white oak barrels, and bottled at 46% ABV (not at 40%, yay!), without chill filtration and at natural colour. Despite being a travel retail release, this 12-year-old is sold in a 70cl format rather than the traditional 1-litre travel retail size. It generally retails around €55 to €63 (approximately £45–£53 / $60–$68) in European duty-free shops, with online specialist retailers currently listing it from €55 in mainland Europe.
Colour:
Pale gold.
Nose:
Neat: The nose immediately delivers the signature, unapologetic Laphroaig medicinal peat smoke and ash. However, the extra two years in American oak (compared to the regular 10-year-old) bring forward a pronounced wave of vanilla, sweet crusty pastry, and toasted wood. Sitting just beneath the ash are surprising and welcome notes of tropical fruits, specifically mango and peach, with a touch of canned pineapple syrup, intermingled with classic coastal sea spray and salt.
Palate:
Neat: The palate has a nice, viscous texture thanks to the 46% ABV and lack of chill filtration. It leads with a powerful interplay of heavy, earthy peat smoke and a surprisingly sweet vanilla oak influence. As it develops, the tropical fruit notes detected on the nose return, this time delivering waves of peach and dried orange peel alongside a maritime saltiness.
Finish:
The finish is long, warming, and distinctly Laphroaig. It leaves a lasting, beautiful interplay between lingering dry campfire ashes, coastal seaweed, and a final, rewarding touch of tropical fruit sweetness.
Comments:
This Laphroaig 12-year-old is a clear step-up from the regular 10-year-old that became, over the years, just a cold ashtray. The 12 brings back some fruitiness and maritime notes that provide additional complexity, but that said complexity does stay quite low nonetheless. A nice everyday peated dram, not too expensive,
Rating: 6/10
Laphroaig 14-year-old Willem Dafoe (2026) Review
Laphroaig “Willem by Willem” is a 14-year-old limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky released in spring 2026, created in collaboration with actor Willem Dafoe. The liquid was initially matured in classic ex-bourbon American oak casks before being finished in Oloroso sherry casks. It is bottled at 53.7% ABV, non-chill filtered and with natural colour. Initially launched via a ballot on Laphroaig’s website, it was subsequently rolled out to select global retailers. The official release price was set at £139 in the UK (with specialist retailers listing it around £138), €147 in Europe, and roughly $156 in the US.
Colour:
Clay.
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens with Laphroaig’s unmistakable, heavy Islay peat smoke, but it is immediately richer and rounder than the standard 10-year-old. The Oloroso sherry influence is prominent, weaving dark, sweet notes of cherry syrup, grenadine, and campfire-grilled peaches through the classic coastal aromas of sea breeze, burnt oak, and medicinal iodine.
With water: Adding a splash of water slightly tames the heavy, medicinal iodine and allows the softer, floral elements to emerge. The dark cherry sweetness softens into notes of vanilla, toasted almonds, and a delicate hint of jasmine, while the peat smoke becomes earthier and more reminiscent of a damp log fire.
Palate:
Neat: The 53.7% ABV delivers a thick, syrupy mouthfeel that commands attention. It arrives with a powerful punch of rich caramel, dark dried fruits, and red currants driven by the sherry finish. This rich sweetness is perfectly counterbalanced by an intense wave of medicinal ash, sea salt, black pepper, and charred oak.
With water: Dilution mellows the peppery heat and brings out a distinct citrus character, specifically charred grapefruit and orange peels. The heavy ash and iodine integrate smoothly with a softer, sweeter core of strawberry shortcake, vanilla, and roasted nuts, making the peat smoke feel well rounded and complex.
Finish:
The finish is long, warming, and mouthwatering. The sweet, dark fruit syrup fades gracefully, leaving behind a lasting impression of dry, old oak, lingering campfire smoke, and a final, savoury touch of coastal sea salt.
Comments:
I’m usually fearful of associations between well-known people and whisky brands, but here this Laphroaig 14-year-old Willem Dafoe is a successful expression. The Oloroso finish feels better integrated than on the 10-year-old Sherry Oak Finish from a few years ago. The smoke stays powerful and integrated at the same time, there is enough fruitiness, this is really well made. I would have loved it to be a bit cheaper; it feels slightly expensive, but it really is a very good whisky.