Actor Willem Dafoe is getting into the whisky business with Laphroaig.
The Suntory-owned Scotch whisky partnered with Dafoe to create a limited-edition product, set for release next year. To unveil the collaboration, the actor stars in a black and white short film in which he tries to capture the taste of the famously smoky single malt.
Dafoe likens his search to define Laphroaig’s taste to a childhood quest to understand astronauts who travel to space. It’s a poetic meditation on taste and memory.
He then reads other descriptions of the whisky from opinionated fans of the brand.
Legendary director Tim Pope, famous for his work on music videos for the likes of David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and The Cure, directed the cinematic ad.
This is the latest installment of Laphroaig’s global “Unphorettable” campaign, which launched last year. It will run across digital, paid social, out-of-home, print, PR, and in-store promotions.
Laphroaig also enlisted lauded mixologist Meaghan Dorman to create a bespoke cocktail, named “The Other Island,” in honor of the partnership.