Style: Single malt Scotch whisky finished in Caribbean rum barrels
Age: 11 years
Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
Region: Islay, Scotland
In a world full of celebrity-promoted booze, it’s only natural to feel cynical — when half of the cast of the “Jumanji” remake has their own tequila brands, things might have gone too far. So it’s a rare and welcome thing when a liquor brand pairing with a celebrity actually feels natural and makes sense. That’s certainly the case with Lagavulin and actor Nick Offerman. Offerman’s love of whiskey, and specifically Lagavulin, was on full display in “Parks and Rec”, where, in an instance of art imitating life, Lagavulin 16 was the on-screen favorite of his character Ron Swanson. Not long after the show ended, the partnership between the legendary Islay distillery and Offerman began.
The 2024 release of the Lagavulin 11 Offerman Edition Caribbean is the fourth whisky released by the distillery with Offerman’s name, likeness, and his blessing displayed on the bottle. Past releases have seen Lagavulin’s distillate finished in a fun array of barrels, namely Guinness barrels and heavily charred oak. For this year’s Offerman Edition, Lagavulin aged their whisky for an additional 8 months in ex-Carribbean rum barrels with the intent to create an expression that displays “a symphony of sweet and smoky flavors.” Let’s see how they did.
Tasting notes
The nose on this golden-hued whisky is equal parts sweet and smoky. There are notes of grilled pineapple and caramelized banana that are balanced with a character reminiscent of the smell of wood-smoked pit barbecue. Once sipped, the whisky presents a similar profile where the brûléed fruit notes are front and center. The peat smoke is much more subdued, but still present, tempered by notes of lemon, caramel, and honey. The finish starts with a pop of peppery lemon zest that wanes into a wave of caramel and gentle peat smoke.
Final thoughts
This edition of Lagavulin 11 Offerman Edition, like its predecessors, is quite delicious. It’s an easy sipper that smartly doesn’t stray too far from the traditional profile associated with the venerable Lagavulin 16. The rum casks give the whisky a distinct character of tropical fruit and Where many people can find Islay peated whiskies to be challengingly smoky (not me), this bottle is a bit sweeter and more mellow in its smokiness, making it a well-suited first dram for anyone who has reservations about smoke-heavy Scotch. It isn’t the most complex, or surprising pour, but it’s tasty and dangerously easy to sip.
