Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.

American actor, Nick Offerman is best known for his role as libertarian government worker Ron Swanson in the TV show Parks and Recreation. His character's favourite dram is Lagavulin (and reportedly, it's Nick's favourite too!) His passion for Islay kickstarted a partnership with Lagavulin in 2014. Several iterations of the 'Offerman Edition' have been released since. 46% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Saline, smoke, seaweed, and iodine mingle with biscuity shortbread, lemon, bubble gum, bright berry fruit, and wafting floral aromas. The palate glides silkily from lemon, orange, and soapy-floral flavors to almonds, hazelnuts, drying oak, and hints of ginger, with peat smoke and salt weaving throughout. Sweet, then bitter on the finish, showcasing cigar ash, leather, and polished oak. Actor Nick Offerman, who collaborated with the distillery on this single malt, could hardly be described as reticent, but his whisky has a sweet shyness that works well in the glass. 89 points - whiskyadvocate.com

...Mr Offerman is some kind of very talented comedian, apparently, but he's practically unknown in Alsace and in France, so let's focus on the whisky… Having said that, since this is a '3rd Edition', that fine fellow should really be very well-known somewhere. Perhaps on Islay? Colour: light gold. Nose: starts with banana foam, dried pineapple cubes and guava syrup, which suggests charred oak indeed. Very gentle, pretty un-Lagavulin so far. Notes of daiquiri then, while the famous smoke's starting to slowly take over (phew!) More charred things, coconut, maize syrup, then flowers (elderberry, acacia beignets), marshmallows… I'm not hundred percent sure Lagavulin and heavy char do tango well, actually. A little sweet on your nose. Mouth: the smoky spirit is fighting back, but the syrupy sweetness has not said its last word yet. More marshmallows, wine gums, dried fruits (especially coconut, papaya and pineapple), vanilla liqueur… Finish: medium and very sweet. Comments: I like it, I like anything Lagavulin anyway, but this one rather reminds me of the neighbours' 'Select' or 'An Oa'. In short, it's not exactly necessary in my book. Oh and not sure heavy charring really belongs to Scotch whisky anyway. As Dilbert used to say, 'Innovation? You go first!' While others used to say that being in the wind was the ambition of a dead leaf. Okay, okay… 84 points - whiskyfun.com