Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year

Loads of pear, cinnamon and vanilla

There’s a lot of celebrity spirits out there, and in fact, if you’re a celebrity and you don’t have a spirit, it’s as if you’re lacking. Right up there in that street cred, like having an Oscar sitting on your mantle. But, I find I can’t seem to link the spirit with the marketed personality of the celebrity. So, case and point: I found Wild Turkey Longbranch smooth and silky. I don’t associate smooth and silky with its celebrity sponsor, Matthew Mcaunaugey. (Sp?). But this one...spot on with Nick Offerman. My impression of Mr.Offerman is down to earth, no-nonsense, a man’s man. Hats off to Diageo for nailing the association. ( you made up for the entire GoT blunder...how the hell is the Targaryen a Cardu??!). So...onto this pour, which by the way was graciously provided by my buddy @Richard-ModernDrinking . The smoke is evident throughout the nose and palette, as to be expected. It’s a Lagavulin absolutely. But, here’s the kicker...it’s not as potent as the 16. I’d expect this to be brutish compared to its older brother. But it’s not, instead it has a strong smoky caramel flavor throughout, with some fruity backbone. Really well made; one that I can imagine Mr.Offerman truly enjoying, not such pitching an ad. Some places are pricing this above the 16. Look...it’s good, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves...it’s no better or worse than the 16. It’s just different. But I’d not pay more than the 16. If you see it for less than the 16, a strong buy recommendation.