Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year Guinness Cask Finish Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml

Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year Guinness Cask Finish is the second collaboration between Islay's iconic Lagavulin Distillery (founded 1816 by John Johnston in Lagavulin Bay on the south coast of Islay, between Laphroaig and Ardbeg) and American actor, woodworker, and Lagavulin enthusiast Nick Offerman. Released May 2021 and famously named Whisky Advocate's Whisky of the Year 2021, beating out a crowded field of ultra aged, barrel proof, and otherwise formidable contenders to take the number one spot, this expression takes 11 year old Lagavulin and finishes it for an additional 4 months in former Guinness Beer casks sourced from the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore, Maryland. The cask selection was made by Nick Offerman alongside his father Ric Offerman and Lagavulin Distillery Manager Colin Gordon, born from the simple shared idea that both Lagavulin Scotch and Guinness stout were enjoyed at the end of a long workday, so why not combine the two. The result is a global first marriage of an Islay single malt with an Irish stout cask, layering Lagavulin's classic intense peat and woodfire smoke with creamy caramel, roasted coffee, and dark chocolate notes drawn from the Guinness barrels. Bottled at 46% ABV in 750ml with Nick Offerman's portrait and signature on the bottle, this is a discontinued limited edition that has become one of the most collected modern Lagavulin releases. Rated 95 points and crowned Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year 2021. Grand Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Pale gold with sunflower oil bright translucency.

Nose: Signature Lagavulin peat and woodfire smoke layered with creamy caramel and dark chocolate from the Guinness casks, with citrus, barbecue smoke, briny sea spray, grilled lemons with singed rinds, faint beer hops, and the unmistakable "sweet peat" character that defines this release.

Palate: A flavor bomb of aromatic peat, roasted coffee, butterscotch, juicy red berries, green toffee apples, dark chocolate, dark roasted barley, brighter and more playful than typical Lagavulin, with a notable creaminess from the Guinness cask influence not usually found in Lagavulin expressions.

Finish: Long and intense, with lingering peat, fresh espresso, rich dark chocolate, and a smoldering campfire smokiness that fades slowly across the palate.

FAQ

Why was this named Whisky of the Year 2021? Whisky Advocate magazine selected the Lagavulin Offerman Edition Guinness Cask Finish as its overall Whisky of the Year 2021, beating out a crowded field of ultra aged, barrel proof, and otherwise formidable contenders. The judges cited the unexpected creativity of pairing Islay peat with Irish stout casks, the harmonious balance achieved by the relatively short 4 month finishing window (which let both spirits shine without one overwhelming the other), and the brighter, more playful character of younger Lagavulin combined with the dark chocolate and roasted coffee depth from the Guinness casks. The "Whisky of the Year" honor cemented this release as one of the most significant Lagavulin bottlings of the modern era.

How did Nick Offerman get involved with Lagavulin? Nick Offerman is best known for portraying Ron Swanson in the cult NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, a character whose famous on screen love of Lagavulin was written into the show specifically because actor Nick Offerman is a genuine Lagavulin enthusiast in real life. Lagavulin Distillery (also owned by Diageo) embraced the connection, and in 2019 the brand launched its first Offerman Edition limited release in collaboration with Offerman directly. This Guinness Cask Finish is the second release in the ongoing Offerman series, followed by a third Charred Oak Cask Finish edition in 2023.

Where did the Guinness casks come from? The 4 month finishing casks came directly from the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore, Maryland (the American outpost of the legendary Dublin Guinness brewing tradition). The empty stout casks retained residual roasted barley, dark chocolate, sweet caramel, and coffee compounds from their original Guinness aging, which then infused into the Lagavulin spirit during the secondary maturation. This was a global first: an Islay single malt finished in Irish stout casks.

How rare is this bottle? Strictly limited and discontinued. The 2021 release was a single allocation produced once at original SRP around $80 to $100 USD, with global distribution closing once initial inventory sold through. Wine-Searcher's current US market average sits at $199 to $219 per 750ml for the non vintage release, with the 2022 designated batches commanding even higher premiums up to $483. Sealed bottles in original presentation packaging are increasingly scarce on the secondary market.

Where can I buy Lagavulin Offerman Guinness Cask Finish online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.