Willem Dafoe lends his name to Mayfair pub in Laphroaig whisky campaign
Hollywood actor Willem Dafoe has temporarily lent his name to a historic London pub as part of a promotional collaboration with Laphroaig whisky. From now until 9 am on Thursday, 25th September 2025, The Barley Mow in Mayfair has been rebranded as The Barley Dafoe to mark the launch of a limited-edition cocktail co-created by Dafoe and award-winning mixologist Meaghan Dorman. The cocktail, named The Other Island, will be available exclusively at the pub until 19th October before being introduced at selected bars internationally.
The initiative is part of Laphroaig’s ongoing Unphorgettable campaign, which aims to highlight the distinctive flavour and bold character of its Islay single malt whisky. The newly launched drink, The Other Island, features Laphroaig 10-Year-Old whisky, pineapple, and Amaro, and it draws inspiration from Dafoe’s personal experiences and international lifestyle. According to the actor, the cocktail is a blend of his love for Scotland, his Italian home, and sunnier escapes all in one unforgettable drink.
The Barley Mow, located at 82 Duke Street, is a long-standing Mayfair establishment. Its temporary rebranding to The Barley Dafoe is one element of a broader marketing campaign that also includes a short film titled The Taste. The film depicts Dafoe’s whimsical attempts to describe the unique profile of Laphroaig whisky, drawing on anecdotes from his own life. These include childhood efforts to simulate space travel by sitting in a wardrobe for two days, as well as his experience owning alpacas. The film also shows Dafoe reading humorous tasting notes submitted by fans of the whisky, known as Friends of Laphroaig.
Laphroaig’s Unphorgettable campaign, launched in October 2024, uses animated Taste Characters to visualise the varied and often eccentric descriptions offered by real drinkers. The campaign underscores the brand’s emphasis on individuality and strong flavour, with the tagline Once tasted, never forgotten.
Food Desk
The pub rebranding is open to the public, with no booking required. For further information and reservations, visit The Barley Mow’s website here. For more on Laphroaig, visit the website here.
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