Laphroaig Scotch Doesn't Mind If You Think It 'Tastes Like a Burning Hospital'

Anyone who’s tried Laphroaig, one of the few truly robust Scotches that’s also widely available, knows that it sparks passionate responses ranging from delight to disgust.

Now the distiller is parsing out those perspectives in all their oddly specific glory with a new campaign called Opinions Welcome.

In the video spot from U.K. agency White Label, we see real first impressions from tasters who aren’t sure what’s being poured out of the unlabeled green bottle. As a longtime Laphroaig fan, I can attest that every reaction is 100% accurate, even the skeptically negative ones like, “I think they let the cows in that one,” and, “You can smell the seagull’s armpits.”

Of course, those who appreciate the Scotch will also recognize the accuracy of more positive references like, “briny, smoky bacon flavor” and even “damp dog and tree bark.” Hey, it’s an acquired taste. 

On that note, the brand is also rolling out a series of print executions that highlight the rather unique ways people have of summarizing Laphroaig’s feisty flavor. Check them out below.

CREDITS

Agency: White Label UK 
Managing Director: Drew Shannon  
Creative Director: Greg Saunders 
Account Director: Emily Thoubboron 
Senior Account Manager: Chris Cassell 

 



Whiskey-Loving Frank Sinatra Is the Newest Celebrity Endorser Back From the Dead

Frank knows Jack. I'm talkin' Sinatra and Daniel's, baby! The legendary crooner, who passed away in 1998, returns in a push by Arnold Worldwide to pitch a high-end version of the whiskey rolling out nationwide in June.

Would you pay $150 and up for Sinatra Select? It's 90 proof—regular Jack is 80—so your ol' blue eyes will get bloodshot faster than ever before. (The variant has been sold in duty-free stores in airports for a couple of years.)

There's digital, print and a 30-second spot mixing archival photos with big-band music stylings and nightclub scenes. In one shot, Frank hangs out with comedian Jackie Gleason, who apparently introduced the singer to Jack Daniel's in the late 1940s.

When it comes to resurrecting dead celebs as endorsers, I prefer this relatively simple approach to some efforts by other brands. It seems less forced than, say, using high-tech hijinks to make dear, departed Audrey Hepburn hawk candy bars.

Plus, Frankie was a true fan, calling the drink "the nectar of the gods" and toasting crowds at his concerts with Jack. So his presence feels genuine. It's also an interesting contrast to the week's other big spirits endorsement deal. It's hard to picture Mila Kunis pounding back Jim Beam, but imagining Sinatra goofy on Jack, slurring the words to "My Way" and cursing Ava Gardner as he stumbles into a limo? Ring a ding ding!

CREDITS
TV Spot: "Frank The Man"
Executive Creative Directors: Wade Devers, Pete Johnson
Group Creative Director: Erik Enberg
Creative Director: Greg Almeida
Art Director: Daran Brossard
Copywriter: Greg Almeida
Producers: William Near, Benjamin Ouellette
Assistant Producers: Alex Saevitz
Business Affairs: Maria Rougvie
Marketing Producers: Paul Nelson, Emily Brooks, Shannon Coletti, Nicolle Fagan
Production Company, Visual Effects: Elastic Pictures
Executive Producer:  Jennifer Sofio
Line Producer: Rick Brown
Director: Jake Banks
Cinematographer: Eric Treml
Editorial Company: Rock Paper Scissors
Editor: Parker Whipple
Music Company: Pivot Audio
Music Composers: Jan Kos, Guy Amitai
Postproduction Producer: Scott Boyajan
Music: Pivot Audio