Father’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to show how much you love dear old dad than with an incredible bottle of whisk(e)y, rum, tequila, brandy, wine, or whatever your father prefers. Best of all, if you happen to be there when he opens it (or live nearby), you’ll probably get an opportunity to taste it.
So with both you and dad in mind, we put together this list of some of our favorite spirits that we think you should consider gifting for Father’s Day. Included in our Father’s Day Gift Guide are whiskies from Kentucky, Scotland, and Japan as well as Rums from St Lucia and Panama, and much more. Just make sure dad saves you a dram or two.
Whisk(e)y
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye ($50)
Crafted in one of the few distilleries to remain dedicated to the art of rye whiskey, Rare Breed Rye is a blend of non-chill filtered rye. It is barrel-proof, meaning that it’s uncut, bottled directly from the barrels at the proof it is reached in those barrels. The whiskeys used in the blend are aged between six and 12 years, and it is sister to award-winning Rare Breed bourbon and the first permanent super-premium rye in the Wild Turkey family.
Nikka Days ($55)
Last summer, Nikka Whisky Distilling unveiled Nikka Days, a new offering made for “everyday drinking occasions.” The whisky immediately became one of the most drinkable on the market, perfect for everything from cocktails to sipping straight or on the rocks. As Emiko Kaji, Nikka Whisky International Business Development Manager, says, it’s a “whisky for every day.” A subtle blend of non-peated and light peated malt whiskies, as well as Coffey grain whisky, the formula for Nikka Days consists of roughly 100 different batches and the recipe is constantly updated. Refilled, remade and re-charred casks, which are originally made from American oak, are mainly used, along with ex-sherry, ex-bourbon, and new American oak.
Loch Lomond Whiskies Open Special Edition 2021 ($57)
Created in partnership with European Tour legend and Loch Lomond Whiskies’ ambassador, Colin Montgomerie, The Open Special Edition 2021 uses a combination of spirits from both Loch Lomond Whiskies’ unique straight neck and traditional pot stills, delivering a fruity single malt. As with all Loch Lomond Single Malts, the underlying fruity character of the distillery shines with a gentle hint of smoke on the finish. The spirit has been matured in three types of American oak casks. Master Blender Michael Henry then marries the casks together before a final finish in Virgin American oak.
Glendronach Port Wood ($90)
Not much has changed at GlenDronach since opening in 1826. The heralded Highland distillery still does things in a similar way to how it did them almost 200 years ago, which means they deliver a traditional, classic single malt Scotch. One of the newest additions to the GlenDronach lineup is the Port Wood, which brings a Port-finished whisky to the distillery’s core range. Frankly, the GlenDronach Port Wood is one of our favorite whiskies released in the last few years. It’s rich, fruit forward, and, like everything else guided by the sure hands of Master Distiller Rachel Barrie, exquisite.
Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Guinness Cask Finish ($120)
An 11 Year Old Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky finished for four months in barrels that previously held Guinness Beer at the Open Gate Brewery in Maryland, Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Guinness Cask Finish offers a glorious adventure in ‘sweet peat’ by combining the intense peat and charred wood notes of Lagavulin with the roasted coffee, dark chocolate and sweet caramel notes from the Guinness casks. Received the ultimate seal of approval – a firm nod and handshake from Ric Offerman himself – and a Double Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1 ($120)
Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1 is a limited-edition bottling made from six of dad’s favorite distilleries from across the United States: Balcones in TX, Copperworks in WA, Santa Fe Spirits in NM, Triple Eight in MA, Westward in OR, and Virginia Distillery Co in VA. The result is a whisky with notes of chocolate-covered orange peel and fire-roasted fruits on the nose. The palate is complex and balanced, with rich baking spice, salted pretzel and hints of roasted barley surrounded by a savory smokiness. The long, warm finish has notes of milk chocolate and sea salt. Only 3000 bottles were produced.
The Macallan Rare Cask ($300)
Crafted to showcase complexity and depth, The Macallan Rare Cask is drawn from the broadest spectrum of casks used in maturation on The Macallan Estate. Hand-picked by the Speyside brand’s whisky making team, the combination of sherry seasoned American and European oak casks – a high proportion of them first fill – deliver an unmistakably woody whisky with a rich hue. With rarity at its core, this is a whisky that will slightly differ in makeup from bottling to bottling; with some casks so rare they will never be used again in any other Macallan. Far less than 1% of casks maturing at the distillery have been identified as fitting to bestow the Rare Cask name. Taking inspiration from The Macallan’s iconic triangle and designed to celebrate its natural color, Rare Cask is presented in a sculpted, heavy glass decanter.
Brandy
Germain-Robin XO ($125)
Germain-Robin XO is an icon of California Brandy. Distilled exclusively in Pruhlo Charentais Pot Stills and aged in Limousin Oak Barrels, XO highlights the unique flavor and characteristics of California Pinot Noir grapes. The Pinot Noir grape provides a dark cherry character and a rich silky mouthfeel. Colombard distillate adds a fresh apple character, while Sémillon delivers richness with peach and apricot notes. The vanilla and toast flavors from the French oak complement the fruit which creates layers of complexity that only can be found from sourcing great fruit. The fermentation and distillation is driven with the goal of emphasizing fruit and mouthfeel and then paired with aging in select Limousin Oak Barrels.
Camus Return To Saint-Aulaye Cognac ($137)
Simply, Return to Saint-Aulaye is a 2016 vintage Cognac made from Colombard grapes. In more interesting terms, it is the first Cognac to come out of the very last vineyards of Dordogne. It is a single-cru, single-varietal expression from an area known to many as Perigord, recognized for its gastronomic heritage, but lesser known as being part of the Cognac appellation. The offering is the result of a collaboration between Camus and the Saint-Aulaye village council in France. The decades-long effort looks to rediscover and protect the region’s unique terroir, where Cognac production dates back to 1785.
Frapin Cellar Master Edition No° 1 Cognac ($260)
After dedicating decades to maintaining and perfecting the “Frapin style,” Cellar Master Patrice Piveteau finally unveiled an offering with his own influence, the Frapin Cellar Master Edition No° 1 Cognac. With his first Cellar Master Edition, Piveteau wanted to “explore a new aromatic palette.” Therefore, he chose to release a cask strength variety, something rarely seen in the Cognac world. The result is more than just a taste or an aroma, it’s an experience. As Patrice explains, it’s like “sipping straight from the barrel with a straw.”
Tequila
Partida Anejo Cristalino ($60)
Tequila Partida Añejo Cristalino uses only Tequila Partida Añejo as a base to make the Cristalino. The aging process starts when the Tequila Partida Blanco is produced in the second distillation at 55% Alc. Vol. and is introduced into ex-bourbon white American oak medium toast 200 liter barrels for a minimum period of 18 months (the minimum time by law is 12 months in containers up to 600 liters with new or used barrels made out of Oak or Encino). The Añejo offers a perfect balance between agave and oak (aging) aromas and flavors.
Patrón Estate Release ($108)
This limited-edition silver tequila was made from Weber Blue Agave cultivated on the grounds of the Hacienda Patrón distillery in Atotonilco el Alto, Mexico. This special terroir gives the spirit a robust and complex flavor featuring unique herbal and citrus notes. On the nose, the tequila delivers intense cooked agave, lemon tea, and fruit. The palate is smooth and sweet with flavors of cooked agave, citrus, and herbal notes. The palate features flowers and black pepper.
Komos Tequila Anejo Cristalino ($120)
Tequila Komos Anejo Cristalino has been aged in white wine barrels and comes from Master Sommelier Richard Betts, who previously founded wine labels Betts & Scholl and Scarpetta as well as Sombra Mezcal. It offers notes of agave along with hints of vanilla and spice from the French oak. “The balance is exquisite and Komos is at once rich, full and luxurious, yet light on its feet and a joy to drink,” says Betts.
Mezcal
Zignum Reposado Mezcal ($35)
Zignum is one of the leading Mezcals in Mexico and Mexican duty free and is the most awarded Mezcal in the world. Aged for 8 months after distillation in medium charred American white oak barrels, Zignum Reposado features a surprisingly delicate body with notes of raisins, banana, and vanilla. It is best enjoyed with a slice of orange sprinkled with sal de gusano, and is also great in cocktails.
The Lost Explorer Salmiana Mezcal ($180)
The Lost Explorer Mezcal is the brand at the top of every agave spirits lover’s current to-taste list. Officially launched back in December, it has already racked up awards across the globe and made moves to the top of bar lists and e-commerce platforms in some of the drink world’s most competitive markets. Made from 100% agave, each small batch of mezcal is handcrafted with a sustainable approach that is deeply in tune with the rhythm of nature. The Salmiana Agave grows for 12 years before harvesting begins. The most herbaceous expression of all, offering a sweet and spicy profile with hints of green chili, grapefruit, and fresh agave. The award-winning Lost Explorer Mezcal Salmiana comes in beautiful hand-labeled bottles made from recycled crystal, sealed with a kiss of biodegradable natural beeswax.
Los Magos Sotol ($60)
Neither Mezcal or Tequila, Sotol is made from a plant in the same family as asparagus. Known as the hidden gem of the Chihuahuan desert, Sotol has been enjoyed for centuries and is the state spirit of Chihuahua, Durango. and Coahuila. However, it has never been truly and properly brought to the masses, until now. Los Magos Founders Eduardo Almanza and Juan Pablo Carvajal set out to disrupt the spirits industry with an experience that is good for the soul, land, and the community.
Rum
Chairman’s Reserve Legacy ($43)
Chairman’s Legacy showcases the art of blending rums from both the St Lucia distillery’s John Dore and Vendome pot stills, and the Coffey still. In addition to traditional molasses-based rums, the blend is balanced by sugarcane juice rum and fermented using wild yeasts distilled in the John Dore pot still. Tropically aged separately by batch and still type in ex-bourbon barrels, Chairman’s Legacy features rums aged between five and six years. Mahogany amber hue in the glass with an intense yellow rim, the rum offers pineapple, banana, vanilla and butterscotch on the nose. On the palate, there is a rich, crème brûlée, sultana fruit, vanilla and a warm ginger mouthfeel. The final product is the embodiment of the philosophies of distillery’s founder, Laurie Barnard.
Ron Abuelo Centuria ($168)
Ron Abuelo Centuria was produced in honor of Varela Hermanos’ 100-year anniversary, the national producers of 90% of the liquors that Panama consumes. This limited-edition bottling draws from between 12- and 42-year-old family reserves that are aged in American whiskey barrels using a solera system; the average age of the rums used in a bottle of Centuria is 30. It is dark copper in color and presents beautiful aromas of sweet citrus, prunes, nuts and cocoa. The palate is balanced, round, and full of ripe fruit that culminates in a mature wood finish.
Wine
2017 Lassègue Saint-Émilion Grand Cru ($60)
Father and son vignerons—Pierre and Nicolas Seillan produce this selection at Château Lassègue where ornate sundials adorn the façade of the 18th century château. This symbol of perfect sun exposure represents the message of the wines from the estate and can be found on the label. Lassègue is the flagship wine of the estate and is Saint-Émilion at its most opulent. Old vines grow on the south/southwest hills which are the prolongation of the Côte de Saint-Émilion, and whose soils of clay and limestone add exquisite minerality to their fruit. Rich, aromatic Cabernet Franc married to the dense concentration of old vine Merlot and seasoned with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon results in a wine that is at once powerful and elegant.
Sonoma-Cutrer Winemaker’s Release 40th Anniversary Chardonnay ($70)
To create Sonoma-Cutrer Winemaker’s Release 40th Anniversary Chardonnay, Directors’ of Winemaking Bill Bonetti (1981-1990), Terry Adams (1991-2010), and Mick Schroeter (2010-Present) worked with Chardonnay Winemaker Cara Morrison (2005-Present) to blend a Chardonnay that pays tribute to the winery’s mastery of the variety. It presents aromas of ripe pear, citrus zest, and baked apple, with light mineral notes and a touch of matchstick for complexity. Layers of spice, caramel, nougat, and pie crust are integrated throughout. Melon and Bosc pear along with lemon meringue flavors mingle with hints of nutmeg, clove, toasted nuts, and oak.
Luce 2018 ($97)
Tenuta Luce was a collaboration between the Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi families that successfully created the first wine from Montalcino ever to be made blending Sangiovese and Merlot grapes. Luce 2018 has a dark ruby red color. The nose is a prelude of aromas of black fruits, blackberries and violets, with marzipan and black pepper that further enrich the bouquet. In the mouth, the wine is soft and voluminous, balanced by a solid tannic structure, before closing with a persistent crisp finish.