Your dad has sufficient ties, novelty T-shirts, espresso mugs, and socks. Improve your gifting recreation and get him one thing that can substitute a pressured smile with a large grin: a beautiful bottle. Whether or not he’s a seasoned sipper or a whisky neophyte, we’ve chosen 12 standout spirits starting from particular scotch single malts to cult-favorite bourbons to accessible, underrated ryes—and some distinctive whisky-adjacent choices—all assured to earn you favorite-child standing. Right here’s hoping no matter you purchase him, Dad will crack the bottle and pour a glass for you, too.
93 factors – Yamazaki 12 12 months outdated Japanese single malt, 43%, $150
A mainstay among the many greatest Japanese whiskies for good cause. This single malt whisky matures in three kinds of barrels: bourbon, oloroso sherry, and mizunara oak. The ensuing liquid is floral, gentle, complicated, and balanced. It’s pleasing, sip after sip.
92 factors – Bowmore 15 12 months outdated scotch single malt, 43%, $76
If dad prefers peat, go for Bowmore’s 15 12 months. This Islay single malt packs the precise stability of smoke and sweetness, with notes of raisins, sherry, and dates mingling alongside sticky toffee and allspice.
92 factors – Excessive West Bourye, 46%, $125
Excessive West has lengthy been a grasp of the mix, and Bourye is Exhibit A. This annual restricted launch combines 10 to 14 12 months outdated straight bourbons and ryes (sourced from MGP, blended at Excessive West Distillery in Utah) into one thing higher than the sum of its well-aged components. It’s complicated, superbly balanced, and dangerously straightforward to revisit—time and again.
91 factors – Blade and Bow bourbon, 45.5%, $48
This Kentucky straight bourbon is the uncommon reward that’s straightforward to seek out, straightforward to love, and gained’t require a second mortgage. Made utilizing the solera technique—that means there’s allegedly a whisper of pre-1992 Stitzel-Weller juice nonetheless within the combine, per model proprietor Diageo—the ultimate mix is mushy, balanced, and approachable.
91 factors – Johnnie Walker 18 12 months outdated blended scotch, 40%, $65
This 18 12 months mix pulls from 18 completely different Scottish distilleries—together with Cardhu, Blair Athol, and Glen Elgin—and the ultimate product is exceptionally creamy, easy, and engaging, significantly given its affordability. Good for the dad who likes a touch of peat, however not an amazing quantity of smoke within the glass.
90 factors – George Dickel rye, 45%, $20
This 95/5 rye might put on a Tennessee label, however it’s born in Indiana (MGP) earlier than heading south for chill filtering at Cascade Hole. That of completion provides it a inexperienced, natural edge and a minty streak that lingers by way of the sip. It’s a strong solo pour, however actually shines when it underpins a Manhattan or Vieux Carré.
89 factors – Bardstown Bourbon Firm Origin Sequence Excessive Wheat bourbon, 53%, $50
This 6 12 months outdated expression options 39% wheat within the mashbill. It drinks extremely straightforward, with pops of crème brûlée and citrus on the palate. Provided that it’s a wheated mashbill, you may give it to Pops and inform him it’s Pappy Van Winkle’s brother from one other mom.
88 factors – Paul John Brilliance Indian single malt, 46%, $80
Indian single malts have come a good distance and this expression is proof. Hailing from the Sazerac-owned distillery in Goa, India, this unpeated single malt leans into its tropical upbringing, buying and selling conventional smoke for sun-drenched flavors of grapefruit, pear, and cinnamon-kissed apples. It’s brilliant, daring, and something however anticipated.
Widow Jane 20 12 months outdated Black Opal blended bourbon, 49.5%, $500
Need to splurge? Widow Jane’s newest restricted version 20 12 months outdated Black Opal is a superb alternative. After twenty years of maturation, together with ending in mizunara oak, this mix of Kentucky and Tennessee straight bourbons is daring, decadent, and has an in depth end befitting such an expensive pour. Bonus: the presentation field itself is a murals.
L’Encantada L’Esprit armagnac, ABVs and SRPs Range
If dad likes armagnac, a bottle of L’Encantada will make his 12 months. Costs and proofs fluctuate by vintages, although there’s one thing accessible at most worth factors. The extensively accessible XO Cigar Mix ($123) has an excellent good physique and texture and pairs nicely with cigars, whereas the Tattoo Sequence 3 ($169) boasts an attractive label and liquid—the brandy’s been completed in Weller barrels.
El Tesoro Single Barrel añejo Mundial tequila, ABVs and SRPs fluctuate
For the daddy who likes tequila, El Tesoro’s grasp distiller Carlos Camarena’s core expressions are scrumptious on their very own. Nevertheless, Camarena’s kicked it up a notch with a sequence of single barrel choices as a part of the Mundial Assortment, the place añejo tequila is completed in quite a lot of whisky barrels. There’ve been two Laphroaig choices, a Knob Creek variant, and a Basil Hayden Toast version.
Appleton Property 12 12 months outdated Uncommon Casks rum, 43%, $40
Extremely-aging rum doesn’t typically make the rum higher; it usually makes the cask affect extra pronounced. Many discover 12 years outdated to be a rum’s candy spot, and that’s very true of Jamaica’s Appleton Property. It’s the right accompaniment to a cigar, in case your father’s so inclined It’s additionally nice simply to sip, with a pleasant stability of funky, tropical fruit notes, and wealthy oak flavors.
