A Dozen Whiskeys For Father’s Day

By Richard Thomas

If you are as lucky as I am, you get two Father’s Days. Because my child lives abroad, he marks the occasion on their calendar; I mark it on the American holiday. That way, I get to celebrate it twice, and the second round is coming up, because in the United States, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19. Anyone on The Whiskey Reviewer and looking at a Father’s Day article is obviously looking for whiskey gift ideas, either for their Dad or as a Dad’s gift to themselves.

Here are some ideas covering a range of categories and price points:

Bargains

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt ($47): You might love your Papa, but that doesn’t mean you know a lot about his taste in whisky. The single most polarizing thing about Scotch is peat smoke; some people adore it, but some hate it. The thing there is peat fans usually like unpeated Scotch as well, so the safest bet is to go with a reasonably priced, easy-going single malt like Aberfeldy.

Heaven Hill 7 Year Old Bottled in Bond Bourbon ($40): Although your Father might be pleased just to get a free bottle of a staple bourbon like Elijah Craig, why not take things up a notch for just a few dollars more and make it a little interesting? Heaven Hill 7 Year Old Bottled in Bond accomplishes that step perfectly.

Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey ($35): This is the brand new entry on the list, having come out just this season, Spring 2022. The Lynchburg distillery had tested the waters previously with a travel retail release of a bonded spin on Old No. 7. Now they have put that into regular release as part of a larger series of bonded Tennessee Whiskeys.

Michter’s US*1 Rye ($45): A feature that separates the entry-level Michter’s rye from most other entries in that class is that it is a single barrel, making it a good choice for this purpose and this price point.

Mid-Range

Barrell Bourbon Batch 32 ($90): Barrell Craft Spirits became a fan favorite on a foundation of sourcing transparency and producing some pretty good cask strength whiskeys. Batch 32 is their latest. The stock for this one ranges from 5 to 10 years, drawn from distillers in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana.

Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Whiskey ($70): A big part of the revival of the Irish Whiskey industry has been written in the story of the comeback of the country’s signature style: pot still whiskey. Made from a wort of (primarily, often solely) malted and unmalted barley, the style is noted for its richness and spiciness. Redbreast was the standard bearer of that comeback, and the 15 Year Old is the mid-ranking expression in the line.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye ($70): Back in the days of rye whiskey’s nadir, before MGP had even invented their 95% rye formulation, the only two sources rye fans had were Kentucky and Canada. Among the Kentucky ryes, Wild Turkey was always the stand-out. Keeping that in mind, the appeal of the premium, single barrel expression from Wild Turkey should be clear.

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Single Malt ($90): Above I brushed on that group of Scotch fans who are devoted to peat smoke. There is another group, just as ardent, and they love a deep infusion of flavors from a Sherry cask. I think a good way to offer a twist to any Scotch fan, but especially a lover of these Sherry bombs, is to give them one of the best American Malt Sherry bombs around. Stranahan’s heads my short list of options for that role.

Splurge!

Balvenie The Port Wood 21 Year Old Single Malt ($250): Building on the point made earlier about the love it or hate it place peated whisky has, nobody wants to drop a few hundred dollars on a bottle only to find it turns Dad off. Instead, get the classy and classic The Balvenie The Port Wood 21 Year Old. Only a fool and a snob will be disappointed with it.

Old Fitzgerald 17 Year Old Bottled in Bond Spring 2022 ($185): It just so happens that this most recent and very upscale take on Heaven Hill’s Bernheim-made wheated bourbon is ultra-aged, at 17 years old. Given that more than a few croakers are still complaining about how this super premium expression replaced the classic, affordable but utterly normal predecessor Old Fitz Bonded, you might very well be able to snag one of these before the bulk of enthusiasts realize just what it is. Imagine the look on Dad’s face to discover he’s been given a collectible for Father’s Day!

The Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Single Malt ($225): When it comes to unicorns, Japanese Whiskies still top the list. Supply is still limited, demand is still sky high. If you Papa is into Japanese Whisky, giving him a bottle of this Suntory classic is a real prize. Watch out though: some retailers are asking $400 and up for this item.

Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye ($360): Hands down, this is my favorite whiskey in its class, and that is a class that includes W.L. Weller 12 Year Old, the famous “Baby Pappy.” If you have the cash, get it. Dad won’t be disappointed.