Unique Whiskey Gifts for Every Dad
Jay West, Whiskey Raiders Contributor
Spirits are a natural thought when gifting comes to mind. Often catering to the enthusiast cache or the indulgent joys of someone close to you, there are few better avenues to let someone know their value to you beyond a thoughtfully selected bottle of whiskey. This year, here are the standout whiskeys that can’t be overlooked for Father’s Day.
THE SEXTON SINGLE MALT X THE WALKING DEAD LIMITED EDITION
It’s no secret that celebrities, tastemakers and persons of interest are buying and repping spirits brands these days, but few have interesting cinematic tie-ins. The Sexton is one of the best-selling Irish Single Malts in America, and their new Limited Edition features a rebrand with The Walking Dead.
For fans of cinema or just the iconic show in general, The Sexton makes for an approachable single malt that can be enjoyed any which way with ease. Sexton’s already been known for their unique and distinctive packaging, and their new TV tie-in is no less exemplary.
The Sexton Single Malt x The Walking Dead LIMITED EDITION
Starting at $36.99
CLYDE MAY’S ALABAMA STYLE AND STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
Clyde May’s typically sneaks under the radar among bourbon drinkers, but if cocktails are your game, this bottling features a unique twist. Produced as an ‘Alabama’ style whiskey, Clyde May’s takes straight bourbon and subtly infuses apple to add a touch of sweetness and flavor that works great with those spirit-forward cocktails.
If you’re buying for an Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour lover, look no farther than this affordable twist that many routine buyers simply overlook. When Dad’s ready to up the proof, Clyde May’s also offers straight bourbon expressions that are barrel proof for some extra kick.
THE MACALLAN SHERRY OAK 12 YEARS OLD
Rumored to be on its last legs, Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old expression is a stronghold of the brand and one of the most iconic Scotch whiskeys of all time. If heavy peat and smoke aren’t ideal for gifting this June, this whisky is a perfect about-face to those pungent notes, instead delivering sweet malt, jammy sherry, and a long tobacco finish.
Few brands have recognition like Macallan, featured in films, popular culture and decades of iconic advertising. With the brand’s recent redesign and price hikes on the way, there’s never been a better time to buy Macallan.
HEAVEN’S DOOR CASK STRENGTH STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
The celebrity brand that isn’t. Heaven’s Door was founded by Bob Dylan and a team of spirits experts with the sole goal of upsetting the spirits industry and providing a variety of whiskeys with purpose.
This Cask Strength exclusive bottling is only available at ReserveBar. As a single barrel selection, the ReserveBar team picked this barrel from the Heaven’s Door warehouse of whiskey and bottled it in its entirety. This means there are only 180 or so bottles to go around, making it the perfect gift as an exclusive slice of a single barrel of whiskey.
Heaven's Door Cask Strength Boardwalk Bourbon “Lost Barrel” S0B2
BARRELL BOURBON BATCH 32 AND TOPFLIGHT SERIES
Few brands rose to fame quicker than Barrell Bourbon, produced by Barrell Craft Spirits. Batch 32 features 5, 6, 7 and 10 year old barrels of bourbon that are blended and bottled at cask strength. Garnering an impressive 95 score on Whiskey Raiders, Barrell Bourbon is hard to beat and hard to find, but available in limited quantities for well under $100. It’s hard to stack up stats like that, especially since batches from Barrell tend to dry up fairly quickly. With a rich texture, notes of praline, apple pie and cherry cordial with a long oaky finish, it’s hard to beat.
With the launch of ReserveBar’s Topflight Series, you can also pick up a limited-edition Single or Private Release Barrel. One of the more unique offerings is this Jamaican Rum Finish release: notes of banana, tropical fruit, and marshmallow from the rum lead into the oak and dark chocolate notes from the whiskey. This is a highly recommended pick from the Topflight panel that is truly special.
Barrell Private Release Whiskey Jamaican Rum Finish S1B6
Starting at $101.99
OLD FORESTER 1920
Released as part of Old Forester’s Whiskey Rowseries, Old Forester 1920 has been one of the most consistently high-scoring whiskey releases to date for the brand. Consistent, packed with classic bourbon flavor and bottled at high proof, this sipper is perfect for dads who have been whiskey fans for years or prefer a bourbon forward cocktail.
1920 is also the perfect gateway whiskey for fans of bottlings like Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, or even Blanton’s to step up and embrace a bolder, richer flavor profile. As one of the best values in bourbon, Old Forester 1920 stands tall on any bar, no matter your application.
FOUR ROSES SINGLE BARREL
We’d be remiss to speak about heritage American Whiskey without discussing Four Roses, one of the most iconic brands in the space. Using more rye than other producers in their mashbills, Four Roses expertly releases both blends and single barrels of the highest quality.
Four Roses Single Barrel leverages the brand’s OBSV recipe (they have 10 in-house bourbon recipes) and delivers a punch of flavor at 50% ABV that also makes the perfect julep or Whiskey Ginger. A favorite of mine no matter the season, it mixes well during the heat of summer and drinks satisfyingly during the cold of winter. The bottle is a work of art by itself and the perfect whiskey to gift.
JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL ENGRAVED WITH “HAPPY FATHER’S DAY”
Johnnie Walker has long been the unofficial, yet undisputed, king of whisky gifted for business, holidays and gift-giving in general. This year, if your recipient has been extra good, seen impressive success in business, or perhaps recently won the lottery, few bottles impress like Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label®, all ready to gift with an engraved “Happy Father’s Day” message.
At one of the most desired selections among whisky lovers it sits among the world’s most prolific bottles and is sure to make a statement. For more affordable Johnnie Walker bottlings, consider picking out Johnnie Walker Green Label — the perfect blend of age, flavor and availability for this Father’s day. Between the wide portfolio of Johnnie Walker bottlings — Red, Black, Green and Blue — the Green Label offering carries a 15 year age statement and a pricetag with value in mind, making it the perfect Walker for gifting.
No matter your budget or the taste of the recipient Dad this June, there’s a whiskey for everyone that is sure to be a hit. From pungent scotch, to best bang for buck or high proof bourbon, it’s easy to find the perfect whiskey as the thermometer rises and Father’s Day barbecues are planned and celebration comes to front of mind.
Want more recommendations? Find our curated list of dad-worthy selections, including our Scotch Lovers Collection, Bourbon Lovers Collection, and Westward Single Barrel 2 Bottle Bundle, in our 2023 Father’s Day Gift Guide.
