What's the perfect Father's Day gift? It's a conundrum many shoppers face every Father's Day. But if your dad is a whiskey connoisseur, the answer should be a no-brainer. Whiskey, of course! Whether your old man enjoys bourbon, scotch, or rye, there are numerous whiskey-related gifts to choose from.
But with so many whiskey options available, how can you pick a suitable one and avoid a bottom-of-the-barrel gift? To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a list of the top 12 Father's Day gifts for whiskey lovers that are sure to impress. We've also included serving suggestions for some of our top picks that you can whip up quickly to make his day extra special.
Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old Bourbon
When it comes to bourbons, few brands come close to Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year. This highly sought-after and rare whiskey is aged for an impressive 23 years, resulting in a smooth, complex flavor profile that's simply unparalleled. If your dad appreciates the finer things in life, it's a gift that's sure to impress him.
Serving suggestion: Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year has a distinct spicy and oaky taste, so it's best enjoyed undiluted or with a dash of water to release its flavors.
W.L. Weller Bourbon 12 Year
W.L. Weller 12 Year is another popular bourbon among whiskey enthusiasts. It has a smooth taste with caramel, vanilla, and oak notes. It also has some fruit that gives it a subtle sweet taste. It's the perfect gift for the dad who enjoys sipping a fine bourbon after a long day.
Serving suggestion: W.L. Weller is a smooth and well-balanced bourbon best enjoyed neat or with some water to open up its flavors. Its fruit notes also make it an excellent accompaniment to fruity desserts like apple crumb pie.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon
Another popular among bourbon connoisseurs is Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon. It's a well-balanced bourbon with notes of caramel and butterscotch. It also has traces of pepper and tobacco, giving it a slightly spicy aftertaste. While its flavors aren't as complex as other bourbons on this list, it's a great gift for any dad who appreciates a classic bourbon with a bit of a kick.
Serving suggestion: Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon doesn't have an overly deep flavor profile, so it's best served neat. It also pairs well with rich, savory dishes like grilled meats or cheese.
Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon
Looking for a pocket-friendly but excellent bourbon choice for Father's Day? Then you might want to consider Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon. Aged for ten years, it's a tasty whiskey with hints of honey, oak and herbs. Like Colonel E.H. Taylor, it doesn't have a deep taste, but it's a tasty bourbon sure to please even the most discerning palates.
Serving suggestion: Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon is a versatile bourbon that can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. It also pairs well with whiskey mixers like club soda, ginger ale, or orange juice.
Hibiki Harmony 2021 Limited Edition
Hibiki Harmony 2021 Limited Edition is a perfect choice for Japanese whiskey connoisseurs. Not only is it an exquisite-tasting whiskey that melds sweet and spicy notes with an oaky aroma, but it also comes in a stunning bottle that's sure to dazzle your old man. If you can get your hands on a bottle, it's a Father's Day gift sure to impress any dad who's a collector.
Serving suggestion: Hibiki Harmony 2021 Limited Edition is a delicate whiskey best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, and it pairs well with Japanese foods like sushi and sashimi. For extra flavor, consider serving it hot, garnished with lemon or orange peels.
Jameson 18 Year Irish Whiskey
For the dad who prefers Irish whiskey, Jameson 18 Year Irish Whiskey is the perfect gift. It's a timeless whiskey aged for almost two decades in oak casks, resulting in a smooth flavor with notes of vanilla, spice, and toffee. The result is a lingering aftertaste that leaves a warm and spicy aftertaste on the palate.
Serving suggestion: Jameson 18 Years is best enjoyed neat or in a classic cocktail like a whiskey sour. It also goes well with sweet and savory dishes like grilled meat or chocolate desserts.
Crown Royal 18 Year Old Extra Rare
Want to give your dad a one-of-a-kind gift? Then give him a bottle of Crown Royal 18 Year Old Extra Rare. Besides coming in a unique, gorgeous bottle, it's also a luscious whiskey with hints of vanilla and stone. If your dad is a fan of Canadian whiskey, it's a bottle he's certain to enjoy.
Serving suggestion: Crown Royal 18 Year Old Extra Rare is a full-bodied whiskey that's best served neat or on the rocks to release its complex flavors, and it goes down well with savory dishes like grilled meats or strong cheeses.
Sazerac Rye 18 Year 2022 Release
For dads who are rye whiskey aficionados, Sazerac Rye 18 Year 2022 is a top pick. It's a limited edition whiskey that's highly sought after, making it a great gift for the special dad. With a depth of character that can only come from almost two decades of aging in an oak barrel, it's packed with notes of caramel, vanilla and spice that give it a vibrant taste.
Serving suggestion: Sazerac Rye 18 Year 2022 is best served neat or on the rocks to experience its rich flavor. It's also great in cocktails and pairs well with various dishes, such as barbecue or hearty stews.
Blanton 'Black Label' Single Barrel Straight Bourbon
Sticker shock shouldn't prevent you from getting a good bourbon for Father's Day. If you're searching for a bourbon that's relatively pocket-friendly without compromising on quality, look no further than Blanton's Single Barrel Straight Bourbon. It's a hard-to-come-by bourbon with hints of vanilla, caramel and dark sugar that will impress any whiskey-loving dad.
Serving suggestion: This bourbon is best served neat or on the rocks to experience the nuances of its rich flavor profile. It's also excellent for classic bourbon cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Boulevardier or Manhattan.
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
When it comes to scotch whiskey, few bottles compare to the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva Single Malt Scotch Whiskey. It's a premium scotch that's aged for just over two decades in American casks and then given a final marrying period in Caribbean rum casks to give it a distinct and complex flavor profile. If you're looking for a top-notch whiskey for a dad who's a scotch enthusiast, you can't go wrong with this bottle.
Serving suggestion: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva Single Malt Scotch Whiskey is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks to experience its luscious flavor. It's also great for classic scotch cocktails like the Rob Roy, Rusty Nail, and Penicillin.
Buffalo Trace Starter Pack Case
You could get rye whiskey or bourbon for Father's Day. But if your dad is an ardent whiskey lover, you know what he would appreciate even more? Getting both! For dads who appreciate a variety of whiskeys, the Buffalo Trace Starter Pack Case is the perfect gift. It contains four bottles of Buffalo Trace bourbon, four bottles of Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream, and 4 Bottles of Sazerac Rye.
Gift Cards
If you're unsure whether your dad loves rye, scotch, bourbon, Canadian, Irish, or Japanese whiskey, you could just ask him what he likes and get his preferred whisky, right? Sure, you could, but that would give him a hint of what you're planning to get and ruin the surprise. Instead of getting a gift your dad won't appreciate or one he's expecting, consider giving him a gift card to get the whiskey of his choice.
We deliver gift cards via mail with concise instructions on how to redeem them at checkout, and they have no extra processing fees.
Final Word
Whether your dad enjoys bourbon, scotch, rye or another whiskey variant, there's certainly something on this list for every whiskey lover, even the ones with the most fussy preferences.
And no matter the whiskey you choose, remember that the best way to enjoy it is in moderation and with good company. Raise a glass to your dad and toast to a happy Father's Day!
FAQs
What's the Difference Between Whiskey and Bourbon?
Bourbon is a special whiskey variant primarily made from corn, while most other variants are made from fermented grains like barley, wheat, or rye. Corn gives bourbon its unique sweet flavor.
What Are the Top Ways to Drink Whiskey?
The most popular ways to enjoy a glass of whiskey are neat, with a dash of cold water, on the rocks or chilled with whiskey stones. Whiskey also pairs well with various cocktails.
What Is Best to Mix With Whiskey?
Most whiskey varieties go well with various mixers, such as ginger ale, soda water, Coca-Cola, and citrus juices. Besides mixers, they also go well with savory dishes like grilled meats and sweet desserts like chocolate mousse.
What's the Best Whiskey for a Manhattan?
Bourbon is the best and most popular whiskey variety used in Manhattan cocktails. While rye was the preferred choice for many years, many bars and restaurants nowadays use bourbon. However, you can use other whiskey types if they complement vermouth.
Can You Engrave a Whiskey Bottle?
Yes, some liquor stores can allow you to engrave your whiskey bottle. At Nestor Liquor, we offer custom engraving for various whiskey bottles to make them intimate gifts. Just add your whiskey bottle to cart, select custom engraving, enter your message, and you'll receive a bottle with your personalized message.