Our top 20 alcoholic drinks for Father’s Day is the ultimate gift guide.
Dads can be extraordinarily difficult to buy for, largely because they insist they don’t need anything. But we’ve got you covered. A swanky bottle is more personal than another branded mug and considerably more useful than novelty socks.
Whisky is particularly good for gifting because the choices are almost endless. You can match a bottle to his favourite region, distillery, flavour or style, or introduce him to something entirely new. If you don’t know what he likes, a tasting set absolves a lot of sins.
There is plenty beyond whisky, too. Our selection of Father’s Day alcohol gifts includes rum, Cognac, Armagnac, Tequila, mezcal, gin, liqueurs, tasting sets and more.
Top 20 Alcoholic Drinks For Father’s Day
1. The Father’s Day Whisky Tasting Set
Our very own Father’s Day Whisky Tasting Set is very much a home-run when it comes to great Father’s Day gifts. It says Father’s Day on it, for a start. It really looks like you made an effort when you buy something like this. Especially as we guarantee there are five 30ml drams of superb whisky from world-class producers in this exclusive set. Plus, right now it’s over 25% off.
2. Rumbullion!
If rich, full-bodied rums are what you’re looking for this Father’s Day, then look no further than the proudly maritime Rumbullion! This spiced rum was created using a blend of high proof Caribbean rum, creamy Madagascan vanilla, zesty orange peel, a handful of cassia and cloves and just a hint of cardamom.
What does it taste like?:
Intense, sweet vanilla, flamed orange zest, cardamom, old-fashioned cola, Manuka honey, molasses, candy floss, toffee apples, crème brûlée and a fabulous mix of thick cut bitter orange marmalade and tingling, zinging spices from cloves and cinnamon.
3. Fortaleza Reposado
A family occasion should be celebrated with a good bottle of booze created using generations of knowledge passed down through a rich family history. That’s exactly what Guillermo Sauza had on his side when he launched Fortaleza in 2005, bringing back the traditions of previous generations at the family distillery to make expressions like this delicious reposado, aged for eight months in American oak.
What does it taste like?:
Citrus, popcorn, earthy caramel, wood spice, rich agave, orchard fruit, complex herbal notes. Really top stuff.
4. Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
Warming, spicy and utterly delicious, this well-rounded single malt from The Balvenie was initially aged in traditional oak casks before it was finished in casks which previously held a select blend of Caribbean rums chosen by malt master David C. Stewart MBE. Perfect for those who love a good Scotch and for those who want something with a touch of the tropical to mark all this good weather we’re having.
What does it taste like?
Tropical fruits, namely passion fruit, sweet vanilla, apples, mangoes, orange and creamy toffee.
5. Jaffa Cake Gin
What if your father isn’t fussed with whisky? For those who have something of a sweet tooth, we recommend Jaffa Cake Gin. Yep. It’s a gin made to taste like Jaffa Cakes and even includes the timeless treat in its botanical selection. Now we’re talking. An insanely delicious Negroni awaits. Extra dad points are awarded if they position an actual Jaffa Cake on the glass in the style of a citrus wheel garnish.
What does it taste like?
Zingy orange (marmalade-esque), rich and earthy chocolate, vanilla-rich cake, a touch of almondy-goodness and a solid backbone of juniper. Also, Jaffa Cakes!
6. Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva
If rum is more your dad’s thing, then you’ll want a good premium expression that boasts a large number of fans and a trophy cabinet like Michael Jordan. Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva is a delightful blend of dark rums distilled from molasses in ancient copper pot stills before being matured in small oak casks for up to 12 years. This Venezuelan treat is delicious served neat or in cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Daiquiri.
What does it taste?
Dark chocolate, vanilla cream, espresso, orange peel, liquorice and sweet toffee fudge.
7. The Lost Explorer Espadín Mezcal
Stir up some Mezcal Margaritas for Father’s Day with this joven mezcal from The Lost Explorer. Produced from the well-loved Espadín agave, grown to full maturity and harvested at eight years old, this expression boasts oodles of ripe fruit among the smokier notes at its core.
What does it taste like?:
Toffee apples, a little acacia honey, nectarine in syrup and spice, over-ripe grapes, coconut milk, oak spice and coffee supported by toasted barley and chocolate ice-cream in the background. Yum!
8. Bathtub Gin
If you’re on the lookout for classic juniper-forward gin, you might as well go for a serial award winner. Bathtub Gin was named for the 1920s Prohibition method of infusing botanicals in a bathtub, but don’t worry, this tastes a little more sophisticated than that. It was crafted with six botanicals using an interesting technique known as cold compounding. It has an aromatic, rich profile filled with notes of orange citrus, fragrant spices and a good core of juniper.
What does it taste?
Juniper-rich bouquet, cardamom, orange blossom and cinnamon.
9. Taylor’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port
Your dad likes to think they’re sophisticated. This may, or may not, be true. Regardless, a fine tawny port from Taylor’s will confirm their suspicions. The extra ten years of aging from the standard 10 year old have produced a fine balanced Port traditionally enjoyed as a dessert wine or at the end of the meal.
What does it taste?
Dates, prunes, sugared orange peel, raisins, sultanas and other dried fruit, underpinned by thick toffee honey sweetness.
10. Hine Rare Cognac
Cognac Day is on 4 June, so if you time it right then you can kill two birds with one stone and get him a bottle of Hine Rare VSOP Cognac. Made using a blend of around 20 different eaux-de-vie from the Grande and Petite Champagne regions, this VSOP has a flavour profile of floral breeze, fresh fruit, and warming woody spices.
What does it taste like?
Rich palate with notes of marmalade, toffee apples and stem ginger. Hints of rum spice.
11. LSA Whisky Islay Connoisseur Set & Walnut Tray
A very swanky deluxe set for those who really want to push the boat out. Containing glassware from LSA, there’s a one-litre, mouth-blown decanter with a walnut base, as well as two tumblers, two tasting glasses complete with lids, a water jug, and two walnut coasters. And it’s all housed within a swish walnut tray. Swanky!
12. A Secret Speyside 15 Year Old – Father’s Day Edition (Master of Malt) 70cl Whisky
Blended by a dad, for dads, this Speyside whisky was drawn from Pedro Ximénez, moscatel, palo cortado, and oloroso sherry casks. It’s seriosuly good, layering rich dried fruit, buttery pastry, soft leather, and warming spice with remarkable ease.
What does it taste like?
Soft, supple sweetness, with layers of apricot and vanilla cream cushioning balanced, warming spice. Millionaire’s Shortbread, honeyed almonds, and creamy grist.
13. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey Guitar Case Gift Pack
If your dad is a fan of Tennessee whiskey, then he loves guitar music. That’s just a fact. So an ideal gift is this pack which contains a 70cl bottle of Jack Daniel’s signature whiskey as well as a beautiful mini guitar case complete with a metal guitar head screw-on bottle stopper.
14. Gin Mare
No, the name is not a reference to the bad dreams you have after a night on the sauce. It’s the Spanish word for sea, pronounced something like ‘mar re’, and it’s another Mediterranean stunner featuring rosemary, thyme, basil with lots of zest, and the start product, arbequina olive. This is the gin of Barcelona.
What does it taste like?
A fragrant, perfume-like gin majoring, very herbal and aromatic with notes of coriander, juniper and citrus zest.
15. Drinks by the Dram 12 Dram Premium Rum Collection
For rum lovers, you can’t go wrong with the 12 Dram Premium Rum Collection. Inside there’s drams from noted producers such as Doorly’s, Goslings, and Flor de Caña as well as spirits from the likes of Jamaica, Haiti, and Guatemala, they’re the perfect way to taste and test your way through arguably the most exciting spirits category in the world.
16. Old Pulteney 18 Year Old Whisky
Old Pulteney 18 is matured in a combination of bourbon and Spanish oak casks to create notes of honeyed fruit, dark chocolate, warming spice, and maritime minerality. It’s delicious and fancy enough to make for a significant gift.
What does it taste like?
Cinnamon-spiced cookie dough, citrus, sea salt, green apple, mature oak, a very light touch of charcoal.
17. Retro Gin Fridge Tin (That Boutique-y Gin Company)
A tin full of gin goodies in a tin shaped like a retro fridge is exactly the kind of present your dad won’t expect but will adore. Within the nostalgic confines of this tin sits eight different 50ml miniature bottles from That Boutique-y Gin Company’s spectacular selection, from classic London Dry to flavours such as Smoked Rosemary, and Yuzu.
18. Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
I’m a sucker for coffee-flavoured drinks and Mr. Black Liqueur has remained a favourite since I first tried it. Made with a base of Australian grain spirit and coffee beans from Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia and Brazil, it’s cold infused, cold pressed and unfiltered, resulting in an intense flavour profile that’s delicious sipped neat and shines in cocktails.
What does it taste like?
Continued coffee elements, with a focus on caramel, vanilla, and enjoyably bitter chocolate notes.
19. Paul John Mithuna Whisky
Paul John Mithuna showcases just how exciting Indian whisky can be. Matured in first-fill American oak and finished in first-fill bourbon casks, it arrives at a robust 58% ABV packed with tropical fruit, vanilla pod, honey, toasted coconut, and warming spice. This is the bottle for dads who enjoy discovering something beyond the usual Scotch suspects.
What does it taste like?
Dried stone fruits and soaked sultanas, wafts of creamy coconut cross with cardamom and oak spice.
20. Delord 25 Year Old Bas-Armagnac
Top tip: There are few spirits that represent value like old Armagnac. With its wooden box and wax seal, this 25-year-old Bas Armagnac from Delord would make a very smart Father’s Day gift.
What does it taste like?
Caramel, cocoa butter and vanilla bring welcome sweetness among plenty of complex rancio and woody tannins.
Still not sure what to choose?
If you know what your dad drinks, begin there. A premium single malt whisky makes sense for the committed Scotch drinker, while a whisky tasting set works brilliantly for somebody who enjoys exploring.
For the more adventurous, look towards Indian whisky or añejo Tequila. If he prefers mixed drinks, choose a coffee liqueur and make the first cocktail for him.
And if you’re still stuck, there are always gift vouchers and our complete collection of Father’s Day gift ideas. Letting him choose is not admitting defeat. Think of it as strategic delegation.
