What better way to celebrate Father’s Day than with a bottle of something special? But with so much whisky out there to choose from, deciding which bottle to buy can be confusing.
The good news is there’s arguably never been a better time to buy whisky. Alongside established producers in Scotland and the US, whisky distilleries are popping up all over the globe, helping to create a varied world of whisky. From Tasmania and New Zealand to Denmark and Finland, you’ll find international drams to suit every taste.
Meanwhile the big names of Scotch, bourbon and Irish whiskey are now upping their game as never before, experimenting with raw ingredients, cask finishes and special releases.
With innovative approaches to distillation, a brave new generation of whisky makers is not afraid to rip up the rulebook. They are showing real creativity in the pursuit of fresh flavours and distinctive new tastes.
The result is that there’s something in our top 10 selection for every paternal taste, whether your dad prefers a Sherried single malt, a spicy American rye whiskey, or a tangy Irish single pot still. They might even be persuaded to share.
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Best whiskies for Father’s Day
Ardgowan Clydebuilt Draughtsman
Ardgowan distillery is due to open later this year near the village of Inverkip on the West Coast of Scotland. In the meantime it has been buying up special barrels to create its excellent Clydebuilt Collection. Created by whisky maker Max McFarlane, Draughtsman is the final release and it’s an enticing combination of eight old (25 years) and not so old (eight years) Sherry-matured single malts from Lowland, Highland and Speyside distilleries. Beautifully perfumed, the classic Sherry notes of dried fruit and baking spices are accented by a sweet, jammy character and a herbal edge. Sumptuous. Alcohol 46%
Cù Bòcan Creation #6
Tomatin’s lightly peated experimental Cù Bòcan Scotch bottlings have built a reputation for pushing the flavour envelope (Moroccan Cabernet Sauvignon casks, anyone?) This latest incarnation is definitely one to delight those with a sweet tooth. A mix of ex-rum and PX Sherry casks makes for a heady, decadent mix of charred marshmallow, stem ginger, sticky dates and cherries dipped in dark chocolate. Alc 46%
Dad’s Dram Blended Malt
It’s often best to give novelty Father’s Day gifts the swerve, but in the case of this release from The Whisky Exchange, you should get beyond the label and enjoy a lively mix of vanilla cream-soaked and cinnamon-dusted apple crumble, a grating of fresh ginger and some greener, more herbal notes. Bottled at a robust strength that carries all the flavours across the palate, it’s good fun, whatever your parental status or gender. Alc 56%
Dingle Cónocht an Earraigh
Celebrating the life-giving properties of the spring solstice, this latest release from Dingle’s Celtic Wheel of the Year series marries the Irish distillery’s impeccable spirit with ripe, sweet and spicy notes from extra maturation in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon casks. Richly fruited with plum and a touch of cassis, alongside cinnamon and nutmeg spice, plus an appealing sideline of hazelnut and light caramel. Alc 50.5%
High West Double Rye
A mix of two high-rye mashbills: one 95% rye and column-distilled on contract, the other 80% rye and pot-distilled at High West’s Utah distillery. This is a terrific all-rounder, combining that trademark gutsy rye spice with enervating notes of menthol, liquorice root and an elusive, absinthe-like quality. Bold enough, without blowing the doors off – and it makes a mean Old Fashioned. Alc 46%
Holyrood Embra
The first peated release from Edinburgh’s – hence ‘Embra’ – highly experimental Holyrood distillery (check out the dizzying array of grain and yeast types). This is surprisingly delicate for a smoky malt, with citrus and pear confit undercutting those drier peaty elements. There’s a bit of grip and weight in the mid-palate, and it’s an altogether enjoyable, balanced tasting experience that confirms Holyrood’s great promise. Alc 43.6%
Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash
As the name suggests, this US whiskey is a blend of three spirit styles: American malt, Tennessee rye and Tennessee whiskey, bottled at ‘100 proof’ (50% abv) for a bit of added grunt. Beyond that, it’s pure Jack – richly oak-influenced, with lots of black toast slathered with honey, an edge of spice and an appealingly sweet, rounded and harmonious character. It’s nice neat, but also highly mixable. Alc 50%
Potted Shrimp and Salmon Terrine Cask No 137.20
A classic example of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society esoterica in terms of its name and origin (Google ‘SMWS’ and ‘distillery 137’ and you’ll soon work it out). This is one of a three-whisky Dram Good Dad Father’s Day tasting pack (£35). It’s a vibrant peated single malt, with lots of bonfire ash and – as the name suggests – a lipsmacking maritime character that belies the English distillery’s rural inland location. Alc 60.9%
The Cardrona Full Flight Solera
The last bottling from the ‘coming of age’ phase of this tremendous New Zealand distillery, this is a seven-year-old single malt that’s seen a mix of oloroso Sherry and ex-bourbon casks, before bottling at a rather eye-watering cask strength. Be brave, try it neat and drink in all that forest fruit, high-cocoa chocolate and coconut – then add a splash or two of water and watch it open up, soften and take on a delightfully fragrant character. Alc 62.8%
The Feering Early Harvest
South-east of Dufftown lies the Cabrach, a remote and sometimes desolate area that was a hotbed of illicit distillation more than 200 years ago. The Cabrach Trust is set to revive whisky-making here, and this release prefaces that with a blend of four Speyside malts, put together by former Glenlivet Master Distiller Alan Winchester. It’s a beautifully delicate, lifted, honeyed mingling of sweet cereal notes and just a whisper of heather smoke in the background. Alc 46%