Father’s Day is this Sunday and if you’re anything like us, you still haven’t purchased anything for your dad (or father-in-law). A simple card won’t do, fam, it’s the lowest level of gifting possible. Throw in a gift card to Home Depot, or your dad’s favorite clothing store and you’re probably leaps and bounds ahead of your siblings. But if you really want to outdo your brothers and sisters, you’ll buy pops a bottle of his favorite whiskey, gin, rum, tequila, or whatever spirit he favors.
Like us, bartenders agree that the gift of booze is what your dad really wants. That’s why we asked them to tell us the one bottle they’d gift their own father or fathers-in-law for Father’s Day. Honestly, the man already has enough novelty ties.
Banks 5 Island Rum
Daniel King, beverage director at Butchertown Hall in Nashville
Now that you mention it, I think I might send my dad a bottle of Banks 5 this year. The only cocktail I’m ever truly certain he will like is a mojito and Banks 5 is a really solid blended white rum. There is plenty of depth there without being off-putting in any way. Maybe I’ll send him a mint plant too. Thanks for the idea.
Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon
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Josh Cameron, head bartender of Boulton & Watt in New York City
Woah, randomly relevant. I actually just gifted my grandfather a bottle of Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon. I wouldn’t be who I am without his stubborn lessons and the time I spent sitting on the side of the tractor as a kid. And Russell’s Reserve represents the no apologies, follow your gut lifestyle, something my grandfather taught me.
Milagro Reposado Tequila
Gia St. George, bar manager at China Poblano by José Andrés in Las Vegas
For my dad, it will be tequila all the way. My father does this thing with tequila that is always a showstopper. We call them strawberry ups. He takes a strawberry and cuts it to mimic a shot glass then pours reposado tequila in it. Eat in one bite; it’s super delicious! His favorite reposado tequila to use is Milagro Reposado.
I would surprise him with that along with a few baskets of strawberries.
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva
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Pamela Wiznitzer, mixologist at The Lookup in New York City
My dad isn’t a big drinker, but I found out during a cocktail presentation we collaborated on a few years, that he likes a well-shaken daiquiri. I do think rum is an under-appreciated category that has a range of versatile spirits. It would be easy to pick him up a beautiful bottle like Diplomatico, Plantation Pineapple Rum, or Bacardi. You could even try something different like Boukman or even some Cachaca like the Novo Digo Tanager or Avua Amburana.
If you decided to go the whiskey route, I’d do Tullamore Dew Caribbean Cask – it has beautiful bottling and is something Dad (whether he likes whiskey or not) would be sure to enjoy. It’s versatile for all drinkers!
Dalmore 15-Year-Old Scotch
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Mitch Barela, bartender at Old Vine Kitchen + Bar in Costa Mesa, California
Definitely Benefiber.
Kidding…kind of. But seriously, a nice scotch is definitely a great gift idea, and Dalmore 15 would do perfectly. I don’t know about yours, but my dad is big on spices and aromatic flavors and Dalmore 15 really brings that to the forefront. Nutmeg and cinnamon hit the nose as ginger and crushed spices ease onto the palate.
Chinaco Anejo Tequila
Sean Stangle, bartender at Estiatorio Milos in Las Vegas
Father’s Day to me always involves barbecuing and treating the old man to his favorite type meal and celebration. I always bring a new type of tequila for my father to try and it never disappoints. This year I’m showing up with Chinaco Anejo. At about $55 a bottle, this crowd favorite is aged in once-passed bourbon barrels giving it a slight sweetness that pairs swimmingly with grilled meats.
Bertoux Brandy
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Jeff Bell, bartender at PDT in New York City
My father-in-law likes to drink whiskey soda because it’s delicious and easy to make at home. I gifted him a bottle of Bertoux Brandy to give him some more options at home for an easy-to-make drink. Just 2:1 Club Soda to Bertoux in an ice cold glass, filled with ice and garnished with a lemon wheel or a lemon twist will do the trick.
Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12-Year-Old Rum
Nicholas Bennett, beverage director at Cedric’s at The Shed in New York City
I would get my father a bottle of the Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12-year-old rum. He likes good rum, and this is a great one. My father-in-law is a fan of Negroni, so the obvious choice would be a bottle of Campari.
Whistle Pig 15-Year-Old Rye Whiskey
Rico Velasquez, bartender at Jaleo by José Andrés in Las Vegas
If I could choose any bottle to give to my father, it would be 15-year Whistle Pig Rye. Whistle Pig utilizes the oak trees, grains and water from their farm, making their whiskeys truly unique and nonreplicable. Plus, my father loves animals and would love to meet Whistle Pig’s pet pigs.
Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon
Victoria Levin, director of project management at Blau + Associates in Las Vegas
My dad is a bourbon man all the way and he tends to keep it affordable with Evan Williams (which is shockingly good for its price point) but I’d go with Bulleit if using my wallet and Blanton’s Original Single Barrel or a Pappy if someone else is chipping in. Hi papa!
Jack Daniel’s Frank Sinatra Edition
Brock Schulte, bar director at The Monarch Cocktail Bar & Lounge in Kansas City
My Dad was a Jack Daniels man so I would probably try and source a bottle of the Frank Sinatra edition or get him a bottle of the Single Barrel. If I wanted him to branch out and try something new, I would have to go with Old Forester 1920, Jefferson Ocean, or Russell’s Single Barrel.
They all pack a little punch but are unique in their own right. Great examples of just good, affordable American Whiskey.
Cimarron Tequila Reposado
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Lucas Swallows, bar director at Momofuku in Las Vegas
I’d make it a combo of Cimarron Tequila Reposado and Cointreau. A margarita is good in almost every application, but it can be mind-blowing with premium liquor. If my father-in-law was cool, I might throw in some Sal de gusano (Mexican agave worm salt) for good measure.
