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. Perhaps a 17-year old single malt from Dalmore or the oldest bottling to-date from Jameson – or a tempting tasting set of Japanese whiskies from Drinks by the Dram.
Best whiskies for Father’s Day
Annandale Man O’Words 10 Year Old Cask #125 Fresh Ex-Bourbon
Hard to believe that it’s over a decade since the resurrection of the Annandale Distillery in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. With a name inspired by Robert Burns, this is its first 10-year-old release (there’s also a peated variant, Man O’Sword). It delivers perfumed apple and poached pear, with layers of honey and beeswax, plus notes of vanilla fudge from the cask. The high strength gives it extra grip; water teases out more of the spirit’s aromatic character. Alcohol 58.8%
Cotswolds Hearts & Crafts Calvados Single Malt
The sixth bottling in the Hearts & Crafts series, this English single malt was wholly matured – unusually – in ex-Calvados casks. Power of suggestion maybe, but a thread of lightly stewed apples is always present here, alongside a dusting of cinnamon and darker notes of golden syrup and treacle. A subtle and pleasing interplay between light aromatics and deeper richness. Alc 55%
Dalmore Luminary No3 17 Year Old 2025 Edition
The latest Luminary Scotch releases are part of a tie-in with architect Ben Dobbin of Foster + Partners (there’s also a 52-year-old auctioned by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong). Some classic Dalmore elements here, with a rich, silkily textured character that’s big on dried apricot, tarte tatin and coffee roaster. But there are also lighter notes of vetiver and scented pot-pourri. Alc 49.2%
Drinks by the Dram The Japanese Whisky Tasting Set
Tasting sets are a fun gift at the best of times, but this also works as a kind of primer on Japanese whisky, with six miniatures spanning some of the most famous names: Yamazaki, Hibiki, Nikka, Hakushu, Yoichi and Hatozaki. Pressed for highlights, I’d have to plump for the sweetly floral-tinged fruit of Yamazaki 12 Year Old and Nikka Coffey Grain’s herbal take on the bourbon template. Alc various
Fielden Rye Whisky
A year on from its rebranding (previously known as The Oxford Artisan Distillery), the USP of English distillery Fielden remains its work with heritage grains and no chem regen farming techniques. While punchy, this is a far more elegant rye than the classic American style, with floral and herbal elements overlaying cereal, pink peppercorn and a touch of menthol. Maturation in a mix of American oak and ex-wine and Madeira casks brings sweet notes of vanilla fudge and molasses. Alc 48%
Glen Scotia 50 Year Old Elements of Campbeltown Release No1 Air
The first 50-year-old release from this Campbeltown survivor, and the first in a planned annual series, this venerable Scotch was distilled in 1973 and fully matured in refill American oak. That helps to explain its remarkable vivacity, with classic distillery characters of boatyard and seaweed, alongside roasted almond, dried pear and all spice. One for the serious collector. Alc 42.3%
Jameson 23 Year Old Small Batch
Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange, this is the oldest bottling to date from Irish distillery Jameson, and is a world away from the brand’s core product. A blend of single pot still and grain whiskeys, it displays the former’s tangy, spice-edged orchard fruits alongside plenty of vanilla and honey from the latter. Sweet, but never cloying thanks to the presence of some peppy black pepper and even a jab of chilli. Alc 55.1%
Laphroaig Elements L2.0
Elements L2.0 is Laphroaig, but not exactly as we know it: an unusually long fermentation time of 115 hours conjures aromas of grilled pineapple, baked pear and even tangerine peel. Fear not, though – the classic Islay distillery character is also present, with plenty of smouldering beach bonfire and Arbroath smokie straight from the pan. Sweeter than the benchmark 10-year-old, with touches of manuka honey and spun sugar. Alc 59.6%
Linkwood 2008 16 Year Old Bourbon Cask
A superb example of the sometimes underrated Linkwood, bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange by Signatory Vintage. This is a straight-down-the-line, pitch-perfect combination of distillery character and quality American oak: wildflower meadow, lemongrass and confectioner sweetness, then pastel de nata and a gentle undertow of baking spices. In the current whisky climate, it’s also excellent value for money. Alc 58.7%
That Boutique-y Whisky Company 10 Year Old American Bourbon
A new addition to the terrific (and terrific value) Boutique-y range, this is a classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon with as much grunt and power as the bison that adorns its label. Bags of vanilla, black banana, roasted hazelnut and sticky treacle, all carried on a sweet, silky, corn-rich palate. After a decade in oak, there’s excellent depth here, with secondary flavours of polished walnut and tanned leather. Alc 45.8%
