From Aussie rye to award-winning brandy, here are the best gift ideas for the old man.
Dads give us so much. Some of that can be beautiful – like their worldly guidance, or the genetic gift of thick, lustrous hair – and some can be less so (it was hard growing up as a Richmond supporter in the 2000s). But considering how much Dads have given us all over the years, Father’s Day is the chance to give back. And if he’s into a well-chosen bottle of spirits, then we have some excellent ideas.
To show those fatherly types just how much we love and appreciate them, we’ve rounded up a bunch of our favourite gift-worthy spirits. Below, you’ll find everything from cocktail-ready liqueurs to special whiskies for savouring, plus a couple of great picks to share with Dad on the day. Whatever he fancies – and whatever your budget – we’ve got it covered.
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Spirits to gift under $40
- Ambra Lximoncello
Limoncello has had a real resurgence in recent years. The traditional Italian liqueur is made by steeping the zest of fresh, unwaxed lemons in high-proof alcohol and blending it with sugar syrup, resulting in a sweet, lemony liqueur that’ll bring a little ray of Amalfi sun to Dad’s glass.
We’re particularly fond of this one from Ambra, not just because of the killer price and kooky bottle shape, but also because it’s bright, juicy and made in South Australia. The traditional Italian way to drink limoncello is to sip it chilled and neat after a big meal, but make sure Dad knows it’s also great in cocktails like the Limoncello Hugo Spritz and Yellow Negroni.
- Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur
Kahlua should be familiar to most seasoned Dads because it’s a proper home-bar staple and a key ingredient of some of the best cocktails around. And, sure, you could go for all sorts of coffee liqueurs in its place, but there’s a reason why Kahlua has become such a go-to – it’s a perfect balance of sweet coffee flavour and budget-friendly price.
Give Kahlua to any cocktail-loving Dads, and throw in some recipe recommendations, too, like the ever-popular Espresso Martini, The Big Lebowski-famous White Russian, or the decadent Dominicana.
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Spirits to gift under $60
- Buffalo Trace Bourbon
There’s a lot to love about a good bourbon, including the fact that it’s generally pretty affordable. Bourbon is always, by law, aged in brand new American oak casks, which gives it that signature toasty butterscotch flavour. It also ages differently to other whiskies around the world, owing to Kentucky’s unique climate.
Yep, bourbon is a special thing, and Buffalo Trace is one of our favourites. It’s loaded with vanilla, spice and flavours of brown sugar, making it perfect for straight sipping (we like ours neat). But it’ll also take a classic Whiskey Sour or Mint Julep to the next level.
- Archie Rose True Cut Vodka
Australia has been leading the craft spirits charge over the past decade or two, but local vodka isn’t always celebrated like our best craft gins, whiskies and liqueurs. That’s why we think it’s time to put the spotlight on producers like Archie Rose.
This inner-Sydney distillery has long been making some of the smoothest vodka in Australia, and we’re big fans of the True Cut – and we reckon Dad will be, too. True Cut is soft and easy going, thanks to 100% Aussie wheat, and it gets a subtle citrus flavour and silky texture from reclaimed orange peel and local botanicals like river mint and lemon myrtle. A perfect partner for Dad’s favourite soda.
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Spirits to gift under $80
- Hendrick's Another
Before the boom in craft gin, there was Hendrick’s – a Scottish gin with a cool, cucumber-forward flavour that gave us a Gin and Tonic like nothing else. Now Hendrick’s has another gin – literally called Another – and it’s every bit as interesting as the original.
Behind its opaque white bottle, Another is loaded with orange blossom and cacao flavours, which makes it a little more luxurious than the original, and it adds almost dessert-like flavours to the mix. The gin is still bone dry, and any adventurous, gin-loving Dad will find it right at home in a G&T (garnished with cucumber, naturally) or leaning into those decadent flavours in a gin Sgroppino.
- 1800 Blanco Tequila
Dad likes a Margarita? Well, if he’s also into making them at home, you should make sure he starts with a good tequila – like 1800 Blanco. Like all genuine tequila, 1800 starts life in the Mexican region of Jalisco with nothing but Blue Weber agave.
The fact that this is a blanco, which is clear and unaged, means all those earthy, fruity, spicy agave flavours shine through – and that’s what Dad will enjoy in his Margarita. Great quality blanco tequila isn’t just for mixing, either – plenty of purists will tell you that blanco is the best tequila, full stop. That means that Dad will love this served neat, too.
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Spirits to gift under $100
- Nikka From The Barrel Japanese Whisky
Japanese whisky has become some of the most celebrated in the world, but that also means it can be rare and expensive. Throughout Japan’s worldwide whisky explosion, Nikka From The Barrel has remained as delicious and approachably priced as ever, packing a high ABV (51.4%) and rich, slightly smoky flavour profile into its iconic square bottle.
Japan’s favourite way to serve whisky is as a Whisky Highball, which would be perfect here, but its complex flavours are definitely a treat served neat or on the rocks, too.
- The Gospel Solera Rye
Australia has plenty of spots that are perfect for growing grains like rye. And for the whisky-obsessed team at the Gospel, that means making local drams with nothing but Australian rye grain. For any Dads with a taste for American whiskey or an eye for local producers, the Gospel Solera Rye should really hit the mark.
Aussie rye lends a soft, spicy richness to this spirit, with plenty of sweet toffee notes and the complexity of both American oak and Australian red wine barrels. This all makes it perfect for adding some local flavour to Dad’s next Manhattan or Boulevardier.
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Spirits to gift over $100
- St Agnes XO 15YO Brandy
If you’ve ever browsed through the Cognac section, you’ll know that anything labelled ‘XO’ (which means ‘extra old’) is definitely on the pricier side. Australia’s brandy legends St Agnes produce some of the world’s very best aged brandy that brings all that Cognac quality without the price tag (although, if you want to tell Dad you paid more, we won’t blab).
This 15-year-old brandy just picked up Best Brandy at the Australian International Spirits Awards (as well as the trophy for Champion Large Australian distillery). And it looks as good as it tastes in its sleek, rounded bottle with the oversized gold stopper. As for the brandy inside it’s rich, silky and complex – perfect for those chilly nights by the fire with Dad.
- Balvenie 12YO DoubleWood Whisky
Scotch whisky tends to be aged in one of two types of oak barrel: ex-sherry or ex-bourbon. Both have their appeal, with sherry bringing a fruity richness to the whisky, while bourbon tends to give sweet and creamy notes. With its DoubleWood, Balvenie seems to be of the same opinion as the little girl in those Old El Paso ads: por qué no los dos?
The result is a seriously delicious Scotch whisky with deep complexity. There’s jammy fruit flavour, butterscotch sweetness and baking spices all wrapped up in one. This is a whisky for Dad to savour.
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Spirits to share on the day with Dad
- Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey
Sweet-tooth Dads, we see you – and we appreciate you. While these Dads certainly deserve a sweet treat on Father’s Day this year, we think this peanut-flavoured blended whiskey from Sheep Dog is better than cake or chocolate – or, at least, a great drink on the side.
This leans a little toward the dessert side of things, with a butterscotch and candied peanut flavour sitting above the rich whiskey. It would make an excellent chilled sipper after your Father’s Day lunch.
- The Kraken Black Spiced Rum
The Kraken is a classic – and one that spiced-rum-loving Dads should know well. If not, you should enjoy this together on the day.
We recommend using Kraken to mix a rich take on the Dark ‘n’ Stormy – a blend of rum, lime and ginger beer – or using its luxurious vanilla and spice flavours to take a cocktail like a Rum Old Fashioned to a Father’s-Day level of indulgence.
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