Spirits are a natural thought when gifting comes to mind. Often catering to the enthusiast cache or the indulgent joys of someone close to you, there are few better avenues to let someone know their value to you beyond a thoughtfully selected bottle of whiskey. This year, here are the standout whiskeys that can’t be overlooked for Father’s Day.
Compass Box Crimson Casks Scotch Whisky
Most people think of Scotch when it comes to gifting for Dad, and for good reason: Scotch has been a killer gift for as long as both gifting, and Scotch, have been around. Compass Box manages to keep Scotch interesting, with their adventurous and avant-garde style of blending and Crimson Cask is no different.
Whiskeys from a variety of Scottish distilleries is blended and then finished in sherry seasoned American Oak casks, bringing together two bold flavors for a dark, delicious, decadent Scotch that doesn’t take all evening to understand, and doesn’t break the bank.
With notes of honey, heather, leather, tobacco and cocoa, Compass Box’s Crimson Cask is one of their most daring releases but also most easy to enjoy. And, it won’t break the bank, which goes a long way as well.
Find Compass Box Crimson Casks.
Clyde May's Alabama Style Whiskey
Clyde May’s typically sneaks under the radar among bourbon drinkers, but if cocktails are your game, this bottling features a unique twist. Produced as an ‘Alabama’ style whiskey, Clyde May’s takes straight bourbon and subtly infuses apple to add a touch of sweetness and flavor that works great with those spirit-forward cocktails.
If you’re buying for an Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour lover, look no farther than this affordable twist that many routine buyers simply overlook. When Dad’s ready to up the proof, Clyde May’s also offers straight bourbon expressions that are barrel proof for some extra kick.
The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old
Rumored to be on its last legs, Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old expression is a stronghold of the brand and one of the most iconic Scotch whiskeys of all time. If heavy peat and smoke aren’t ideal for gifting this June, this whisky is a perfect about-face to those pungent notes, instead delivering sweet malt, jammy sherry, and a long tobacco finish.
Few brands have recognition like Macallan, featured in films, popular culture and decades of iconic advertising. With the brand’s recent redesign and price hikes on the way, there’s never been a better time to buy Macallan.
Explore this release and more from The Macallan.
Pinhook True Small Batch 2-Barrel Blend
Pinhook is a name that’s been around for years but makes the news far less often than it should. That said, their latest releases of True Small Batch have been receiving acclaim left and right, and it’s no surprise the Topflight 2 Barrel Blend took home Double Gold at 2025 San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition.
Packed full with sweet oak, baked apples, honey butter and baking spice, this Double Barrel blend is elegant and smooth, complex and interesting and goes to show that incredible single barrels can be incredible, but blends take the best whiskeys standing alone and elevate them beyond their individual qualities.
The Pinhook True Small Batch 2-Barrel Blend is now available as a part of ReserveBar’s Topflight Series and makes for a crazy cool bourbon that Dad won’t find anywhere but here!
Also, be sure to explore more exclusive Single Barrels and Private Selections from ReserveBar.
Bardstown 95/5 Rye Finished In Cherry Wood & Oak
Easily the most daring of this whiskey guide, Bardstown Bourbon Company’s 95/5 Rye Finished in Cherry Wood & Oak may just be the most delicious, for dads looking to take a plunge and try something new.
Produced from a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, this Kentucky distilled rye is aged and then finished in barrels made up of staves alternating between American Oak and Cherry Wood. This imparts beautiful baking spice, exotic character and plenty of dessert notes. No, it doesn’t impart cherry flavors, and it’s not an artificial finish - it’s all natural and all delicious.
Bardstown has been leading the charge in experimentation and innovation across their catalogue of amazing whiskeys, and it’s no surprise that this release has also scooped up an easy Double Gold from San Francisco World Spirits Competition as well.
Buy the Bardstown 95/5 Rye Finished In Cherry Wood & Oak on ReserveBar.
Old Forester 1920
Released as part of Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series, Old Forester 1920 has been one of the most consistently high-scoring whiskey releases to date for the brand. Consistent, packed with classic bourbon flavor and bottled at high proof, this sipper is perfect for dads who have been whiskey fans for years or prefer a bourbon forward cocktail.
1920 is also the perfect gateway whiskey for fans of bottlings like Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, or even Blanton’s to step up and embrace a bolder, richer flavor profile. As one of the best values in bourbon, Old Forester 1920 stands tall on any bar, no matter your application.
You can add to this release by exploring the entire Whiskey Row Series.
Four Roses Single Barrel
We’d be remiss to speak about heritage American Whiskey without discussing Four Roses, one of the most iconic brands in the space. Using more rye than other producers in their mashbills, Four Roses expertly releases both blends and single barrels of the highest quality.
The Four Roses Single Barrel leverages the brand’s OBSV recipe (they have 10 in-house bourbon recipes) and delivers a punch of flavor at 50% ABV that also makes the perfect julep or Whiskey Ginger. A favorite of mine no matter the season, it mixes well during the heat of summer and drinks satisfyingly during the cold of winter. The bottle is a work of art by itself and the perfect whiskey to gift.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Engraved with “Happy Father’s Day”
Johnnie Walker has long been the unofficial, yet undisputed, king of whisky gifted for business, holidays and gift-giving in general. This year, if your recipient has been extra good, seen impressive success in business, or perhaps recently won the lottery, few bottles impress like Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label®, all ready to gift with an engraved “Happy Father’s Day” message.
At one of the most desired selections among whisky lovers it sits among the world’s most prolific bottles and is sure to make a statement. For more affordable Johnnie Walker bottlings, consider picking out Johnnie Walker Green Label — the perfect blend of age, flavor and availability for this Father’s day. Between the wide portfolio of Johnnie Walker bottlings — Red, Black, Green and Blue — the Green Label offering carries a 15 year age statement and a price tag with value in mind, making it the perfect Walker for gifting.
About Jay West
Jay West is an independent spirits expert and long time reviewer. He now writes for himself at t8ke.com and manages the nation’s largest single barrel program - placing him at distilleries left and right, trying new whiskeys for work each day.
