Father’s Day comes as perhaps the best time of the year – the transition from Spring to Summer, and with it, perfect whiskey drinking weather. Whether it's for Father's Day or any other reason to celebrate, it’s no secret that dads can be tough to shop for. At Bottle Raiders, we believe the best gift is always whiskey, and plenty of it crosses our desk each month. Here are the four whiskeys you can’t overlook while shopping for dad.
Top Notch, High Proof
Highland Park Cask Strength is a relatively new bottling, packing tons of flavor at a price most whiskey fans won’t recognize for Highland Park. Notorious for high prices, and luxuriously detailed bottles, Highland Park Cask Strength is an incredible sub-$100 Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Currently resting at a prestigious 90pts on Bottle Raiders, the high proof bottling delivers “no shortage of flavor with a rich mouth feel, and the ABV is incredibly gentle”. Drinkers can expect notes reminiscent of creme brulee, cocoa, oak and a bit of toffee.
The distillery resides on the Island of Orkney, features moderately peated barley, and bottles a large catalogue of releases for the European and American markets. Firmly leaning into the region’s past, Highland Park has recently moved to featuring more of their Viking Soul.
Buy Highland Park Cask Strength | Highland Park Cask Strength Reviews
The Ultimate Single Barrel Bourbon
There are few names better known to the modern drinker than that of the Russell’s and their master class display of talent via bottlings produced at Wild Turkey distillery. Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon features well aged bourbon, no chill filtering and a healthy bottling ABV of 55% ABV.
The team at Wild Turkey manages a wide swatch of warehouses, each unique in their location, storage method, construction and more. You can expect to see Russell’s Reserve Single Barrels bottled from a variety of Wild Turkey’s most iconic warehouses, so you can expect quality whiskey in each one.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon is a favorite of Bottle Raiders – we’ve tried over 50 different bottlings from this label, and each has been good, to great. At 55% ABV, Russell’s isn’t short on flavor, drinks full and rich, but doesn’t pose a challenge to new drinkers. Our favorite cocktail is a Russell’s Gold Rush – a perfect, citrus forward and spritely cocktail for summer evenings on the porch.
Explore the Russell’s Reserve Line-up | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bottle Raiders Review
The Whiskey Many Line Up For - Straight To Your Door
Oftentimes, the joy of unwrapping whiskey is the thrill to try something new. Drinkers tend to find their lane and stick in it for a while; discovering something new to shift your gaze outside your lane can be refreshing, and fun.
The Woodford Reserve’s Double Double Oak is releasing to the public, widely for the first time EVER and it’s no surprise that folks lined up for years at Woodford Reserve’s campus in Versailles, Kentucky just to seek the opportunity to purchase a bottle.
Full of rich oak, big and beautiful baking spice, caramels and cola notes, the double double oak is a rich bourbon that’s not hard to enjoy. And, don’t tell anyone we told you so, but it makes a great Manhattan - just in case Dad is a cocktail lover instead. While many may scoff at using expensive whiskey in a Manhattan…good ingredients make great dishes, so why not do the same when cocktailing at home.
While it’s not easy to find, it is available nationwide through ReserveBar, so it’s a no brainer to try (while you can) as its selling fast.
Buy Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Bourbon | The Double Double Oaked Review
Top Shelf with The GlenDronach
One of our favorite Scotch Whisky distilleries here at Bottle Raiders, The GlenDronach is perhaps the ideal splurge for Dad this spring. The distillery was shuttered for a period of time earlier this century, leading some of their bottlings to contain much older whiskey than advertised. The GlenDronach is notoriously well known for their access to great sherry casks, and their meticulous cask management.
Parliament, the distillery’s 21 year old Single Malt, is a hefty investment at $250+, but dodges nearly all of the pitfalls of high end whiskey purchases. Fully matured in sherry casks, Parliament delivers an opulent variety of flavors, most notable among them: deep sherry, figs, stewed fruits, grapes and honey.
GlenDronach’s 21yr expression is a bottling with few equals at the price range, delivering flavor, quality, and sleek packaging perfect for gifting.
Explore The GlenDronach | GlenDronach 21yr Parliament Bottle Raiders Reviews
Bonus: Exceptional Glassware for the Perfect Pour
Why stop with just an great bottle of whiskey? Show your love and appreciation to the father figures in your life with exquisitely crafted crystal gifts from Waterford. The right glassware can enhance your dad's whiskey experience: whether he enjoys his whiskey neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, a crystal whiskey glass is a fun way to add a special touch to his favorite pours.
The Lismore Black collection (pictured) blends cutting-edge innovation with timeless tradition. The legend of Lismore began in 1952, when it was first created by our visionary Chief Designer Miroslav Havel. The pattern of these glasses is said to pay homage to the Gothic designs the 800-year-old Lismore Castle, drawing inspiration from the symmetry of its towers, pointed arches, and curves of its windows. Lismore Black adds the deep, opaque black accents for a dramatic flair to the Lismore design.
Explore the Waterford Collection
About the Author
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.
