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Getting your father a gift for Father’s Day can be a bit nerve-wracking. Will he like that silk tie? Are all watches this expensive? Has he already read this book? The panic-inducing range of gifts runs the gamut from done-and-dusted to unobtainable; but there’s one category of gift that’s exempt from this equation — alcohol. A bottle of a great premium spirit isn’t just a failsafe (if you have some idea of your father’s preferences, naturally), it’s also bonding in bottle form. So get ready to uncork and unwind with your dad; it’s time for a great Father’s Day for both of you.
Indri Trini
A homegrown single malt made in a little village in the catchment area of the Yamuna river, Trini is matured in first-fill bourbon, ex-French wine and PX sherry Casks. Nuanced flavours, a sleek bottle that looks great when it comes unwrapped.
₹3,100 (approx)
Chivas Regal 25 YO
This beautiful primo blend is a recreation of the OG luxury Chivas whisky from 1909 that lived too short a life because of prohibition. A heavyweight present if your father likes an earthy, almond-peach blend–or a blend of rare 25-year-old Scotch whiskies with a sense of history.
₹33,000 (approx)
Johnnie Walker Black Label
A luxe blend matured in oak casks with creamy notes of toffee, this usquebaugh has a smooth, smoky finish we love. The ultimate sweet spot between a whisky that doesn’t break the bank or your reputation as a good gift-giver.
₹3,750 (approx)
Black Dog Millard’s Private Reserve 14YO
This was born as an ode to the legacy of Sir Walter Millard, a 19-year-old British employee (at the time) of Phipson who assisted founder James MacKinlay in 1884 in creating it. Love a great malt with a solid backstory–and lightly toasted oak nuances, of course.
₹6,490 (approx)
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
The most prestigious whisky from the house of Johnnie Walker, the Blue Label is a one-way ticket to being the golden child. Pour yourself and your dad a dram and reminisce about the good old days as you partake of a blend that was first crafted in those days.
₹27,000 (approx)
Talisker 10 YO
A bottle with gravitas, this one. Talisker is a malt for the whisky savant who knows his stuff, and if that sounds like your dad; you’ve found the perfect gift. Break open those peaty, sea-salt notes and luxurious dry fruit finish and you have yourself a great drink
₹6,250 (approx)
Unvined Riesling by Jacob’s Creek
Who says a teetotaler dad doesn’t want to partake in the wine-and-cheese festivities? The Unvined series by Australian wine-makers Jacob’s Creek is almost a non-alcoholic edit (with less than 0.5% alcohol) to give it just enough kick without the impact. We recommend uncorking their Resling; crisp, citrus-y and floral.
₹900 (approx)
Sula Vineyards Zinfandel Red Wine
The perfect distinction between ‘affordable’ and ‘budget’, Sula makes a great Zinfandel for its price bracket. The jammy-noted California grape is a spicy, blackberry-laced vino that’s ideal for a pre-dinner toast with your dad.
₹715 (approx)
Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo
A good Rioja is really one of the best reds there is, and this earthy Spanish edit with black plum and berry fruit is exhibit A. This cedar and spice lined full-bodied wine is perfect to sip with a special father’s day steak dinner.
₹1,615 (approx)
Bacardi Reserva Ocho
Nothing spells out a bond that’s only gotten richer with time like a premium aged spirit; and the Reserva Ocho–a mahogany-tinted rum, barrel-aged for 8 years–is case in point. This one is a sipping rum, so just add a little ice and you’re golden.
₹5,500 (approx)
Segredo Aldeia Café Rum
By the folks who brought cult whisky Woodburns and one of the country’s favourite homegrown craft gins, Pumori comes this lovely rum, named after a secret Goan village on the banks of the Mandovi. They do a lovely white, but it’s their coffee, vanilla and dark chocolate-rife Café edit we like best.
₹3,050 (approx)
Five Rivers Rum
A refreshing Dry Indian Spiced white–with a claim to being the world’s first ever–the origin story of this Indo-UK rum traces back to Punjab, the ‘land of five rivers’. Does just as well in a cocktail or tonic as it does on your dad’s shelf of favourites.
₹2,966 (approx)
Good Man Brandy
This made-in-India brandy is a good fit if you’re after a bottle to give your dd that won’t set you back thousands–but also doesn’t look like you cheaped out. We like this premium French and Indian grape brandy-blend for its pear, apple and sweet vanilla notes.
₹1,830 (approx)
Rémy Martin XO Excellence
Floral, fruit and spicy, this edit from the French cognacers is long-lasting favourite with aficionados of the spirit. And with a bottle that was born to be gifted, there’s no dispute about how ideal it is for the occasion.
₹32,000 (approx)
Hennessy Very Special
Assertive and aromatic, this is one of the most popular cognacs in the world for a reason. Matured in new oak barrels, the toasted notes and pops of fruit hold the fort with this cocktail-friendly cognac. Mix one up and the favourite child award is yours.
₹5,720 (approx)
Pistola Agave
The country’s first aged homegrown agave spirit, this smooth-as-all-hell number was crafted by the minds behind one of the country’s best cocktaileries–PCO. The vanilla-caramel notes are punctuated perfectly by pepper, making no mixers necessary.
₹2,695 (approx)
Patrón Reposado
It’s hard not to think of Patrón when you think of tequila when ‘let’s do a shot of Patrón’ has become a part of millennial vocabulary through the noughties. The Reposado does beautifully in a fresh, citrusy Marg though–the quintessential drink for a summer Sunday with your dad.
₹6,200 (approx)
Bira 91 ‘Imagined In India’
It’s always worth keeping an eye out for this homegrown brand’s new, seasonal edits; and we’d say pick up an eight-pack of their ‘Imagined In India’ brewskies so you can your dad can each crack open one and try all the flavours–Bollywood IPA, Kokum Sour, Brown Ale, and Mango Lassi.₹300 (approx)
Eight Finger Eddie by Goa Brewing Company
A cult favourite that’s always on our list because it never stops being pretty damn fantastic. The tribute to the original hippie of Goa, Yertward Mazamanian, is a double dry-hopped oat cream ale with just the slightest touch of bitter to make things interesting.
₹130 (approx)
Godfather Strong Beer
At 8% ABV, this 1984-born homegrown is a real kick-in-the-pants–beer wise, but it's conducive to some great bonding moments with your dad that can only come with a strong beer.
₹180 (approx)
Hapusa
Most gins in the indie craft revolution tend to blend (and we don’t mean into a tonic), but Hapusa stands out because of its piquant notes that punch through. Not to mention how gorgeous the deep purple flacon looks on a liquor trolley rolling in.
₹2,600 (approx)
Trading Tides by Strangers & Sons
It’s not often a limited-ed makes our list of gifts; simply because they’re tricky to get. But in the case of this one by Stranger & Sons, rife with notes of Aussie lemon myrtle, river mint black and green cardamom, long pepper, teppal and fresh chilli, the effort is worth it.
₹3,550 (approx)
Sipsmith Gin
Nothing makes for a chilled, crisp Father’s day martini quite like this traditional London Dry. Just splash some in with vermouth and lemon to unleash its dry juniper leads, orange marmalade and lemon tarts tones.
₹4,360 (approx)
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