Father’s Day 2023: The coolest boozy gifts to send to your dad
Dad jokes aside, there’s nothing boring about a bottle of booze. Whether you can make it to visit your Dad for one of his legendary bear hugs, or you’re having to spend it apart – we’ve pulled together a list of thoughtful prezzies in the form of booze, all of which can be delivered to the door.
From Yorkshire whiskey to the latest blend of gin, here are some great Father’s Day gift ideas from brands new and old. We’ve found sustainably produced tequila, top quality whisky cocktails, and more…
A range of fruit-infused premium blanco tequila specifically crafted for margaritas. Brands like Neurita are paving the way for the “new wave” of tequilas landing in the UK. Say goodbye to hangover-inducing drinks with way too much afterburn and say hello (or hola) to naturally fresh tequila with a bold flavour. We love the citrus option, shaken up into a classic marg, and we think your dad will too. Available from Neurita (£29.99).
Harvey Nichols Châteauneuf-Du-Pape
This juicy, big red is a joy to drink and its embossed bottle makes an impressive gift for Father’s Day. The blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault grapes come from 50-year-old vines, and a long 18 month maturation brings bold flavours, with hints of cherry and a complex herby note. Really lovely enjoyed with a barbecue or Sunday dinner, if you’re cooking for your Dad this year. Available from Harvey Nichols in a limited run of bottles (£32.50).
If your Dad is keen on brandy, Carlos I is a flawless choice. Aged in the old Spanish Solera system (which involves combining a mixture of ages) this is a Brandy de Jerez, produced in a protected region known as the Sherry Triangle. Made with Airén and Palomino grapes Carlos I is distilled and aged in American oak casks which give the brandy its unique flavour. The drink’s nutty almond notes and fruitiness make it a delight sipped neat on ice or in a cocktail. Available from Booths (£48).
Just in time to celebrate Father’s Day, BACARDÍ Rum has officially launched its brand-new Caribbean Spiced; the brand’s first premium aged rum that blends spices with coconut, pineapple, and coconut blossom. This is one seriously smooth operator (a bit like your dad), and goes great in classic cocktails such as daiquiri or piña colada but to be honest, is smooth enough to be sipped on ice. Available from Tesco (£21).
Mijenta Tequila Reposado
This aged version of Mijenta tequila is new to the brand’s range, and manages to be both rich and light in flavour at once, with a honeyed finish that rounds the drink off beautifully. Think of this as an alternative to whisky, and you’re in the right ballpark, for it’s as sip-able as its Scottish cousin. Mijenta’s production comes with a commitment to environmental sustainability – the label and box are made from agave waste and the organisation actively supports local businesses and communities by purchasing all packaging elements from Mexico. Available from Whisky Exchange (£58.75).
It’s a bottle of booze, yes, but it’s also more than that too. Named after Nigerian-born abolitionist and freedom fighter Olaudah Equiano, this rum celebrates the man’s life. The founders of Equiano rum proudly pledge 5% of their global company profits and £2 of every bottle sold through their website to ground level freedom and equality organisations each year. On a mission to redefine a four-century-old industry, the brand have created the world’s first African and Caribbean rum by creating unique blends. The original expression is an incredibly smooth drink, with notes of raisins, brown sugar and sweet pepper. Available from Equiano Rum Co. (£49.95).
The Wine List’s wine by the glass subscription
Most wine subscriptions are by the bottle, but chic wine education start-up The Wine List’s new offering lets enthusiasts try wines from lesser-known grapes, regions and winemakers by the glass instead. He’ll receive three pouches of interesting wine via the letterbox each month – from a chillable Italian red to a natural chardonnay from the Czech Republic – with tasting notes, plus access to The Wine List’s home learning course and virtual tastings. Available from, The Wine List (for £19 per month).
The Beer Hawk “Cheers Dad” box
Want to say cheers to the dad in your life? We bet you do. The Beer Hawk “Cheers Dad” box is a good value selection box of five beers from different brewers including pale ales and pilsners. He’ll also find a curvy stemmed glass and a snack to sample with the beers, all discreetly packed in a “peek-proof” gift box, meaning all you need to do is wrap it up. Available from the Beer Hawk (£20 (plus delivery of £4.99 for orders under £50)).
Yorkshire whisky may not be as famous as the Scottish produce, but Filey Bay is proof that a beautiful drop can certainly be made across the border. The Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery is up on the North Yorkshire coast, between Bridlington and Scarborough, and the beautiful location certainly informs Yorkshire’s first single malt whisky. The distillery is a field-to-bottle distillery, and the farm has been trialling direct drilling of their barley crop so as to disturb the soil as little as possible. The signature recipe – Flagship – is a soft, fruity whisky with caramel notes and an almost banana style sweetness. If your dad prefers something stronger, the Moscatel and STR finish are spicier and bring more depth and complexity, with the STR being matured in ex Rioja casks. All three are available from Spirit of Yorkshire from £55 for 70cl.
If rum is your father figure’s choice spirit, the Salford Rum Company’s spiced distillation delivers a blend that has hints of nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger, with warm vanilla notes, and a touch of dried fruit about it. It’s so good you can drink it simply on ice, or why not try it in a Dark’n’Stormy or a Storm Chaser. Available from Selfridges (£48.99).
For a tequila connoisseur, the silver tequila from El Sueño is as sophisticated as the drink comes. Definitely not intended for shots, this spirit is created for use in long drinks such as margaritas or to be enjoyed with soda and lime. It has a wonderfully smooth, floral and clean finish with slightly peppery long notes. Made using traditional production methods and natural volcanic spring water in Mexico, it’s a clean, refreshing tipple. Available at El Sueño, £21 for 70cl.
West Berkshire Brewery gift box
Do you know a dad who moans about fancy ‘craft’ beers in small cans with weird, tropical flavours? The excellent West Berkshire brewery has the answer: two 500ml bottles of Good Old Boy, a reassuringly brown, old fashioned English bitter, repackaged as Good Old Dad (see what they did there?), together with a surprisingly stylish pint glass. Available from West Berkshire Brewery (£8.20 plus £5.99 delivery). Subscriptions also available.
X MUSE is a new Scottish vodka, and it’s our pick for a luxury vodka if that’s your dad’s favourite tipple this year. The first blended barley vodka made in Scotland with two types of heritage grain, it’s presented in a beautifully designed bottle sealed with a wax stopper. The spirit’s real credence comes from its flavour, which is rich and extremely clean on the palate. The ideal pick if a martini is your Dad’s favourite. Available from The Whisky Exchange, £55.
If he’s a fan of gin, Isle of Harris is the premium level stuff fit for Father’s Day. The distillers continue to explore the joys of the outer Hebridean island’s indigenous flora. The gin’s refreshing combination of juniper, pine, and the fresh notes of citrus fruits (notably grapefruit) work wonderfully. Local, hand-harvested sugar kelp is one of the botanicals used, and it brings with it a subtle, earthy taste. This complex gin is perfect served with tonic and ice, and a slice of grapefruit. Available from Isle of Harris, £40 for a 70cl bottle.
Looking for a sippable vodka? We’ve found it! Speyside vodka is the kind of smooth, well-rounded spirit that can be enjoyed on ice. Launched in September 2019 in Scotland, it’s created using a two-stage fermentation process with both barley and wheat grains, which bring depth and complexity of flavour. Try it in a highball with a drop of sherry and tonic, or simply with soda and lime. Available from Eight Lands, £37 for a 70cl bottle.
If your dad is a tee totaller, Pentire’s range of non-alcoholic spirits made in Cornwall with coastal botanicals is our pick of the latest alcohol free beverage launches. The drinks are plant based, distilled naturally, and are free from artificial flavourings and sweeteners – so far, so good. There are two flavours: Seaward which is bright, zesty and includes local sea buckthorn and rosemary. Then there’s Adrift, with green notes from rock samphire and sage, it has a distinctly pleasing woody herb aftertaste. We like both served with a little tonic, ice and a sprig of rosemary. Available from Pentire, £26.80 for a 70cl bottle.
A spot on gift, these cocktails are designed by Pritesh Moody. Reliably excellent drinks, with smart packaging (the bottles can be reused for salad dressings or future home-made gifts). The yuzu sour is our top pick. Whisky lovers cocktail collection. Available from World of Zing, £16 (4 x 50ml bottles).