Father’s Day is a reminder for me of how much the culture of parenting has changed since I was actively subjected to it. Our parents worked hard, but when they were off the clock we had their full attention. We roamed the neighborhood free and independent.
As a discipline, parenting has taken a cultural beating. Yet if we are looking for constants, whiskey remains a thing that is as it was for our fathers and their fathers before them. Small aspects may change, but whiskey for me is a comfort across generations, a reminder that certain things require no apps, can’t send you push notifications, and they definitely can’t be solved by an AI chatbot.
As Father’s Day approaches, we’re getting into the period where, if you’re not careful, you’ll be sourcing gifts from the convenience store. Of course your favorite distillery has got you covered, with our ultimate collection of gifts for him. And because every Dad is a little different, we’ve put together a little field guide to help you with finding that perfect gift.
Which Dad sounds like yours?
The Polymath
He has vinyl in many genres, canonical books in multiple disciplines. He even has cookbooks of a diversity of cuisines.
Try our new Signature Gift Set. With our Straight Bourbon, Peated Bourbon, and Empire Rye, this is 3 classic whiskeys that will appeal to the most discerning and voracious palates.
The Completist
He already has a collection of whiskeys but is constantly looking for the missing link.
For someone with all the kinds of whiskeys, there’s a good chance our newest offering, Barrel Strength Peated Bourbon, might be something still needed to complete the set. It’s a rare whiskey that walks between traditions, and something few have pulled off in quite the way that we have, not as an experiment or novelty, but as a signature spirit.
The Purist
He knows exactly how he likes his pour, keeps a meticulously curated home bar with perfect examples of each spirit, and talks about mash bills more than politics or sports.
Our award-winning Straight Bourbon offers a classic, rich, and essential for any top shelf. Pair it with a copy of The Bourbon Drinker's Companion so he can analyze his pour like a pro.
The Tinkerer
If it can be taken apart, built from scratch, or aged in a garage, he’s on it. He loves the process just as much as the end result.
Part craft project, part home bar essential, our Whiskey Aging Kit makes the perfect gift for the Dad who wants a gift he can make, not just drink.
The Contrarian
A drinker who prefers Japanese whiskey to scotch, tri-tip to brisket, and jazz over classical—the contrarian is ready to dispute the received ideas (and there are a lot of received ideas when it comes to bourbon).
The contrarian may be a fan of our Straight Empire Rye, at once both classical but novel, traditional yet the leading edge of craft culture. This is a rye that continues to win awards against commercial distillers large and small, and in an era of multiplicity, that kind of consistency is rare.
The Rebel
He’s bored by most bourbon brands and is always looking for something unique, from rare Italian amari to niche liqueurs. If anyone else is drinking it, he’s moved on.;
Our flavored whiskeys and moonshines blend unique and punchy flavors with true craft quality. We recommend our Coffee Whiskey for something that will definitely take him by surprise.
The Minimalist
He claims he "doesn't need anything." He hates clutter, values experiences over things, and just wants to spend some quality time together.
For this Dad, why not bring him down to the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard to walk through our 127-year-old Paymaster Building and see the copper stills in action. Plus, Dads tour for FREE all Father's Day weekend (Sat & Sun) when you book using the code FATHERSDAY26 at checkout.
And if you live too far away to visit, our Moonshine is a minimalist’s dream: whiskey unadulterated by time, the purest expression of the still.
The Epicurian
Not content to be merely a gastronomist, the epicurean is interested in the culture and meaning of food and drink. He will give you the tea on San Marzano tomatoes, a sourdough starter, and tips on composting.
Try out our American Single Malt, a whiskey that represents a return to old world tradition in almost every way, and the continuation of a conversation begun centuries ago.
The Indecisive
He stands in the liquor aisle for twenty minutes, reads every label twice, and still asks you to just pick something for him. He wants to try it all.
Our Core Gift Set offers a curated lineup of our flagship flavors in handy 200ml bottles, he can finally try all the bottles he’s been eyeing.
A Quiet Ritual
With so many types of Dads, we’re glad to offer many types of whiskeys.
I remain glad that I have whiskey as a quotidian comfort. Like fatherhood, it usually comes later in life, with a certain amount of wisdom and accrued maturity.
There is nothing quite like a glass of barrel-proof bourbon, over ice, after the kids are sleeping. As a dad, it’s a reminder that in spite of a working world that asks for too much, and a family that inevitably asks for everything else, there is always a way to stop and count the blessings of the day, look to the next one, and count all the joys that have assembled to make this one possible.
So cheers to the dads, and cheers to more days (and more whiskey) to come.
