We know you haven’t been putting off buying a nice gift for Dad this week but you’ve been looking for just the right thing to get for Father’s Day. Well, I’ve decided to come up with a list for you consisting of mostly affordable whiskies that will also excite the palette with just a few extra special bottles that will make him love you again.

This list mostly consists of Scotch whisky because it’s so easy to find in South Africa.

7 Father’s Day whiskies

Cardhu 12-Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Have you ever walked into somebody’s home bar or “man-cave” that’s full of leather furniture, wooden shelves, maybe a bar and a wall of whisky? Well, this underrated whisky will remind you and Dad about spending time in a perfect environment like that.  This whisky is specifically very special to me and I hope it does the same for you and your father, grandfather, or whoever represents that for you.

It might not be the richest whisky but when you give it a smell, you’ll find leather, and resin, with hints of honey that drift through your memories and find those special moments. On the palate, it’s like velvet and lingers with the very similar flavours that you’ve found on the nose without much burn, if any due to the 43% ABV.

It finishes with a light and sweet smokiness that’s not overpowering and is perfect for pairing with a light cigar.

Ardbeg AN OA

If your dad is the braai master of the family, loves strong flavours, and likes a challenge, you could probably get him any bottle of Ardbeg. However, the AN OA deserves more love because it’s often compared to the 10-year but often set aside.

The AN OA gets its rounded and complex flavours due to all of the barrels used to provide different complexities.  Matured in a combination of ex-Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks, virgin oak, and ex-Bourbon barrels before being married together in French Oak barrels, you’ve got a flavor-explosion on the cards.

Ardbeg is known for its aggressive smoke but on the nose can become sweet and fruity thanks to the sherry casks. You might also find some sea air on the nose. On the palate, you should be prepared for smoke and pepper but if you spend time with it, can turn into sweeter notes of toffee.

The finish is long and smoky, perfectly paired with anything put on the braai like steaks or smoked pork.

Penderyn Legend

Who doesn’t love dragons, right? If you want to give Dad a cool bottle to display on his shelf while enjoying the delicious liquid in the bottle, Penderyn Legend is not only going to take you on a journey, but he’ll have a very cool bottle to look at and show off.

Not the most challenging or complex whisky, the Legend is a perfect foray into single malt with sweet flavours that can please any palate. It’s a well-balanced nose with hints of raisins and citrus which can take a while to pick up but become prominent later on. The mouthfeel is incredibly smooth with hints of dried raisins.

The finish continues with the raisins and lingers surprisingly long for how light it seems on the taste.

Bushmills Black Bush

What if Dad is an Irish whiskey drinker? If it’s not Jameson, Teeling, or Redbreast, what can you get for a good price with great flavours and a great name?

Bushmills Black Bush brings spice and malt to the nose while adding a layer of sherry after being partly matured in ex-sherry casks. The palate is big and fruity to start‚ quickly becoming light with a hint of spicy fruit. The finish is long and adds hints of biscuits before having another sip.

This whiskey is not very complex but will provide flavours and look to the shelf.

Helden African Bonfire Whisky

Also known as the first true South African whisky, Helden’s African Bonfire forms part of their premium range. Made from indigenous malted red sorghum and malted South African barley, this whisky is distilled to an ultra-smooth and silky spirit, which is cask matured using a combination of French oak and African indigenous Camel Thorn wood.

Not only does it have a beautiful amber colour, but on the nose, you’ll immediately find hints of deep smoke-touched wood and spice. You’ll think that you’re in the Kruger National Park when you smell this whisky. The rich and full-bodied mouth feel carries sweetness along with the distinct malt and wood flavours that elevate the feeling of being on a camping trip.

It has a finish that slowly evolves into a complex combination of thorn tree herbal spice, evoking the sweet, complex aromas of the African bushveld.

Dewar’s 15-year The Monarch

Usually, the age of whisky tends to make the bottle more expensive and is often described as being better because we are affected by what we see. What if a Scotch whisky has a great age statement that looks good on dad’s shelf, but brings loads of flavour too? You get Dewar’s 15-year-old Scotch Whiskey, The Monarch. This expression features whisky drawn from bourbon and sherry casks, married together in yet more casks and bottled at 15 years of age.

On the first whiff, you’ll find light fruits like apples combined with nuts and that iconic sherry aroma. When you have the first sip, you’ll get a rich expression of malt that develops into caramel and/or vanilla paired with the lingering spiciness from the nose.

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12-year-old Scotch Whisky

If dad loves ex-bourbon cask whisky or sherry cask, he’s about to have a great day. The Balvenie DoubleWood Scotch whisky is the perfect age-statement whisky for Father’s Day.

A very approachable whisky for somebody new to whisky or a pour that is just perfect for any occasion, the combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks provides rich sweet vanilla and sherry on the nose. The mouthfeel is butter smooth and approachable on the tongue bringing cinnamon spices, honey, and vanilla as it develops on the palette. The finish brings back all of the sweet sherry notes.

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

Is it time to get something more special for Dad? If there’s a bottle that looks great as a centerpiece of the bar while being the perfect pour for a special occasion, it’s The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve. If Dad is a whisky lover, this is the bottle that will light a fire in his chest. Its complex flavour is perfect for exploration thanks to the range of barrels used; American white oak ex-bourbon casks, Matusalem Oloroso sherry butts, and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques.

The richness already starts on the nose with caramel, coffee, dried fruit, chocolate, and vanilla followed by cinnamon. The mouthfeel is smooth and luxurious with flavours of stone fruit, banana, citrus, and the perfect sherry integration. The finish is long and full of cinnamon and anise spice.

There’s something truly wonderful about buying somebody whisky as a gift. Whether your dad or grandfather loves whisky or if you’re inviting them on the journey with you, any of these whiskies are a great gift to drink or show off in the collection.

Written and Published by Gary Dunn