Father's day 2020: 18 whisky, beer and gin gift ideas to toast Dad this month

There's still time to buy dad a great drinks gift this year, with our pick of the best Scottish spirits and beers.

Published 15th Jun 2020
Updated 21 st Sep 2023

With Father's Day fast approaching (Sunday 21 June) we take a look at some drinks gift ideas to raise a glass to Dad this month.

From celebratory whiskies to a G&T enjoyed with a good book and some low and no alcohol options, there's something for all tastes - and each is available online for home delivery.

Whisky gift ideas

Elixir Distillers virtual tasting

father's day

For Father’s Day 2020, Elixir Distillers has created a special tasting pack - ideal for a few drinks enjoyed at home.

The pack (priced at £34.95) includes six 3cl bottles of whiskies from the Elixir Distiller brands - Port Askaig, Elements of Islay and Single Malts of Scotland.

Every purchase comes with a special code to join a virtual tasting of the set with head blender at Elixir Distillers, Oliver Chilton, which will take place on Saturday 27th June 7.30pm. The tasting will also be broadcast on Elixir Distillers’ Facebook page for those who would rather watch there.

Glenfiddich Grand Cru

father's day

Treat your Dad to something special with a bottle of Glenfiddich Grand Cru -  a 23 year old single malt, which has been aged in American and European oak casks before being finished in French oak cuvée wine casks for up to six months.

The recently released expression from the world’s most awarded single malt scotch whisky, Glenfiddich Grand Cru blends together the finest flavours from Scotland and France to create a true taste of luxury, and a special gift this father's day.

Bottled at 40% ABV, the whisky is presented in Glenfiddich’s iconic shaped bottled and comes housed in a rotating black and gold box.

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Grand Cru is the only Glenfiddich Single Malt whisky to undergo this finishing in French cuvée casks, which once contained the liquid that goes on to become some of the world’s most celebrated sparkling wines.

Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador, Mark Thomson, said: “Glenfiddich is passionate about pushing the boundaries of Scotch whisky and this bottle steps outside of our world to create a liquid with exquisite flavour.

"As Father’s Day approaches, Grand Cru offers a gift with impeccable taste, and a sophisticated choice to share with a loved one, pairing effortlessly with caviar or seafood to complement an evening in.”

Glenfiddich Grand Cru is available for purchase online for £220 (70cl). Select retailers include The Whisky Shop, The Whisky World, Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange.

Tobermory 12

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Charles Maclean and sons release limited edition Ardnamurchan whisky in aid of clean water charity 

Bottled to mark the relaunch of the Tobermory Distillery in March 2019, this is a special signature expression from the Isle of Mull.

Aged in American oak casks for 12 years, Tobermory 12 has a palette of vibrant fruit and spice with a subtle saltiness reflective of the harbour waters of Tobermory.

The colourful bottle and box makes this an ideal gift for whisky lovers this Father’s Day - priced at £46.

The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 Year Old

father's day

Crowned ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 Years took home the top prize for all whisky, making this one an ideal gift for the world's best Dad.

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This expression, which has an RRP of £73, offers deep notes of dark fruits, rich chocolate and manuka honey with a memorable finish.

The GlenDronach is a richly-sherried and characterful dram, produced in the Highland region of Scotland.

Glengoyne virtual tasting

father's day

Just in time for Father’s Day, Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced the launch of a new virtual tour and tasting experience, ideal for those looking to share in something special together, even while apart.

The tour will delve into the rich history of Glengoyne Distillery and its uniquely unhurried approach to whisky making, as well as offering a virtual live tasting of four distinct drams of Glengoyne Highland Single Malt.

Each tour will last one hour, guided by the expert distillery team, and can be booked as part of a group or private experience.

Those purchasing the experience will receive a sampling kit delivered to their home containing a whisky glass, 5cl bottles of 10, 12 and 18-year-old malts and a special mystery dram that will be revealed during the tasting.

As well as the opportunity to interact with the team and ask questions throughout the session, those joining the session will also receive custom Zoom backgrounds of Glengoyne Distillery to help create a more immersive experience.

The tours start at just £35 per person and can be purchased online through the website.

Those looking for a truly bespoke experience can also enquire about entirely private and tailored sessions through reception@glengoyne.com. Prices will vary depending on requirements.

BenRiach Sherry Wood Aged 12 Years

father's day

With flavours of cocoa, sweet macaroons, floral oak and dried berries, BenRiach Aged 12 Years is a whisky with a depth of flavour, making it an ideal whisky for Dads to sip and savour this Father’s Day - RRP £43.

It is also a double gold winner at San Francisco Awards 2019.

Glenglassaugh Octaves Peated Batch 2

Father's Day

Shaped by land and sea, The Glenglassaugh Octaves Batch 2 Peated embraces the traditional addition of peat smoke in the craft of making this whisky, which has been matured in bourbon, port and sherry casks - RRP £65.

It also won double gold at San Francisco Awards 2019.

Jura Journey

father's day

If your Dad is a fan of island whiskies then a dram from Jura is an ideal gift.

Part of the signature series, Jura Journey has been matured in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels

On the nose it has aromas of vanilla space, citrus and a hint of light smoke and the team describe the taste as: cinnamon, pears, pecans and toffee fudge.

Jura is an iconic name in whisky as it is created on its namesake island, situated off the west coast of Scotland, and home to roughly 212 people.

Jura Journey is available online for home delivery priced at £35.

Glen Orchy 5 Year Blended Malt 

Pick up an affordable whisky gift for your dad this father's day at Lidl.

The supermarket's Glen Orchy 5 year old blended whisky is £15.49 (70cl, 40% ABV) and combines a soft sweetness with fruity flavours and a warming hint of spice.

Talisker Skye gift set

This Father’s Day, the Talisker hip flask gift pack an ideal present for whisky loving dads'.

It contains a 700ml bottle of Talisker Skye and a metal Talisker hip flask - perfect for taking a dram on the go.

Talisker Skye is made from a combination of hand selected, toasted and refilled American oak casks, and the well rounded flavour profile consists of smoky sweet hints, a dash of fresh citrus, peppery spice and maritime.

Pick up the gift set, priced at £54.99, here.

 

Gin gift ideas

If you're Dad is a fan of gin, then why not treat him to one of these Scottish gins this father's day?

Edinburgh Gin gift set

father's day

Edinburgh Gin have partnered with Penguin Books to create a limited-edition Father’s Day gift – a classic gin, and a timeless book.

For a limited time, Edinburgh Gin’s award-winning ‘Classic’ London-dry gin (70cl) will be available to buy alongside a hardback copy of a time-honoured novel from Penguin’s Clothbound Classics collection – with a choice of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or Robinson Crusoe.

The gift set is priced at £40 and available online now.

Edinburgh Gin’s classic London Dry style gin, bottled at 43% ABV, has a unique blend of botanicals, giving it a zesty and refreshingly crisp taste.

It’s an ideal base for G&Ts or in classic gin cocktails such as Martinis, Negronis and Gimlets, making it the perfect tipple for dads to enjoy over a good book.

Neil Boyd, UK managing director of Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “Edinburgh Gin is thrilled to be working with our friends at Penguin Books to celebrate all those timeless dads out there - those who would appreciate nothing more than enjoying a great book with a delicious drink in hand this Father’s Day.

“Our popular, classic London Dry is sure to be the perfect addition to their home bar and the charming Penguin Clothbound Classic edition will certainly take pride of place on his bookshelf.

“So, here’s to all those fantastic fathers out there – we’re raising a glass to you.”

FIFTY/50/GIN

father's day

Back in 2018 a Renfrew based whisky firm tapped into the gin market by launching a unique blend which combines what’s believed to be the oldest cask aged gin in the world with a newer spirit gin.

The House of MacDuff’s ‘FIFTY/50/GIN’ contains gin that has been matured in virgin oak casks for ten years before being finished in ex whisky barrels - making this a perfect gift for dads' that enjoy both gin and whisky.

FIFTY/50/GIN is priced at £55 and is available to buy here.

Biggar Gin

father's day

This small, family owned business based just outside Biggar has recently launched their navy strength gin.

Biggar Gin was started in 2018 with their original recipe gin, which was the Gin Guide’s winner of the global and UK London Dry Gin categories in that year, and remains very popular.

Last year the team launched a sophisticated, dry flavoured gin using plums from orchards in the neighbouring Clyde Valley.

All our gins from Biggar use a number of local botanicals, some of which are grown on site.

The new navy strength gin - Biggar Strength launched a few weeks ago and is 57% ABV - priced at £43.

Euan McVicar, director of The Biggar Gin Company Limited explains the name behind this new gin: "Our latest gin to be launched is a navy strength gin.

"As Biggar is about as far from the sea as you can get in Scotland we have avoided giving it a maritime name and it will be simply known as Biggar Strength.

"The gin draws strength and flavour from the humble hawthorn berry - a new botanical for us but one which we are growing here on our own trees. Incidentally the Greek for hawthorn comes from the Greek word for strong."

Ben Lomond flavoured gins

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Ben Lomond Gin has released its first flavoured gins - and they're ideal for dads' that enjoy a fruity gin cocktail.

Launched on 12th June, the new Ben Lomond flavoured gins – Raspberry & Elderflower and Blackberry & Gooseberry – are the latest creations from the distillery following the success of its premium London Dry-style Gin, released last year.

Inspired by the landscape and beauty of Ben Lomond, the team worked with a local forager to draw inspiration from the wild botanicals, vibrant berries and florals found within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs region.

Available online now, the news gins are priced at £23.50.

Pickering's Gin

father's day

Pickering's Gin has launched a limited edition Scottish set just in time for father's day.

The set contains: Pickering's Gin with Scottish Botanicals (RRP: £20.00), Pickering's Islay Oak Aged Gin (RRP: 25.00), 3 x Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and 3 x Fever-Tree Ginger Ale all for £35, including shipping.

 

Beer gift ideas

If your dad is more of a fan of beer than spirits, then these Scottish beers - including a low and no alcohol options - will make great gifts.

Eden Mill beer bundles

father's day

Perfect for dads who are missing their local pub, craft distillers and brewers Eden Mill have introduced a range of gift set bundles especially for Father’s Day.

Featuring Eden Brewery Beers, Eden Mill’s original Oak Gin, the Eden Mill 2019 release Single Malt Whisky and a range of Eden Mill glassware, the Bring the Pub to Dad bundle is £80 (down from £101) and is perfect if you’re looking for a something a little extra special.

If your budget is a bit smaller, there are a range of other bundles available such as a selection of four Eden Brewery beers with an Eden Mill glass for £15.

To find out more and buy, please visit the Eden Mill website.

Genius light lager

Gen!us Craft Lager

The UK’s first light craft lager, Gen!us was launched in 2018 with a mission to make healthier drinking a pleasure, not a compromise.

Brewed with the finest pilsner malts and three hop varieties, Gen!us is 3% ABV and 79kcal per can – less than an apple.

The processes in making the light beer are vegan-friendly – meaning those following a plant based diet can enjoy it too.

Genius light lager was recently introduced to Spar stores in Scotland making this a convenient gift for dads' who are looking for something lighter this father's day.

Jump Ship Brewing Yardarm lager

father's day

 

Lat year, Edinburgh-based Jump Ship brewing company launched a crowd-funding campaign to produce its first non-alcoholic beer on a commercial scale.

Founder Sonja Mitchell created the beer after finding that, after having three children, her tolerance to deal with hangovers was not what it used to be.

Now Yardarm Lager is available to buy online and is brewed in small batches using natural brewing techniques combining barley, hops and yeast with soft Scottish water, to create the flavour with minimal alcohol.

The beer is gluten-free, vegan and lower in calories than standard beers - ideal for a father's day gift to those who are cutting down their alcohol intake but still fancy a beer.

Other drinks

Liv Rums

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One of Scotland’s fastest growing micro-distilleries has unveiled its innovative new rum collection, Liv Rum - and they're ideal for rum loving dads' this father's day.

Hand-crafted by family-owned spirits business, Matugga Distillers, the new Liv Rum range includes two award-winning white rums - Pot Distilled White Rum (42.5% ABV) and Navy Strength White Rum (57.5% ABV) - and a Black Spiced Rum (40% ABV) infused with Scottish heather.

Liv Rum’s core range of three rums, priced from £25.99, can be ordered online for home delivery.

Scottish Italian Vermouth

Vermouth

If your dad is a fan of a classic cocktail then a Scottish vermouth could be an ideal drinks gift this father's day.

Made by Tait Bros.’, Valentian Vermouth is a new super-premium drink that is made by marrying Scottish new make malt spirit, Italian white wine and botanicals cultivated in both countries.

The team at Tait Bros.’ say that the Valentian Vermouth Rosso drink is “a sweet red expression, full bodied and fruity but with elements of citrus and herbs.”

Botanicals used in this include: rhubarb, bergamot, liquorice root, gentian root, ginger, three varieties of wormwood, sweet and bitter orange, laurel, sage and cinnamon.

Valentian Vermouth Rosso is available from a selection of bars and independent retailers from £28.50.

 

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Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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