The Nine Best Bottles Of Spirits For Father’s Day

Actor Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr, aka Magneto in a scene from the film 'X-Men: First ... [+] Class', 2011. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images)

Too often, Father's Day takes a back seat to life's inherent chaos. School has just gotten out, summer is in full bloom, vacation season is ramping up, and Mother's Day just happened. So, most people just run to the store to grab the first greeting card and gift they see, figuring that Dad will understand. It sounds cliched, but too often, it's true.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Instead, you can present the father in your life with an award-winning bottle of his favorite spirit that will leave him smiling long after his day is over and done. If you're lucky, he might even crack it open and share a sip with you as you swap stories.

To help you find the best bottles possible, we looked to the most prestigious spirits competitions in the world. Every bottle listed here was ranked as the best in their respective category. Several won Best in Show awards. Any one of these would instantly upgrade a home bar and should show your dad/Husband how much you appreciate all the work he has put in.

Whiskey

John B 10 Year Old Single Malt

Hailing from the Netherlands, of all places, this 10-Year-Old Single Malt absolutely wowed the panel at the 2022 USA Spirits Ratings competition. It won the Spirit and Whiskey of the Year awards, landing 97 out of 100 points. Made from certified organic barley malt grown in the Netherlands, it was explicitly created for whisky connoisseurs and is certified organic. Aged for ten years in American white oak barrels, the judges specifically noted its rounded mouthfeel and sweet flavors.

The Representative

If the father in your life loves bourbon, then look no further than The Representative. It was recently named the World's Best Bourbon at the World Whiskey Awards. Made by industry heavyweight Dave Schmier, this small batch of bourbon is blended to perfection with a mash bill that perfectly mixes the spice of rye with the sweetness of its corn. The judges at the event called out its complex flavors and perfect balance that linger long after each sip.

Loch Lomond Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

As one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland, Loch Lomond has been practicing its craft for over two hundred years. In that time, they have perfected the complexities of the smokey and earthiness that defines an ideal Single Malt Scotch. The liquid is aged twelve years in three different types of oak-bourbon, refill, and recharred. It is then blended to deliver a balanced flavor that has won numerous awards. Its latest was being named the Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskey under 15 years of age at the International Wine and Spirits Competition.

Gin

Downpour Scottish Dry Gin

If there is one thing the British know, it's their gin, so when the London Spirits Competition named Downpour Scottish Dry Gin their Spirit of the Year for 2023, you know it must be unique. Made with local ingredients on the small island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, it is produced by a husband and wife team that grew up on the island. Awarded 98 points, it beat out over 2,000 entries to win the top prize. The judges praised its juniper, spice, and citrus flavors and well-rounded texture.

Peter in Florence London Dry Gin

The Bartender Spirit Awards were created to give the people behind the bar, who mix drinks daily, a chance to name their favorite bottles. A prestigious group of mixologists chose Peter in Florence as their Spirit of the Year, illuminating the global spread of high-quality gin. Distilled in Italy, its distilled using 19th-century methods, and its recipe focuses on the Iris flower, an ancient motif of Florence, along with fourteen other distinct botanicals to deliver superior flavors.

Tequila

Cierto Tequila Reserve Collection Extra Anjeo

Rarely does a new spirit launch make as much noise as Cierto Tequila. Less than a year old, this brand has been picking up awards at every significant global competition over the last few months. Their portfolio of eight tequilas is additive-free and designed to disrupt one of the hottest spirits spaces; they have succeeded. Their Reserve Collection Extra Añejo was named best of class at the SIP Awards and a finalist for the same award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Smoky and spicy, it is an ideal sipper.

Rum

Amrut Old Port Rum

From Bangalore, India, Amrut Rum is made with 100% Indian cane sugar and has been picking up awards for years. The distillery sits 3,000 feet above sea level and uses waters from the Himalayan Mountains. Their Old Port Rum is a complex bottle aged in a mixture of old whiskey and new oak barrels in the tropical heat. This results in an exciting rum with hints of fine bourbon and the deep molasses flavors of classic Caribbean rums. It was named the Best Rum and Best Value Spirit of the Year at the Bartender Spirt Awards.

Vodka

Detroit 8 Mile Vodka

Hailing from the Motor City, Detroit 8 Mile Vodka took home Best in Class Overall Vodka at the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Crafted by two sets of brothers, they use Michigan grains and distill in single 90-liter batches for optimal quality control and care. It's then carbon filtered and aerated, producing a smooth vodka noted for its exceptional smoothness and flavors.

Liqueur

Ryan's Irish Style Cream

It never hurts to have a good bottle of liqueur sitting around the house, especially one that can spice up a cup of coffee, top some ice cream, or seamlessly blend into various mixed drinks. Ryan's Irish Style Cream is from industry heavyweight Sazerac and has multiple accolades. Its most recent was being named the Best in Show 2nd Place at the Denver International Spirits Competition, where it was the only liqueur to take home a Best in Show award.