Father’s Day...

What do you get dad? Usually I got him things that he wouldn’t buy himself, and in this post I’ll concentrate on spirits he might have enjoyed. My Dad had 3 go-to drinks: Rum and Coke, Rye and Coke, or 50 (a Canadian beer, more on that another time) in each case the rum and the rye were middle of the road or lower. He never splurged or saw the need to buy anything more than what would make do.

If your dad is the same, how about adding a little splash to the day and getting him something that is higher up the ladder than his regular brand.

So here we go (in no particular order):

40 Creek Whisky
Here’s the thing, I could wax poetic all day long about this great Canadian Whisky. How smooth it is, how incredible the flavour (yes flavour with a ‘u’, it’s from Canada after all). I could even tell you about the way it is hand crafted in small batches using very unique methods: each grain is distilled separately, then barrel aged separately, only melding together at the end before a final finish in sherry casks. Maybe I could tell you that maker John Hall made sherry himself so that he could age it in oak casks - so those casks could then be used for the whisky.
Or I could just let whisky maker John Hall explain 40 creek whisky himself.

Woodford Reserve Boubon
Bourbon, not really a mixing drink and perhaps miles away from the Rye dad would usually drink, but hey isn’t that the point? This Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a particularly fine example of what’s out there, it’s triple distilled in copper pot stills and aged in new American Oak Barrels. The Woodford Reserve Distillery dates back to 1838 and is set in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky.
On second thought, why just buy your dad a bottle of bourbon when you could take him on the Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour? Don’t have time for the tour? Le Gourmet TV took it for you and you watch the video tour here.

Hendrick’s Gin
Gin is not my fathers drink, but Father’s Day is in summer, and a great summer drink is Gin... in my opinion a solid gin is Hendrick’s. Infused with cucumber and rose petals this is fabulous for all sorts of mixed drinks. Watch as global brand ambassador Xavier Padovani tells us what sets this gin apart and he mixes us a Hendrick’s Martini.










Tommy Bahama Rum
White or Golden rum? What’s your poison, why not try something a bit different and get both? These two rums will please those who like to pull something a bit different out from behind the bar once in a while. White Sand is great for mixing, while Golden Sun makes for a nice sippin’ rum as the sun sets over the lake with you sitting at the end of the dock listening to the waves lapping at your boat. Well that’s what I’d do if I could get up to the cottage once in a while. No video about these yet, but we’re working on it.







Appleton Estate Rum
Distilling and blending rum since 1749, it has to be good doesn’t it? Yes it is, and the Reserve is a particularly fine example of what Appleton produces. This is a blend of 20 aged rums and is best for sipping, but you could still mix a cocktail or two with it.
This is so good that we’re trying to figure out how to get down to the distillery in Jamaica so we can do a video tour and interview with the master blender.












So get your dad one of these, or hoist one in his memory this Father’s Day.

Tags: spirits, Whisky, Whiskey, Rum, Gin