Previous / Next

7 Best Whiskey Gifts for Dad This Father's Day

by Jim Passantino June 1, 2023 5 min read

Quick Answer

The best whiskey gift for dad depends on how he drinks it. If he sips bourbon neat or on the rocks, a cocktail smoker kit adds something new to a familiar pour. If his drink is the Old Fashioned, an Old Fashioned kit with syrup, cherries and orange slices is the easy win. For the dad with a growing collection, think display: a barrel-stave wall shelf or an engraved barrel top. Good glassware is never wasted, and a rare bottle is a treat if the budget allows. Short on time? A digital gift card arrives instantly. Every idea here works just as well for his birthday or the holidays as it does for Father's Day.

Holiday shipping: order by noon Central Time (CST) on December 21 to guarantee delivery by Christmas.

Father's Day offers a wonderful opportunity to express your love and appreciation for your dad. If he happens to be a whiskey aficionado, selecting a gift that caters to his love for this complex spirit is sure to be a hit. Here are seven unique whiskey-related gifts that will make his Father's Day extra special.

List of Whiskey Gifts for Father's Day

1. Rare Bourbon

Gift your dad a bottle of rare and highly sought-after bourbon. Brands like Pappy Van Winkle or Blanton’s create exquisite bourbon, well-known for their sophisticated balance of sweetness and oakiness. It's a delightful treat for a dad who appreciates the robust, full-bodied characteristics of bourbon.

2. Whiskey Cocktail Smoker Set

The Aged and Charred Smoke Lid is a gift that takes whiskey appreciation to the next level, allowing enthusiasts to experiment with flavor profiles and imbue their spirits with a smoky complexity. Ideal for those who love DIY experiments or are eager to broaden their whiskey-tasting horizons, this kit brings a novel and personalized aspect to whiskey enjoyment.

3. Whiskey Glass Set

Whiskey glasses can greatly enhance the tasting experience. Consider getting your dad a set of quality whiskey glasses, such as Glencairn or whiskey tumblers, which are specially designed to accentuate the spirit's aromas and flavors. It's a practical and stylish addition to his barware collection.

4. Whiskey Infusion Kit

A DIY whiskey infusion set makes an engaging project for your dad. Pair a couple of sealable glass jars with flavorings like our Cinnamon Infusion and a few wood chips, and he can create his own flavor profiles. Our guide to infusing whiskey at home walks through the first batch. It is a fantastic gift for a creative dad who loves experimenting.

5. Whiskey Cocktail Syrups

Quality cocktail syrups can elevate a whiskey cocktail to new heights. Brands like Proof or Jack Rudy offer an array of flavors such as old-fashioned, cherry and walnut bitters, or ginger syrup. These syrups can help your dad mix up exciting and delicious whiskey cocktails right at home.

6. Whiskey-Flavored Food

For a dad who's a foodie as well as a whiskey lover, consider gifting whiskey-flavored food items. Whiskey-infused honey, barbecue sauce, or even chocolates can offer a unique culinary experience, combining his love for food and whiskey in a tasty treat.

7. A Whiskey Travel Guide

If your dad dreams of visiting renowned distilleries, a whiskey travel guide could be the perfect gift. Guides like "Lonely Planet's Global Distillery Tour" or "Whiskey Distilleries Scotland: A Visitor's Guide" can provide him with an itinerary of the world’s greatest distilleries, interesting trivia, and more, inspiring his future travel plans.

Match the Gift to the Dad

Full disclosure: the picks below are ours, so we're biased. Use them as a starting point, not a sales pitch.

If your dad...	Try	Why it works
Fires up the grill every weekend	Cocktail Smoker Barrel Kit	Smokes 2 to 4 drinks at once, plus cheese, cured meats and nuts, in an LED-lit oak barrel.
Orders an Old Fashioned everywhere he goes	Ultimate Old Fashioned Kit	Signature Old Fashioned Syrup, Amarena-style cherries and dehydrated orange slices in one box.
Loves a gadget	Electric Cocktail Smoker Kit	An electric smoker with 8 wood chip flavors, cherries, orange slices and syrup included. No torch in the kit.
Is building a collection	Whiskey Wall Shelf or Whiskey Display Barrel Top	The 30-inch barrel-stave shelf holds 9 bottles; the 16-inch engraved oak barrel top spins 360 degrees and organizes 10 bottles or a charcuterie spread.
Drinks it neat, no fuss	Leather Wrapped Rocks Glasses	Four lead-free crystalline rocks glasses wrapped in real leather, in a gift-ready box, wide enough for a big ice cube.
Is impossible to shop for	Aged & Charred Gift Card	Digital, emailed as soon as you check out, and it never expires.

Browse the full range: cocktail smoker kits, Old Fashioned mixes and garnishes, whiskey display and storage and whiskey glasses.

Whiskey gifts aren't just for June. The same ideas work for his birthday and for the holidays, and if you're shopping in the last days of December, the gift card is the one gift that can't arrive late.

Conclusion

From unique drink enhancers to food items and reading material, the best whiskey gift suggestions are geared towards celebrating your dad's love for whiskey this Father's Day. Each gift serves to enrich his whiskey experience and adds a dash of novelty to his whiskey journey. Remember, the best gift is one that signifies your understanding and consideration of his preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you get a dad who loves whiskey but has everything?

Give him something to do or something to show off rather than another bottle. A cocktail smoker kit turns his usual pour into a new experience, and a whiskey wall shelf or engraved display barrel top gives his collection a proper home. For more ideas, see our full list of gifts for whiskey lovers.

What is a good small whiskey gift for dad?

Small does not have to mean forgettable. A four-pack of wood chips for a dad who already smokes his drinks, a set of four whiskey glasses in a gift box, or a 6 oz wood-wrapped flask with a funnel are all easy to wrap and get used often.

Is a cocktail smoker a good gift for dad?

Yes, especially if he drinks bourbon neat, on the rocks or in an Old Fashioned. Most of our kits include the torch and butane, so he can use it the day he opens it, and eight wood chip flavors give him plenty to experiment with. Food and Wine and The Spruce Eats have both named our Cocktail Smoker Kit among their top picks.

What is the last day to order a whiskey gift for dad for Christmas?

Order by noon Central Time (CST) on December 21 to guarantee delivery by Christmas. After that, a digital gift card is the easiest option: it is emailed as soon as you check out.

What is a good last-minute whiskey gift for dad?

A digital gift card. It is emailed as soon as you check out, never expires, and he can spend it on any smoker kit, glasses or Old Fashioned mixes he likes.