@TheSpiritCellar's Top World Whiskies For Father's Day
- Jun 14, 2015
- 5 min read
Father’s Day is right around the corner so we thought we would follow the entire drinks industries assumption that every Father in all the worlds, within all the universes, love Whisky. And, although they may all be older, wiser and better informed on most things than us little alcohol loving rug rats, we know more about whisky, whiskey, scotch, bourbon and probably gin than they do. Period. Yeah, take that Dad! Have a dram on us.
For a very long time it would be hard for us to argue that some of the best whiskies in the world can be found outside of Scotland, and I’m not really just talking about Ireland or America. So with this in mind, I thought some would like to teach their Fathers a thing or two about the world today and show them that the stinky, smelly Laphroaig they have been enjoying so much maybe isn’t actually the cream of the crop.
Dear Dad,
Please meet the newcomers, the exchange students from around the world that you probably wouldn’t want your daughters to be around!
Much Love,
David
Mackmyra – First Edition (Sweden)
Let’s kick things straight out of the park to begin with a whiskey from Sweden. Eh? Yeah, I know. This is the first edition of whiskey from Sweden’s first whiskey distillery and it rocks. There is way more expensive expressions on the market, but the first edition is a timeless dram that has held well ever since its first release.
This may not appeal to those who like their big, bold and brutal island malts, but if your Dad enjoys something a little lighter then this will become his cup of tea very quickly. Raising the glass to the face gives a quick sensation of apples and pears, with other fruits fighting for a say while a sensation of Werther’s Originals and fresh coffee sits brooding in the background like a dodgy breakfast in the city.
Then it hits your tongue and reminds you of a not so dodgy breakfast. Yup, you guessed it; Honey Nut Cheerios! Clearly the best. But hey, I’m not here to condone drinking whiskey in the morning or to dictate what you do before midday, but this whiskey is easy going, accessible and could be mistaken for something far more regular than a brilliant malt from Sweden. Yeah, it’s from Sweden. Do I need to remind you? Yeah shut the hell up Dad, this is whiskey from Sweden!
Pick up a bottle here.
Penderyn - Dylan Thomas (Wales)
With Scotland holding much of the world’s most sought after whiskey, who would have guessed that Wales would come up trumps with some really great tasting malts? I did. No really, I did.
This is another whiskey that sits itself nicely on the sweeter, more easy going part of the fence. The time it has spent in ex-bourbon barrels (mmmm Bourbon) gives it that beautiful vanilla and caramel character that we all love. The Welsh distillery then slams it into an ex-dry Oloroso Sherry cask which does something very special.
When you get this dram near your nose, an explosion of dried fig or prune envelopes your world with a distinct punch of caramel and fudge wanting to be part of the party. Once you finally get the dram where you want it to be, in your trap, it’s very well balanced and just what you expect. No alcohol is evident and it is a great malt to have over ice. Over ice?! Yeah Dad, over ice. You heard.
The little Welsh distiller has done it again with this one. This comes highly recommended. Initially your Dad won’t like it that you bought this for him, but he will be buying another bottle before the end of the year.
Pick up a bottle here.
Sullivan’s Cove – French Oak Cask (Australia)
Well, I thought I would include something here that is a little rare and maybe at the higher point of your price range. And, of course, we all love the underdog that came out on top eh? This whiskey is like the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, but 47.5% more.
Luckily I don’t need to drivel on too much about this one as it won ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Award in 2014. Yeah that’s a big middle finger to the kilts! In the same year it won three other awards that where a little closer to home, two of which from the Wizards of Whisky; and we all love Wizards, and whisky actually. That makes it a top award.
The French oak expression that I was lucky to taste late last year, is a dark and aggressive single malt showing chocolaty peppery and almost shirazy (yeah, that’s not a word) mirage of flavours. Once you have finished your dram, which will not have touched the sides I’m sure, it will bring back memories of maltloaf and fruitcake, begging you for just one more. One more? Yeah right. Be careful Dad, you have work tomorrow!
This will make your Dad understand that that tuition fee really was worth it in the end.
Pick up a bottle here.
Nikka Whisky - From The Barrel (Japan)
It is no news that the Japanese have been kicking the Scottish Whisky distillers in the balls for the last few years in blind tastings. So I won’t bang on about that, but after the last pricy malt from Australia, I thought I would show you something that is incredible value for money.
‘Whisky from the barrel’ clocks in at a whopping 51.4% and as any good tin of Ronseal will do… well you know the rest, actually maybe you don’t. Well, it goes all Bruce Lee and woops your ass! Although it has a big punch of alcohol, this malt shows off a very well balanced liquid with a touch of wood, citrus fruit and lavender. Oh you know what…. Blah blah blah! This is one of my favourite whiskies ever so if you have got this far through my guide then I probably don’t need to go on to much. I would advise to get your dad this, he’ll love you more for it.
Pick up a bottle here.
Amrut – Fusion (India)
India drinks more whiskey than anyone if you look at consumption figures. But sadly most of what they produce is actually made from molasses so, really, it’s not whiskey. But hey, that’s an argument for another day. I have chosen Amrut because it stands up well to the competition, better than most from around the world.
Their Fusion expression is distilled from barley from both Scotland and India, which is a story that plays well to their heritage. There is an essence of fruit that blends well with a surprising amount of peat that shines through when you lift the glass to your mouth. This is bottled at 50% so don’t expect something too easy going. Add a drop of water to get all the benefits as ice clouds more of the subtle chocolate and coffee flavours that are so evident in the entire range.
In 2010 Jim Murray named it his third best. Yeah, Jim Murray: “Legend”!
This one may not be favourable by all but it’s a nice little shocker that could make your Dad think you are open to more ideas.
Pick up a bottle here.
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