On the grapevine
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... TOP TIPPLES FOR FATHER’S DAY GIFTS
DADS aren’t always the easiest to please. But if you tailor a tipple to suit his taste, add just the right measure of thoughtfulness, and stir in some love, you’ll be off to a flying start.
Whether you go for a fine vintage, some frothy bubbles or a bloomin’ good beer, there’s plenty to choose from in the elbow-bending gifts department.
Take your pick from one of these...
Beer Hawk, Cheers Dad, Beer Box,
(£20, Beer Hawk) Brew Hawk has his taste in craft beer covered. It contains Thornbridge Brewery’s Lukas, Magic
Rock Brewing’s Saucery, Camden Town Brewery’s
Hells, Tiny Rebel
Brewing’s Clwb Tropica IPA and Wild Beer Co’s Pogo. They’ve even thrown in a beer snack and branded glass.
Taittinger Brut NV Champagne & Glasses Gift Set (£50, John Lewis)
If a glass of bubbly brings a sparkle to his eye, Taittinger’s signature style will delight the most discerning dad. Its bottle age (more than twice the minimum) gives depth, complexity and seduces with beguiling, biscuity florals, creamy palate of fresh citrus fruits and delicate, clean finish.
Chateau La Clariere and Accessories Gift Set (£35, Laithwaite’s) Claret fit for a king, this precious cargo contains an awardwinning Bordeaux from a blockbuster 2016 vintage, and while it’s ready to drink now, it will reward with cellaring. But if dad can’t wait, expect gloriously ripe blackberry and vanilla spiced fruits, laced with cassis and silky tannins.
Spirited Union Spice & Sea Salt Rum, 70cl (£37.95, Master of Malt) Rum is enjoying a revival and to channel the warmth of the Caribbean sun, not to mention a taste of the region’s sweet-spicy cuisine, he’ll love putting his feet up and settling into this cask-aged Barbados rum. Here, Anana salt (prized by gourmands) plays a pivotal role and complements the sweet, spicy notes of this decadent dark rum.
The Balvenie
12-Year-Old DoubleWood, 70cl
(£39.95, The Whisky Exchange) Why not double dad’s pleasure with a ‘doublewood’ whisky matured in two distinct casks?
As soon as he pulls the stopper on this Speyside single malt he’ll appreciate the warm, woody, spicy notes. Matured in bourbon barrels and finished in sherry casks, it’s rich and complex with layers of vanilla spice, honeyed fruits, a nutty sweetness and long, spicy, spellbinding finish.