Non Scotch Whiskies for Dads - She said

SHE SAID:  Well, in my case my dad won’t touch whisky with gloves on, well unless he’s trying to buff up the chrome on the tires with it?! However my father in law is passionate about his collection and it’s as a result of him that I am obsessed (there I admit it) with whisky.  So, we asked George a few months ago what whisky he wanted for Father’s day and to our surprise he didn’t pick a Scotch whisky, he picked an Indian:  Fusion!   I was quite proud of the fact that he did that.  Being part of the Saint John Whisky Tasting Society we follow our mission statement to try ALL whiskies we can get our hands on and for George to step out of the single malts is proof we are doing a great job. 

 A fellow whisky blogger (Matt) recently posted a Guide to Single Malt Scotch Whisky for your dad and I read through it voraciously as I always do their blogs: www.scotchblog.ca  It inspired me to write this one for one simple reason: The old cliché of buying dad the ugliest tie ever for father’s day reminded me that there are some weird and unique whiskies on the market that are not Scotch and that any dad would probably enjoy in his collection.  The wonderful part is that non traditional whiskies are becoming mainstream and getting noticed on the international market.  So thanks Matt, I love blogs that inspire me to think outside the box and I hope this compliments your list of recommended Single Malts:

Under $50

BUFFALO TRACE:  How could you not ensure good ol' dad has a good USA Bourbon in his collection:  Run out and get this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey TODAY!  It's about $40 CAN, available across Canada (limited availability at LCBO) but I guarantee this is a fantastic sipping Bourbon that is great on ice or with a pulled pork sandwich (I hear it's great with a cigar too!) 

BUSHMILLS BLACK BUSH:  Ok, I’m a bit biased when it comes to this one, but I assure you that it is a smooth, triple distilled light summer whiskey.  It’s the only one I’ll drink over a handful of crushed ice.  Anyone I’ve recommended it to has automatically added it to their collection after they tried it.  This decent Irish whiskey is about  $35/bottle.  How could you not afford to get one, really?  No collection is complete without a good Irish on hand.  Highly recommend getting this one as a great intro to all things Irish.

Under $75

MACKMYRA 1^st EDITION:  OH!  I cannot stress how impressive this Swedish Whisky is?  It’s young, fresh, lively and absolutely delightful.  If you can get your hands on this, GET TWO BOTTLES – One for him and one for you.  When it’s gone, chances are it will no longer be available.  LCBO has it in limited supply, and I believe also available in BC.  I managed to have a friend who was travelling from Toronto bring me three (YES 3) bottles home.  It’s a $66.00 bottle of whisky that screams flavour and beats Speysides hands down!

AMRUT FUSION:  Welcome to India and its highly rated whisky! (97 points from the Whisky Bible).  Winner of many awards and great dram in the fall or spring.  Heavy enough with a hint of peat, smoke and spice.  Absolutely delicious.  I’ve gone through 2 bottles letting friends/family try it.  DELISH and another must have to the whisky collection.  Retails somewhere between $65-$75 dollars in Canada.

FORTY CREEK JOHN’S PRIVATE CASK – With a name like that, it sounds special and it is.  Forty Creek is THE Canadian Whisky to add to his collection.  Why?  Because it’s unique and is winning international acclaim with every new release.  Read Whisky Advocate or other blogs about it and see for yourself: It’s not your “dad’s” Rye whisky and that’s why he should have it.  This is another bragging bottle to have as far as I’m concerned.  It retails about $70.00, in limited edition across Canada.  Get a bottle if you can!

Under $100

NIKKA YOICHI 10 YEAR OLD:  If Dad likes peaty and different, than this one is clearly something to try.  Done in Scottish style, bottled at 45% and a great introductory to Japanese whiskies.  Which by the way in case you’ve been living under a rock, are winning every possible award the last few years.  This distillery is tops on my list of “non-Scotch” whiskies to have and if you want to impress your Dad and listen to him brag to friends that he has a Japanese in his collection, this is the one I would recommend he starts with.  About $85.00/bottle, available in Ontario, Alberta, BC and in limited quantities in the USA.

PENDERYN SINGLE MALT:  The only Welsh whisky on the market and well worth having in a collection of whiskies.  Why?  Because it’s made in small batches, is making a name for itself internationally and we are lucky enough to be able to get it in Canada.  Many European countries and even in the British Isles, this is a difficult product to keep on the shelves and highly sought after.  Available Calgary, BC and in Ontario, retails about $80-$85 a bottle and another great little quirky but fantastic dram to impress people with.

Over $100

 If you really, really LOVE your dad these are the two I’d recommend:

GREENORE 18 YEAR OLD SINGLE GRAIN WHISKEY:  Back to Ireland we go but for something completely different.  There’s only 4000 bottles of this worldwide and it’s available here in Canada as well as USA.  It’s marketed as the oldest single grain whiskey.  Something wild and weird for the cabinet if you dare to get it for Dad, retails at about $110.00 and is fairly well rated. 

CROWN ROYAL EXTRA RARE:  Yes, the Crown Royal Dad, everybody knows one or has one it seems, well except me but I digress.  If your dad is a Crown Royal fanatic AND you want to be on his good side for the will, by all means find this bottle and give it to him for father’s day.  All the temper tantrums, bad grades, making your mom cry and being a pain in the ass teenager will melt away and you might (MIGHT) see a tear in the corner of his eye.  This will be the crown jewel that says:  Dad, I love ya man and respect you as my father.  (Ok, I’m feeling poetic)  At $180/bottle, it’s expensive but, BUT it will be the bottle your Crown Royal loving father takes out, shows his friends and smiles at every time he pours himself a dram.  Available readily in Ontario, as well as other provinces (sadly not in Atlantic Canada)  

So there you have it, a realm of “non Scottish” whiskies to purchase for your dad if he loves whisky as much as my father in law does.  I hope to hear feedback if you bought any of these on my recommendation.    How’d I do Matt?  hehe

On the father’s day tour of the whisky trail, I walk between my father and father in law. 

Happy father’s day Edmond Gagnon and George MacKenney.  Thank you both for giving me the pleasure of being your “daughter”  J

Johanne