You spent your entire childhood driving dad to drink. Now you're old enough to buy him a bottle and enjoy a couple of drinks with him.
To toast the man from whose loins you sprung forth, here are a few spirits worthy of the honor.
And because man does not live by drink alone, there are a few edible gifts thrown in as well... stuff dad will love, but would never think of getting himself.
Bols Genever
Before there was Vodka, before there was Gin, there was Genever. Considered the "original white spirit" you can't get much more old school than this centuries-old veteran cocktail ingredient.
Made with juniper berries (gin owes its origins to Genever), blended with maltwine (made by triple-distilling a mash of rye, corn and wheat) and boasting an alcohol content of 42%, Genever has a powerful, complex flavor and unique smooth taste that makes it the ideal cocktail mixer.
Lucas Bols, the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand is re-launching its original 1820's recipe for Bols Genever, and reintroducing some forgotten classics like The Holland House and The Collins. Grab the recipes on their site, mix up a couple for you and dad, and toast to a time when men were as strong as the booze they drank.
www.bolsgenever.com
Corzo Tequila Anejo
Corzo Tequila Anejo is new to the Tequila market, and just like a step-dad, it can't replace the original, only try to honor the memory. Corzo Tequila is deceptively smooth and easy to drink, a mellow tasting Tequila that has been processed to the edge of perfection and ready to compete with some of the more well known brands. Corzo is too new to make you forget about other Tequilas, but it has what it takes to make a lasting impression. Plus, the Frank Lloyd Wright-esque bottle design will stand out on his liquor shelf.
Hint: Put an impressive spin on your gift order, add a personalized, engraved metal label. It won't cost you anything, and will add a touch of class to a gift that says "Thanks for restoring my Mom's faith in men." (If your step-dad is as cool as mine was he'll get a good laugh out of it. Then pour you a glass.)
-- Lincoln Chinnery
$56
www.corzo.com
Vintage Confections
If your dad is a sugar-fiend, make sure to check out the homemade offerings at Vintage Confections. With an assortment that would make Augustus Gloop's jaw drop, you can be sure to find something he'll like. Our personal favorites are the Sunflower and Pistachio Toffee with Milk Chocolate, Double Dipped Pretzel Crisps (in caramel and chocolate), and last but not least
, the Peanut Butter and Jelly Truffles. (Imagine peanut butter cups if Smucker's got involved.) It's enough turn even the hardest-core health nut into a sugar fiend.
-- Kirk Ward
Prices vary
Vintage Confections
Patrón Silver
Say 'Hello' to the Tequila that started a revolution. Before Patrón Silver was introduced in bars across the country, Tequila had worms in it and was best purchased South of the Border. Thankfully, the boys at Patrón decided to upgrade Tequila to a more respectable state. They successfully took Mexico's precious Agave nectar away from the Alpha Beta fraternity crowd and eased it into mainstream drinking culture with style and panache. Also, Patrón set the standard when they coined the term 'Silver' for Tequila, and everyone else is trying to keep up.
A 375-ml bottle of Patrón will cost you about $40 dollars, BUT, if you want to go all out for dad and really make an impression - hit him with a $400 bottle of Gran Patrón Burdeos. It's matured in oak barrels for a little over a year and triple distilled for a smoother than smooth taste. Once your Dad unwraps this bad boy he may forget about that dent you put in his '69 Dodge Charger.
-- LC
www.patronspirits.com
Le Grand Sauces
Imagine an easy to use sauce with a Midas touch, turning every food it touches into a mouthwatering treat. Then imagine it comes in a pouch. That’s what you get with the Le Grand Pesto, Tapenade, and Aromatic Sauce assortment. And with Father’s Day right around the corner, Le Grand is going to be to be a homerun with Pops.
Inspired by both the gourmet quality of European cuisine and the growing trend towards healthy, natural foods, the Le Grand sauces are flavorful without the added sugar or preservatives. The sauces come in 6 varieties and will literally go with everything: crackers, hors d’oeuvres, salad, pasta, chicken, beef... you name it. Our favorite: The Le Grand Sesame & Pink Peppercorn Sauce goes perfect with that medium-rare steak, or try the Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto on pizza for an added bite of flavor.
Bonus points go to Le Grand’s easy, ready-to-use packaging... like a juice box for gourmets... which will leave your Dad less time to fuss around in the kitchen and more time to complain and go out bass fishing with his buddies.
-- Benjamin Mennell
$6.99 a pack
www.maisonlegrand.com
The California Wine Club
If you really want to please the Old Man this Father’s Day, send him a few bottles of wine. Better yet — have the California Wine Club do it for you.
Nothing beats going to the mail box, and finding a wine among the bills and junk mail. Especially when it’s the “Dad’s Dream Weekend” special that features 3 bottles of high-octane, hairy chest red vino. The people at the California Wine Club are not messing around with this deal, and believe me, if your Dad is a fan of big, bold Syrah and Cabernet, this is will be the perfect Father’s Day gift.
The bottles include:
- Sidejob Cellars 2005 C5 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, the perfect “food pairing” varietal, with strong tannins that go well with Dad’s favorite BBQ, pasta or pizza dinner.
- Red Car Wine Company 2006 Speakeasy California Syrah which can be paired with most foods but my advice is to experience it on its own. If John Wayne’s soul was resurrected and embodied in a bottle of wine, this would easily be “Rio Bravo.”
- Martin Ray Winery 2006 LUCCA Paso Robles Red Wine, made from a blend of all kinds of red grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Merlot that pairs well with snacks of any kind, but best with a meatball sandwich. Also delicious companion to stew, roast beef, spaghetti, hamburgers and pizza.
The “Dad’s Dream Weekend “package starts at $89, and if you could ever buy a father’s love, this would be a good way to start.
-- BM
www.cawineclub.com
BaconFreak
We've found an easy way for you to help your dad get porked this Father’s Day, and it doesn’t involve any potential pandering charges. The creators of Bacon Freaks, a company that specializes in all things bacon, are here to push the message that “Bacon is Meat Candy” loud and clear. And nothing says you are glad to be his son like a gift of their fine swine.
Rocco “Boss Hogg” Loosbrock, owner of Bacon Freak’s, offers everything from bacon jerky to bacon lollipops. They even have a Bacon Club that will make sure dad has two packs of gourmet bacon sitting on his doorstep every month.
Touted as the only bacon you can fry naked (not sure anyone needs that visual), Bacon Freak bacon is gourmet in every sense of the word. All of their bacon is made completely by hand and smoked using real wood. Using a centuries-old curing process, they extract nearly all of the water so what you see is what you get... pure bacon beauty.
And with flavors like Cajun, apple cinnamon, honey barbecue, and vanilla bourbon, your dad will probably never go back to that mass-marketed meat again.
-- Bob Lesher
Bacon Club: $40.75
www.baconfreak.com
Seattle’s Best Coffee – Beach House Blend
If your dad is anything like mine, he’s pretty much a vegetable until he has had his first cup of coffee in the morning. He’s also über-picky when it comes to his brewed beverage, making it even harder to get him something he’ll actually drink. No worries. The baristas over at Seattle’s Best Coffee have got you covered with their seasonal roast, Beach House Blend® whole-bean coffee.
This is some seriously good grind that is perfect for either iced or traditional hot recipes. Roasted since 1998, the Beach House Blend is a multifarious menagerie of Latin American beans that produces a crisp coffee with a mild citrus finish and delicate, sweet aroma. Not only can you expect to give your dad one hell of a good cup of Joe, but it won’t leave your wallet as empty as the look in Kim Kardashian’s eyes. You can pick up Beach House Blend and other Seattle’s Best coffees at Seattle’s Best Cafes, your local grocery, and at Cooking.com.
-- BL
$12.95/lb
www.seattlesbest.com