David’s Top Spirits Picks for Father’s Day

Let’s be honest—Dad’s going to tell you he doesn’t want anything. What he really means is: “Don’t make me decide.” Forget grill gadgets, novelty socks, or golf lessons. What he actually wants is something that belongs on the top shelf of his bar.

That’s where we come in.

We’ve pulled together a list of the most exciting bottles in the world—many of which are exclusive to us. Whether he’s a bourbon nerd, a mezcal-sipping surfer, or the dad who already has everything, we’ve got the perfect bottle for him at a price that can’t be beat.

FOR THE INTELLECTUAL

Domaine Dupont Pays d'Auge Calvados Fine Reserve (750ml) $23.99 (Elsewhere: $50) This estate-made Calvados is distilled from fully fermented apple cider in the heart of the Pays d’Auge region. Double distilled and aged for a minimum of two years in toasted French oak barrels—half of which are new—it offers a rounded, vibrant profile with notes of apple, pear, vanilla, citrus, and just a hint of earth. A classic expression that’s elegant, fresh, and shockingly affordable.

FOR THE SCOTCH LOVER

Kilkerran (Glengyle) 8 Year Old "Bourbon Cask Matured" 2025 Release Cask Strength Campbeltown Single Malt (700ml) $120.00 Hailing from one of only three active distilleries in Campbeltown, this robust release from Kilkerran (Glengyle) was aged exclusively in ex-Bourbon casks and bottled at 55.6% ABV. Expect hallmark Campbeltown character: oily texture, maritime salinity, vanilla, and a whiff of soft smoke. A bold yet balanced single malt that punches way above its age statement.

FOR THE HORTICULTURALIST

Mater "Blended Cane" Single Farm Pure Sugar Cane Sicilian Rum (700ml) $54.99 Sourced from Alma Distilleria Artigianale—Italy’s only single-estate rum farm—this wild, unaged Sicilian spirit is made from hand-harvested cane and fermented for up to four days before being distilled in a small alembic still. Floral, herbal, saline, and explosively aromatic, it’s a vivid expression of terroir and sustainability. Truly one of Europe’s most exciting new rums.

FOR THE MUSIC LOVER

Old Soul 7 Year Old "Tintype #1" 3rd Release Cask Strength Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $99.99 Made in partnership with the Music Maker Foundation, this bold Mississippi-aged bourbon honors blues icon Captain Luke. Distilled from a high-rye mashbill and aged in heavy char barrels, it delivers dark caramel, red fruit, spice, and deep oak notes. Bottled at a fiery 120.6 proof, it’s rich, expressive, and unfiltered—just like the music it celebrates.

Old Soul 8 Year Old 10 Month (9 Year) "Tintype #2" 2nd Release Cask Strength Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $120.00 This follow-up bottling in the Tintype series pays tribute to funk and soul guitarist Hermon Hitson. Aged for over nine years and bottled at 113.7 proof, it offers juicy pear, dark chocolate, black cherry, and warm rye spice. Just 20 barrels were used to create this full-throttle expression—every bottle helps support American roots musicians.

FOR THE BOURBON NERD

Red Wax (Maker's Mark) Cellar Aged Bundle Pack (5x750ml, 1x1.75L) $500.00 This dream bundle includes the rare Cellar Aged 2024 and Wood Finished Series releases, plus Maker’s Mark 46 (standard and cask strength), and a full-sized Maker’s duo (750ml and 1.75L). For the ultimate red wax collector, this is the total package.

Russell's Reserve "HIKO-A-MON" K&L Exclusive (Warehouse TY-F, Level 4) Single Barrel #24-0443 Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml) $74.99 From the legendary Wild Turkey Distillery, this barrel was selected from Tyrone Warehouse F and aged for just over nine years. Classic Russell’s profile—dense oak, sweet burnt sugar, dark herbs—with the kind of structure and complexity that Wild Turkey fans crave. Bottled uncut and unfiltered.

Old Overholt 11 Year Old Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 This once-dominant rye brand is making a serious comeback. Distilled in 2012 and bottled at full strength in 2024, this 11-year-old Kentucky rye is spicy, herbal, and richly oaked. A throwback rye with a modern punch—and a fraction of the price of other well-aged cask strength ryes.

FOR A DEMURE DADDY

Domaine Laguille "XO" Bas-Armagnac (750ml) $49.99 A blend of old Armagnacs distilled from 60% Ugni Blanc and 40% Baco, this elegant XO delivers rich oak, dried plum, spice, and velvety texture. From a third-generation family estate with its own traditional alembic, this single-vineyard Armagnac is a serious value in old Gascon brandy.

Ragnaud-Sabourin "Fontvieille #35" K&L Exclusive Cognac (700ml) $179.99 Sourced from the heart of Grande Champagne, this 35-year-old Cognac is lush, seamless, and deep with caramel, baked fruit, and soft florals. Named after the estate parcel 'Fontvieille,' this is one of the finest aged Cognacs we've ever offered—complex, supple, and infinitely long on the finish.

FOR SURFER DAD

Hedonista de la Fe Espadin (A. Angustifolia) Santiago Matatlan Oaxacan Mezcal (750ml) $39.99 Crafted in Santiago Matatlán by Maestro Gerardo “Kain” Santiago Hernandez, this small-batch Espadin mezcal offers earthy smoke, grapefruit zest, white pepper, and a full mouthfeel. Versatile enough for sipping or a killer Negroni. Serve with chips, salsa, and a sunset.

Rock Steady Spirits Tepache Hi-Ball Bottled Cocktail (12oz) $7.99 Made with naturally fermented pineapple, raw cane sugar, cinnamon, clove, and real 100% agave tequila, this highball from LA's famed Thunderbolt Bar is carbonated magic in a can. Refreshing, flavorful, and mixology-level complex. Serve over ice with a Tajin rim for extra snap.

THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING

Ardbeg 34 Year Old "The Abyss" Islay Single Malt (750ml) $27,500.00 Considered by many the finest modern Ardbeg ever bottled, 'The Abyss' was distilled in 1989 and aged 34 years in French oak. Notes of marshmallow, roasted chestnut, lemon balsam, and antique leather meet sweet smoke and deep spice. Bottled in a sci-fi diving vault case, only 400 exist worldwide.

Hakushu 18 Year Old "Tsukuriwake Selection: Peated 2024 Edition" Japanese Single Malt Whisky (700ml) $1750 Distilled in the mountain forests of Hakushu, this peated 18-year-old showcases subtle smoke, orchard fruit, pine, and herbaceous freshness. Soft campfire peat, green apple, and mint unfold on the palate. A clean, elegant, contemplative malt for lovers of balance over brawn.

House Of Hazelwood 33 Year Old "The Accelerator & The Brake" Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml) $2300 Part of the rare Legacy Collection, this 33-year-old blend offers tropical fruit, stewed pear, soft toffee, and restrained island smoke. Matured in American oak, bottled at 46.5%, and limited to 385 decanters, it’s a study in slow-motion aging and exquisite structure.

Springbank 30 Year Old 2025 Release Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky (700ml) $2500 From Scotland’s most iconic distillery, this 2025 release is a blend of 85% ex-Bourbon and 15% ex-Sherry matured malt. One of the rarest and most in-demand whiskies in the world. Dense, oily, maritime, and ethereal all at once.

Nikka "Nine Decades" 90th Anniversary Limited Edition Blended Whisky (700ml) $2700 Blended from whiskies distilled in every decade from the 1940s to the 2020s—including Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and Ben Nevis—this 90th anniversary bottling is a testament to Nikka’s mastery. Just 4,000 bottles worldwide (only 400 in the U.S.). A historic, complex, and layered tribute to one of Japan’s greatest producers.

Seventy One Gin (700ml) $169.99 SEVENTY ONE Gin redefines luxury spirits with its meticulous production and unparalleled botanical artistry. Crafted for the connoisseur, this gin is distilled from the rarest ingredients, each chosen for its exceptional quality. The base features "Juniper" berries from Serbia—only the top 10% of the harvest—imparting a soft, rounded profile with hints of pine, green citrus, and fresh musk. Coriander seeds from Russia’s Black Sea coast add herbal-citrus depth, while Saxon Angelica root (Germany) balances sweetness with earthy austerity. Turkish lemon and grapefruit peels lend vibrant brightness, sun-dried to preserve their essential oils.The Assemblage elevates it further: night-blooming Spiritus Oxypheraum flowers (UK) offer vanilla and citrus notes, Damask roses (Turkey) bring stone-fruit sharpness, and Albanian myrtle leaves add woody complexity. Ecuadorian cinnamon bark and vacuum-distilled Nigerian ginger provide layered spice and perfumed warmth. Rested in barrels for 71 nights, the result is a golden-hued gin with bold precision—herbal, floral, and subtly smoky. Critics hail it as "the highest quality tasting gin in the world" (Forbes), with Double Gold Medals affirming its excellence. A triumph of craftsmanship, SEVENTY ONE is the ultimate choice for those who demand perfection.

- David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer