Father’s Day is nearly here, but don’t fret: We’ve saved the best for last with our round-up of unique wines and spirits to gift dad. Many of these bottles are limited-editions, some have an exciting design or music band collaboration and one is even a special wine release to celebrate – and raise money for – Team Canada for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. We’ve included splurges and steals in this list – from a $15 white wine to a $500 single-malt whisky.
Luminary No. 2 2024 Edition,
The Dalmore
Luminary is a three-part series created by The Dalmore in collaboration with V&A Dundee, a Scottish design museum. The second installment is a single malt aged in bourbon casks, with secondary maturation in tawny port pipes and Apostoles sherry casks. It’s complex and sweet on the nose, with a subtle smokiness.
$500
Pillitteri Team Canada White VQA,
Pilliteri Estates
Did you know that Canada’s Olympics team has an official wine? Niagara, Ont.’s, Pilliteri Estates donates $1 from every purchase to the Canadian Olympic Foundation and its efforts to support Canadian athletes. Their VQA white is easy-drinking, refreshing and fruity – perfect for sipping white watching this year’s games.
$15
Triple Oak Canadian Whisky,
Bearface
Bearface Triple Oak is a single grain Canadian whisky matured for a minimum of four years in three different casks (American Oak, French Oak and Hungarian Oak). The casks are matured in repurposed shipping containers and exposed to the elements in the Canadian wilderness – a process designed to amplify how the whisky and wood interact.
$39.95
The Grateful Dead Cabernet Sauvignon,
Gnarly Head
The Grateful Dead teamed up with Californian winemaker Gnarly Head to release a limited-edition range of wines that are, like the band, “expressive, bold and true to their roots.” The Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, dense and full-flavoured, with aromas of black cherry, juicy blackberry, peppercorn and charred oak. Fun fact: the label glows under blacklight.
$19
Negroni,
Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers
Dillon’s bottled Negroni is crafted with the Ontario small-batch distillery’s Dry Gin 7 (a classic London-style gin with seven botanicals), their Sweet Vermouth and Professor Dillon’s apertivo liqueur. These come in a four-pack, ready for a family toast.
$22.95/4
No. 006 Oyster Shell Gin,
Copperpenny Distilling Co.
The first Canadian gin made with oyster shell is crafted at North Vancouver’s Copperpenny Distilling. This umami gin is made with Fanny Bay oyster shells and Okanagan desert sage, among other botanicals, and has a distinctly briny finish. The perfect expression of B.C.
$40
2019 Oculus,
Mission Hill
This opulent Bordeaux-style red is the ultimate expression of the Okanagan Valley. It delivers a powerful, fresh and elegant structure, with Merlot driving red and blue fruit flavours, Cabernet Franc adding herbaceous undertones and Cabernet Sauvignon supporting the length on the palate. Perfect for cellaring.
$185
8-Year-Old Double Cask,
Appleton Estate
The 8-Year-Old Double Cask is a limited-edition release launched exclusively in Canada. Master Distiller Dr. Joy Spence finishes her iconic Appleton Estate 8-Year-Old in Speyside Single Malt Casks for six months to product this collectable rum. Double matured, this rum has a delicious aroma of spiced fruit notes, best enjoyed neat.
$49.95
Jack Daniel’s McLaren Limited Edition 2,
Jack Daniel’s
Jack Daniel’s teamed up with the McLaren F1 racing team last year, and recently released the second edition in their whisky collaboration. The limited-edition bottle design is – no surprise – inspired by racetracks.
$40
RCAF Canadian Gin,
Black Fox Farm & Distillery
Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote, co-founder and CEO of Saskatchewan’s Black Fox Farm & Distillery, used to fly a plane as part of a civilian search and rescue team trained by the Royal Canadian Air Force. Partial proceeds of the sale of this gin will be donated to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Centennial Fund.
$49
J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe x Yellowstone Limited Edition,
J.P. Wiser’s
If your dad is a fan of the smash-hit show Yellowstone, then this is the perfect gift. The label of J.P. Wiser’s limited-edition collaboration with Yellowstone features an iconic scene inspired by the show. Make sure dad has it in hand ahead of the release of the second part of Season 5, set to air in November.
$35
Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret,
Hendrick’s Gin
Hendrick’s Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, was inspired to create limited-edition Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret after reading about a stone fruit eau de vie that was served with a dash of gin and scented with rose, which gained popularity at fashionable Parisian parties in the early 1900s.
$57
10 Year Old Islay Scotch Whisky,
Ardberg
Celebrated for its balanced smoke and fruit character, this revered 10 year-old single malt scotch whisky is distilled on the Isle of Islay, Scotland, and features aromas of lemon, smoke, peat and brine with a touch of cereal. The finish is long, sweet and smoky.
$120
Reserva Malbec,
Terrazas de los Andes
Terrazas de los Andes Malbec is a bold and full-bodied red wine that is sure to impress. Its new bottle design uses lightweight glass, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. Discover the pure elegance of a mountain terroir wine.
$20
Glenmorangie Original Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky,
Glenmorangie
First released more than 175 years ago, Glenmorangie 10 year-old is a smooth single-malt scotch whisky with notes of vanilla, honey, and peach. It’s perfect for serving neat or mixed with other ingredients to create fun and flavourful cocktails.
$77
Fords Gin,
Fords Gin
Fords Gin is a modern take on a classic London Dry Gin, Fords Gin starts with a traditional base of juniper and coriander seed balanced by citrus, florals and spices that are steeped for 15 hours before being distilled. The signature bottle has an ergonomic shape to make it easier to hold when pouring
$43
Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur,
Chambord
Premium black raspberry liqueur Chambord is made from 100% natural ingredients, including black raspberries, black currant, Madagascan vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, honey and XO Cognac. Known for its quality, Chambord is a favourite among bartenders and cocktail lovers worldwide.
$45.50
Alberta Distillers Rare Batch No. 1,
Alberta Distillers
This new limited-edition whisky from Alberta Distillers has been aging in the Rocky Mountains since the turn of this century, and will hit shelves in Canada this June. Aromas of spice with hints of warm pear and oak give way to a deep taste that blends caramel, molasses, dark chocolate and raisin.
