There are many ways to show your father that you love and appreciate him. There’s breakfast in bed, an offer to mow the lawn, a warm hug and the offer of the last cookie.
Or you could just buy him something he definitely doesn’t need, but we’re pretty sure he will want it. Happy Father’s Day!
Heavy Ardbeg fumes
For whiskey-loving dads, this is a head turner and something of a master distiller’s mad scientist moment. The distiller in question, Bill Lumsden, chose to remove the copper purifier during the manufacturing process to enhance the flavor and create what they describe as “the ultimate experimental Islay Single Malt Scotch”, with notes of dark chocolate, mint and Peat smoke on the tasting notes.
It’s not the first time they’ve tried something crazy, but it’s probably their most successful to date. Bill Abbott of the Whiskey Exchange said the gamble “paid off here – it’s definitely Ardbeg, but not like you’ve tasted before.”
£120 from the Whiskey Exchange
Drool Art Prints
If your dad is the type who would love a beautiful Turner print from the National Gallery shop, we encourage you to stop by. But for those with dads who still wish they’d spent their college days, these effortlessly cool prints featuring images created by some of the brightest young designers could be the perfect choice. High quality print and paper and a diverse collection means there is something for just about everyone.
Prints from £15; as shown £50 (A3 size), no frame
Falconware teapot
It’s a small teapot, short and stout. And basically indestructible: Enamelware, as Falcon explains, “is porcelain fused to thick steel, giving it durability, smoothness, and chemical resistance.” So if your father is a clumsy guy, he’ll never smash a teapot again.
teapot £30; matching mugs £11
Coravin timeless Three+ wine in the glass system
If your dad is already a true wine lover, chances are he already has a Coravin that lets you pour a single glass from a fine vintage bottle of wine without having to open the whole thing. But if not, or if he’s just taking his first steps as a wine lover, it’s more or less a must – says celebrity fan Oprah Winfrey. And if you don’t believe Oprah, Pointless’ Alexander Armstrong made it one of his luxury goods when he spoke to us a few years ago.
£249.99 (currently on sale at around £187), Coravin – www.coravin.co.uk
Cutter & Squidge Beer & Brownies Gift Box
Cutter & Squidge’s best-selling brownies come in six flavors, with three bottles of beer: an IPA, an American Pale Ale and a Small Beer lager.
In other words: beer and brownies. Tick and tick. Beautifully packaged and a gift to behold. As you’d expect from any selection box, there are hits (especially the salted caramel and millionaire shortbread flavors) and misses (the peanut butter brownie and the pint is weak and tasteless). But that’s all part of the fun.
£31.99 from Cutter & Squidge
air up
Extremely popular with ‘the kids’, this German innovation is an extremely clever idea that bubbles flavor into boring old water as you drink it and releases the flavor via a replaceable plastic cup. Taste is 80% smell, manufacturers point out, and this tricks your brain into thinking you’re drinking a soft drink instead of H20.
It’s expensive but beautifully constructed (especially the insulated steel models) and a good idea to help those who just can’t stand drinking plain water. Does it really taste like liquor or something like that? We wouldn’t go that far, but the flavor is definitely noticeable – and if you think a fairly subtle flavor effect would impress dad, it’s gimmicky and fun.
Air Up bottles from £24.99 (£44.99 for the steel version); Flavor Pods from £4.99 for three people
Cool swans
A “refreshing, modern artisan blend of single malt Irish whiskey, silky Belgian white chocolate and fresh Irish cream” that “is born from a vision to reinvent Irish cream liqueur for a modern world,” according to the makers. We’re not entirely sure why Bailey’s and its ilk really needed to be reinvented (it’s essentially a succulent milkshake, right?), but it’s a light and refreshing drink that’s packed with flavor and a little less sweet than Bailey’s. The bottle looks good too.
£32.99 for 1 liter of Waitrose (£26 for 70cl)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
A definite win for a gadget-loving dad—especially if your dad regularly takes trains, planes, or (and there’s no nice way to put it) happens to share his place of residence with someone who talks a little more than he’d like to. If any of those things are true, then he’ll thank you very much for purchasing these absolutely superb – but very expensive – headphones. Too expensive? The non-professional 3rd gen AirPods are almost as good but don’t have the clever noise-cancellation – saving you around £100.
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen, £249 from johnlewis.com
The weekender
You might not buy him a weekend getaway, but you can buy him a bag for the occasion. The market is saturated with luggage, but this model from Stubble & Co, made from waterproof canvas and natural full-grain leather, is one of the best holdalls and weekend bags and won’t break the bank either. It has a capacity of 42 liters, a laptop compartment, a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap and a reinforced base with 6 knobbed feet for protection. It is available in five different colors – all are elegant and understated.
£165 from www.stubbleandco.com
The Fortnum and Mason Father’s Day Gift Basket
In the early days, when computers took over the workplace, there was a saying among IT guys: “No one was ever fired for buying IBM.” Four decades later, there’s a new saying in the world of Father’s Day gifts: “No kid got ever berated for buying Fortnum & Mason.”
£150 from fortnumandmason.com
Marshall Acton III
Exuding a touch of 1930s wireless chic, this multi-talented speaker connects to your dad’s music sources via Bluetooth, WiFi, Apple Airplay and Spotify. Best of all, unlike most wireless speakers, there’s a vintage jack on the top so he can plug in his CD player or turntable. I think we all know he’ll be happier that way – and the sound coming from that loaf-sized box is space-moving.
£259.99 from John Lewis
Cable knit jumper by Celtic & Co
Yes, it’s boiling hot in the UK at the moment. But you know that in July it will be cloudy, windy and 14 degrees again. Plus, this is year-round shanty chic for your old man.
£118 from Celtic & Co
Ettinger billfold purse
“£210 for a wallet? “My brother bought one at the Christmas market for £1.50 and it’s great!” That’s what our digital editor’s daughter, nine, said of this Ettinger wallet when she spotted it slung over his shoulder. To be honest, this model would have been out of their price range anyway. And be.
Ettinger purse – £210 – see more details.
Drive a tank
Who doesn’t want to even try driving a tank? From car smashing to paintballing, you and your dad will enjoy taking control of these powerful machines and enjoying a breathtaking burst of power as you destroy everything in your path. (Just don’t let dad get carried away romping around the parking lot.)
From £165 at www.tankdriving.co.uk
Pantherella socks
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To be clear, under no circumstances should anyone buy socks as a gift unless they are specifically and clearly asked to do so. Forget Samuel Johnson’s “patriotism is the villain’s last resort”; If the big man were alive today, he’d be even more excited to anyone who’s ever uttered the words, “I guess I can just get him some socks.”
That’s not to say nice socks aren’t great, but there are some men out there – God bless them – who actually want socks, and make it clear. Under these circumstances alone, elegant models are clearly the best.
Pantherella cashmere socks from around £77 via harrods.com; monogrammed Pantherella Waddington model available directly from pantherella.com
