Jonathan Ray

Father’s Day drinks to make Dad merry

  • From Spectator Life

Father’s Day is rarely observed in our house for some reason, unless you count that time I was let off dishwasher duty a decade or so ago. Mother’s Day, on the other hand, is greeted with bells, whistles and klaxons, my boys having had it drummed into them that flowers, breakfast in bed, a spa day and matinee constitute the bare minimum considered acceptable by their mother.

This ghastly year, though, dad deserves a bit of a fillip too (hint, hint boys). Buy him a fine bottle, one that you wouldn’t mind drinking yourself. After all, he’d love a bit of company and a natter and nothing warms the cockles better than decent liquor shared.

Here, then, are my top ten tipples for Father’s Day. Drink them with the old man and make him feel special.

Innis & Gunn Caribbean Rum Cask Scottish Red Beer, 6.8%vol, (£1.90 per 33cl; Sainsburys)

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A gloriously lush, spicy, malty Scottish ale with hints of enriching toffee and vanilla thanks to brief maturation in former rum barrels. Serve it ice cold and watch the grin spread swiftly across your pater’s chops. Warning: he’ll want a second.

No.1 Reserve Tawny Port, 20%vol, (£13.99; Waitrose)

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 Given the provenance and effort gone into making it, this major medal-winning port from the Symington family (of Graham’s, Dow’s, Warre’s, Cockburn’s fame) is ridiculously under-priced. Aged for seven years in oak, it’s chock full of nuts, figs and candied fruits. Dad (and mum) will lap it up.

2019 Vondeling ‘Babiana’, 13.5%vol, (£15.95; Davy’s)

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Broaden dad’s horizons with this seductive number (5 stars in Platter’s South African Wine Guide) from Voor-Paardeberg, north east of Cape Town. A perfectly poised blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, it’s creamy, citrusy, apricotty, herbal, honeyed and endlessly tasty.

2021 La Gitana Manzanilla ‘En Rama’, 15%vol, (£16.95;

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