Spirits for Dads Who Enjoy a Drink

by Matt Dye

Now that Father’s Day is just around the corner, finding the right gift for Dad can get harder when cute macaroni art is no longer appropriate. With that in mind, Hokus Pokus has a number of respectable gifts for the man who has everything. They’re perfect for the bourbon sipping papa in your life. 

To start, Jim Beam has a small batch bourbon, Booker’s, and this 2025 variety is better known as “Jerry’s Batch.” An over seven-year-aged spirit, this whiskey is uncut and unfiltered, straight from the barrel to the bottle at its natural proof, which for this run was right at about 124. With a rich caramel aroma and a vanilla/toffee taste that leaves behind a toasted oak finish, this is easily a smooth sipping whiskey certain to leave a smile on Dad’s face.  

Another possibility is the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, a high-end, uncut and unfiltered bourbon out of Kentucky. Three batches are produced each year, with each having a distinct age, proof and flavor profile. Right now, the favorite at Hokus Pokus is the B525 batch, but you might find one of the others on hand to better suit the palate. This is a fine bottle that turns heads upon being taken out of the cabinet. 

RY3 offers a number of variations of whiskey, but one that Katelyn Young at Hokus Pokus pointed out was their Light Whiskey, which she stated was something that wasn’t often seen on shelves. Aged 14 years, there’s a lot to like in this little bottle. Light Whiskeys tend to have a higher proof and are aged in used or uncharred oak barrels. Skipping the heavy char flavors allows for more of a candied, creamy taste on the palate while maintaining an oak finish. 

If dad’s liquor cabinet is already stock-full, then the pivot might be to the Alchemi Single Serve Smoked Cocktail Kit, which is just as it sounds, everything the old man will need to infuse his drinks with a rich, smoked oak quality. This model in particular can work with more than just a tumbler, so he can test out smoke infusing other cocktails as well. 

Finally, for the perfect accessory, pick up a set of Glacier Rocks, either in traditional cube form or in a nice, fancy sphere. These ice-cube substitutes are known to keep drinks colder without diluting them, letting your father enjoy a nice, cold sip of whiskey without having to worry about it watering down. 

And if you’re still not sure what road to go down, just head to Hokus Pokus, 1915 Country Club Road, on Wednesday evenings from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. for their Whiskey Tastings. Try one of these and other pours to see what best suits the palate.