For anyone who likes to drink, give or receive whiskey, this weekend lineup is almost too good to be true. National Bourbon Day falls on June 14, followed 48 hours later by Father’s Day.
A big holiday in Kentucky, NBD is toasted across the U.S., with celebrations everywhere from San Diego to Cincinnati. Louisville has already been partying for two weeks, in honor of the Old Fashioned, named the city’s official cocktail in 2015.
Here’s to you, Dad
At Forbes.com, Brad Japhe has kindly chosen these bourbons and ryes with Father’s Day in mind, but some can do double duty for NBD. As Japhe points out, you don’t need to drop thousands on a rare bottle of Pappy Van Winkle to wow Dad.
For example, in a recent blind tasting by the Beverage Testing Institute, American whiskey drinkers found Jim Beam Black ($23*) smoother than a bourbon that fetches as much as $3,000. “The data prove that when you can’t see the bottle, taste means more than hype,” Japhe says.
Made in Japan—and Kentucky
With Japanese whisky growing costlier by the day, why not go for a bargain-priced bourbon that captures some of its magic? Legent, a collaboration between Jim Beam master distiller Fred Noe and Suntory chief blender Shinju Fukuyo, can be Dad’s for a mere $35.
Japhe also recommends Basil Hayden’s limited-edition Caribbean Reserve Rye, which blends Kentucky and Canadian ryes with blackstrap rum: “This unique fusion brings together brown sugar, marzipan and notes of black pepper into a bottle that retails at just $44.” Sold.
*All dollar figures in USD