Let’s have a frank discussion. If you’re reading this right now, you’re too late to make Dad a quilt, knit much of anything or even get one of those custom Apple books documenting the family’s recent trip to Cape Breton. But all is not lost because, while we frequently bark about the high prices and occasionally thin selection at the government liquor store, the reality is that the place is a godsend for last-minute gift-giving. It’s got a little bit of everything. While simply giving a bottle on Father’s Day can feel lame, a bottle with a story that goes with it demonstrates your thoughtfulness and your ability to dive a little deeper for the ol’ fella!

1. For the Cool Dad

Your dad’s not a dud. He’s got a Decanter subscription, belongs to a few Okanagan wine clubs and frankly isn’t going to be fooled if you snag him some mass-produced Malbec that has a big gold “93 Points” sticker on the label

The Bottle

Unico Zelo Jade and Jasper Fiano, $30

The Story

While many drinkers still think of Australia as the land of big, jammy shiraz, the last few decades has seen an explosion of quirky experimental winemaking that has few equals anywhere else. A perfect case in point is this take on the Italian grape Fiano by Brendan and Laura Carter in the Riverland district of South Australia. It’s low-intervention, with no irrigation and no chemicals, and the result is an initially floral approach that works with some bracing acidity and crisp, barely ripe peach. It’s a pretty wild ride for ol’ BCL, and cool Dad will love it while listening to his Future Islands on vinyl.

The One-Liner

Can you believe you have to go to Australia to get a Fiano in this province?

2. For the Deal-Loving Dad

Dad likes nice stuff, but he likes deals even more.

The Bottle

Black Hills Bona Fide, $39

The Story

Everyone knows this wine’s older brother, the legendary Nota Bene, but this wine eschews the classic Bordeaux grapes in favour of a more esoteric Malbec/Carménère/Syrah mix. It might be the only wine in the world with this mélange. But it works: it’s savoury and even a bit smoky, with crunchy wild sage overlaying its dark fruit notes. And you know what? The bottle looks enough like Nota Bene that Pops may just assume you spent $75… and is that so bad?

The One-Liner

You know Tony Gismondi actually scored the Bona Fide higher than the Nota Bene.

3. For the Soccer-Loving Dad

He loves the beautiful game, but you don’t have a spare grand for tickets.

The Bottle

Taittinger Brut Reserve FIFA, $115

The Story

It’s not often you can say “Champagne” and “deal” in the same sentence, but when compared to the price of actual World Cup tickets, this official World Cup sparkler from Taittinger seems downright reasonable. And it’s a glorious bottle of wine: classy and exceptionally well-balanced, with a crisp approach to delicate flowers and crunchy apple. The perfect bottle to toast France advancing out of its super-easy pool, or especially Canada grinding it out of our super-tough one.

The One-Liner

This bottle is $15 more at the LCBO.

4. For the History Buff

He never lets a chance to insert an interesting factoid pass him by.

The Bottle

Glendalough Double Barrel, $51

The Story

Here’s a factoid: in the 1800s, not only was Ireland’s whiskey market exponentially bigger than Scotland’s, it was also widely considered the vastly superior spirit, selling at a significant premium over Scotch. But regulations and revolutions took there toll, such that when you roll into the BCL, you can’t find a single bottle of decent Scottish single malt for the price of this wonderful offering from Glendalough, the four-time winner of Ireland’s Craft Distillery of the Year. This bottle is an insane steal: non-chill filtered, with a wonderfully approachable, creamy, round palate that delivers a level of integration one expects in whiskies double the price.

The One-Liner

Anthony von Mandl’s Mark Anthony Group bought Glendalough a few years back, making this a Canadian-owned Irish Whiskey.

5. For the Martini Lover

The Bottle

Tanqueray No. Ten, $53

The Story

Man, do we ever live in a golden age of gin. We’re awash in beautiful bottles, endlessly interesting infusions and flavour profiles, and boy, can you easily drop a boatload of cash if you’re so inclined. And if you want to dive deep on cocktails, or even “fancy” G&Ts, experiment away. But no real martini drinker, and no, espresso martinis don’t count, wants to experiment on the primordial drink. They want a strong, balanced gin that was born to pair with vermouth to scientifically melt stress away in three-ounce increments, if only for a moment. And while we fully endorse patronizing your local distiller, for this one, we’re willing to cuddle up to Big Alcohol out of necessity.

The One-Liner

This is the only gin in the San Francisco Spirits Competition Hall of Fame.

6. For the Nascent Cocktail Nerd

The Bottle

Luxardo Maraschino, $45

The Story

Your mom tells you that “Dad is really getting into cocktails” and that “they try something new every Friday night.” Also, “When are you moving home to Saskatchewan?” and “Stay away from that fentanyl I keep reading about.” Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah, cocktails. There’s no Swiss army knife of mixers, but this vintage-looking bottle comes close by being a key ingredient in the Aviation, the Last Word and the Hemingway Daiquiri. You can’t do the classics without it.

The One-Liner

It’s pronounced mare-eh-SKEE-no, not mare-eh-SHEE-no.

Neal McLennan

Neal McLennan

Neal McLennan is the wine and spirits editor for Vancouver and Western Living magazines, where he susses out the wonderful (and occasionally weird) options for imbibing across Western Canada.