A Very Forward Gift Guide To Father’s Day
Image by iStock
Punk dad? Recovering-hippie dad? Kosher-curious dad? Whatever your papa’s quirks, there’s a Father’s Day gift to match. To make gift-shopping easier than ever, we’ve rounded up our favorites for 2018 — June 17, in case it didn’t save on your calendar. You’re welcome.
“Abraham & Isaac & Jacob” t-shirt
Modern Tribe’s a go-to for smart Semitic gifts, and this “Patriarchs” t-shirt reminds Dad he’s in great company as a Jewish father.
Exclusive to ModernTribe. Image by Modern Tribe
$24.95 at ModernTribe.com
Iwai Tradition Whiskey
How much would you pay for a distinctive red whisky from an independent Japanese distillery on Mars? If the answer is about $50, you are in for a treat. This warm, rounded whisky comes from Shinsu Mars, one of the highest distilleries in Japan, and has a lovely sherry taste which the blenders want to say has a hint of ginger, but I’d say is less peppery, more cinnamon but without cloying. $58.99 at caskers.com
Image by Tokiwa Imports
[Kosher USA (Columbia University Press) by Roger Horowitz](Columbia University Press “Kosher USA (Columbia University Press) by Roger Horowitz”)
Wherever Dad sits on the kosher scale — from serious to just curious — he’ll enjoy Roger Horowitz’s groundbreaking book, which examines America’s 20th-century kosher business through the lens of his own family’s journey. $26 at Amazon.com
Image by Columbia University Press
English Whisky Company 9, Sauternes Barrique
Brought to you by the people who bring you the Whisky Jewbilee comes this English (not Scottish) whisky. Nine years old, this whisky is aged in Sauternes barriques (those are tall, special 59 gallon barrels previously used for a type of dessert wine). It’s a delicious spicy whisky with a raisin finish, almost orangey in its fruitiness. $105 at singlecasknation.com
Image by singlecasknation.com
YEAH boxed set
Did Dad have a wild streak in his youth? He’ll appreciate this brand-new boxed set of Yeah, Jewish counter-culture hero Tuli Kupferberg’s groundbreaking 1960s satiric ‘zine. $35 at PrimaryInformation.com
Image by Yeah boxed set
Glenmorangie Spios – Private Edition Number 9
Every year Dr. Bill Lumsden has a poke around the Glenmorangie casks to see what he can make into a limited edition. This year’s is fascinating although I think, unsuccessful. Spios means “spice” in Scots Gaelic and the attempt is to make a Scotch that is spicy and sweet, exploiting the rye bourbon market but with a more complex flavor profile that has less grass, more clove. If you decide that you’d rather trust my palate, you could try my favorite of the Private Editions, Milsean, which is like a candy shop dressed as a candy-striper. It’s even good for [breakfast.] (https://forward.com/food/360619/5-whiskies-for-inauguration-weekend/) $85.91 at the whiskyexchange.com
Image by glenmorangie.com
David Yurman Petrvs Star of David Amulet, at Bloomingdales
This sterling-silver Star of David from celeb jeweler David Yurman looks solid as a rock – a perfect message to send to a Dad who’s always there for you.
$350 at Bloomingdales.com
Star of David by David Yurman Image by bloomingdales.com
Ramones 40th-anniversary vinyl reissues
Was Dad at the Jewish punk heroes’ first CBGBs gig? Did he spark your own love of loud music and vintage vinyl? Thank him with these ultra-cool vinyl re-releases of Ramones, Rocket to Russia, and Leave Home from the indispensable Rhino Entertainment. $22.99 each at Rough Trade Records
Image by Amazon.com
Katz’s Father’s Day package
Image by Katz's Deli
Leave it to Katz’s to make Father’s Day delicious. This special holiday package comes with a pound each of corned beef, pastrami, and brisket, as well as two quarts of pickles and fixings, meaning Dad may just have to share. Bonus: A Katz’s hat or t-shirt sweetens the deal. $140 at Katzsdelicatessen.com
GapFit x Ovadia+Sons parka
Ariel and Shimon Ovadia’s white-hot menswear label takes inspiration from their father Moshe, a onetime Israeli soccer star who got into shmattes after emigrating to the US. The paternal backstory makes this lightweight, water-resistant parka even better; it’s from the siblings’ Gap capsule collection and you can “borrow” it if Dad ever takes if off. $106.80 (on sale from $178!) at Gap.com
MyCoffeeandBookClub
Happiness is a good cup of coffee and a good book. And for about $31 a month, you can give Dad both. Nashville’s 1910 Roasting Co. – whose founders run this subscription service – ship whole or ground beans along with rich, strong books selected by genre. From about $31 at mycoffeeandbookclub.com MyCoffeeandBookClub has a special offer for Forward readers: Use coupon code FORWARD, all caps, for 20% off of your subscription.
A subscription gets you books and java. Image by Daniel Schaefer
Starter shaving kit from Art of Shaving
Is Dad part of the booming men’s grooming market? He’ll appreciate these soothing sets from Art of Shaving; we love the “Replenishment Bundle” with lavender-scented pre-shave oil, shaving cream and after-shave balm. $30 on Amazon
A Forward Subscription!
How can we make a gift guide without this essential?! Buy Dad/Abba/Papa/Tatty a subscription to the Forward — you’ll always have something to talk about. $39.99 for a first subscription or $10.99 for every additional subscription, at forward.com
Marlon Brando reading the Forverts.
Whiskey recommendations contributed by Dan Friedman.
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