The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
7 best supermarket whiskies for Father's Day, according to industry experts
From American bourbon to single malt scotch, these are the handpicked bottles to buy
Daisy Lester Senior shopping writer Friday 29 May 2026 10:46 BST
Our Top Picks
- Bankhall single malt – £26
- Glenmorangie the original 12 years old single malt whisky – £41
- Laphroaig 10 Year Old – £42
- Smokeshead Islay single malt scotch whisky – £32
- Michter's small batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey – £60
- Redbreast 12-year-old – £57
- Buffalo Trace Kentucky straight bourbon – £28
While the booming popularity of a good dram has sent the price of premium, age-statement bottles into the stratosphere, you don't need to remortgage your house for a decent pour. The best supermarket whiskies now include some genuinely excellent bottles at prices that won't make you wince.
If you're hunting for a crowd-pleasing gift for Father's Day, there's no need to spend big to secure a decent bottle. To help separate the genuinely good-value whiskies from the underwhelming options, we asked industry experts to share the supermarket buys worth adding to your trolley. While it's easy to assume higher prices guarantee better quality, affordable supermarket whiskies can be surprisingly impressive. Aldi, for example, has seen several of its own-label expressions ranked among the best in the world, while Lidl has previously picked up gold at the World Whiskies Awards. "You can find great whisky available at almost every price point," says Billy Abbott, author of a Philosophy of Whisky. "While more affordable whiskies will often not have the bells and whistles of more expensive bottles, you can find great quality wherever you look." Whisky's growing popularity has also encouraged supermarkets to raise their game. A booming cocktail culture, helped along by the younger generation's rediscovery of classics such as the old fashioned, has turned whisky into one of the most in-demand spirits. As a result, the bottles sitting alongside your weekly shop are now better than ever.
Broadly speaking, there are five main types of whisky: Scottish scotch, Irish whiskey, American whiskey, Canadian whisky and Japanese whisky. Production methods differ by region, offering single malts, blends, cask-strength, and peated varieties. Blended and Irish whiskeys are widely enjoyed for their smoothness, while American bourbon has surged in popularity recently, with its sweeter flavour making it an accessible choice for newcomers.
Meet the experts
Our trio of experts have years of experience in the spirits industry. Joanne Gould is a journalist with a decade of experience writing about food and drink. She's written about every type of whisky there is for dozens of publications, from scotch and single malt to blended and bourbon. Jonathan Hatchman is a whisky expert with years under his belt reviewing the best spirits, with tests of the best Japanese whiskies, bourbon, and rye. Aidy Smith is an award-winning TV presenter, broadcaster and journalist. He is the presenter of Amazon Prime's award-winning drinks-themed travel series The Three Drinkers and is frequently heard across TV and radio.
1. Bankhall single malt
ABV 40%. Described as a "bold, youthful whisky bursting with personality" by Smith, this spirit is crafted in Blackpool but inspired by American styles. It's made with English barley and aged for just over three years, in charred virgin oak. "This small-batch gem delivers vibrant notes of orange marmalade, vanilla, dried fruits, and mint, with a dash of cinnamon and dark chocolate," Smith describes. "Triple-distilled and matured in ex-bourbon, ex-sherry and virgin oak casks, it's rich, versatile, and equally at home sipped over ice on sunny days as it is by the fire on winter evenings." Though it usually costs £26, it's even cheaper with a Nectar loyalty card, which takes the price down to £18.
2. Glenmorangie the original 12 years old single malt whisky
ABV 40%. "This 12-year-old single malt is good value at full price as an approachably smooth and silky dram with lots of stone fruit and sweetness," Gould says. As for how to drink it, while it's "great for a nightcap on its own, it pairs nicely with gingery mixers," she explains.
3. Laphroaig 10 Year Old
ABV 40%. Hatchman says he's always got a bottle of Laphroaig 10-year-old on the go at home, as "it's just such an exemplary Islay single malt with unapologetically bold character, with a punch of medicinal peat smoke, iodine and just a whisper of seaweed." But what really sets this one apart is the "10-year-old's consistency and maturity, with some of the harsher edges rounded off and a more complex finish," says Hatchman, adding that "the no-age-statement expression is also great."
4. Smokeshead Islay single malt scotch whisky
ABV 40%. "Islay fans who like their whiskies super smokey should head to Morrisons where Smokehead Islay Single Malt is currently in stock," Gould advises. "Not for the fainthearted, this uber-peaty, woody whisky has a slight sherried style and is just waiting for autumn to draw in."
5. Michter's small batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
ABV 45.7%. "Michter's is one of my favourite distilleries, producing some truly incredible bourbon, rye and sour mash American whiskeys," Hatchman says. His favourite? Michter's US 1 Small Batch Kentucky straight bourbon from the core range. "It's an absolute benchmark of both the style and the distillery's approach to whiskey production." Though great for cocktails, this is definitely a bourbon to drink neat, or with a couple of ice cubes at most, Hatchman suggests. "The whiskey has gorgeous vanilla and corn notes, as are typical of bourbon, plus a really nice richness alongside slight caramel notes."
6. Redbreast 12-year-old
ABV 40%. "Although the 15- and 21-year-old expressions are particularly celebrated, the 12-year-old is often overlooked," Hatchman explains. "It's an excellent introduction to great Irish whiskey, matured in a combination of American oak barrels and Spanish oak Oloroso sherry butts." Despite having "all of the smoothness associated with Irish whiskey, it's also bold with loads of baking spice character and a delicious, buttery finish that lingers."
7. Buffalo Trace Kentucky straight bourbon
ABV 40%. "Carrying the pioneering spirit of early American settlers, this bourbon is crafted at one of the country's oldest distilleries, where the liquor is aged to perfection, using the region's rich grains and pure limestone water," Smith explains. "This deep amber bourbon delights with a complex nose of vanilla, mint, and molasses, while the palate offers a harmonious blend of brown sugar, spice, and a smooth sweetness." Perfect for fans of an old-fashioned and bourbon lovers, it's also won plenty of awards.
What are the best supermarket whiskies for 2026?
Whether you're looking to delve into American distilleries or stay closer to home with a Scottish single-malt, there's plenty of choice when it comes to supermarket whiskies. For less than £30, Bankhall single malt whisky impresses thanks to its harmonious blend of herbaceous woods, warming toasted spices and a touch of fruit, while Glenmorangie the original 12-year-old single malt whisky, is a must-try for its silky-smooth texture.
