The Best Whiskies for Father’s Day with Gavin Linde of RolexWhisky

I love me a good whiskey or bourbon. But if you were to tell me to just pluck out a bottle and expect success, I don’t think you’d like the results very much. Thankfully, you don’t have to rely on me for that, because we’ve got Gavin Linde, also known as RolexWhisky, to help.

Gavin is a terrific expert and acts as a guide into new, rare, and tasty whiskies from all across the world. No matter whether a drop of whiskey has never touched your lips or you’re making Manhattans on the regular, Gavin’s got the low-down on what to try.

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Gavin was sipping the good stuff by the time he was 18 years old (the legal drinking age in South Africa). He started RolexWhisky as a way to build a college fund for his three children. Today, he’s based in California and works as a grocery brand builder alongside his booming whiskey business, which now sports a finely curated collection of over 600 bottles.

Gavin shared a look inside RolexWhisky, including the characteristics of bottles he looks for, the types of events he’s planning for the second half of the year and beyond, and offers a few Father’s Day recommendations.

How did you get into the whisky world?

Long-time listener, first-time caller, lol, jk. I have drunk scotch since I was 18 growing up in South Africa. As I got into it more and more, I started to fixate on the traditions and heritage and delve more into the distilleries and the whiskies they produce and this became quite the passion project as a drinker, a collector, and an enthusiast.

What do you look for when collecting bottles or making recommendations?

I look mainly for a low-release amount of bottles from a distinguished distillery whose whiskies are highly sought after. Rare, and limited.

As for recommendations, it's all about the price. If you find the IT bottle for the moment at the right price, jump all in. The older bourbon whiskies, Japanese whisky from Suntory, and scotches like Macallan and Dalmore. The older stuff you cannot go wrong with collecting.

How have you marketed yourself before, during, and after COVID? Has it changed at all?

Not really, a lot more Zoom tastings that's for sure. And now, I am getting into curating luxury whisky tastings more for groups as the demand to learn is there.

What's something that's surprised you about the industry?

The distributors panicked as they could not sell it into the restaurants and next thing grocery stores were flooded with whiskies that just sat there, as not many can afford or know what they are looking at in a glass case in a supermarket.

What's the worst gift you've received (either for Father's Day or another holiday)?

Honestly, my family knows to get me gift cards so don't try shopping for me ;)

What's next for RolexWhisky?

I am going to start doing more tasting events for large groups, where I can educate people on whiskies they might have never tried, so education is my next step.