A fine bottle of vodka, scotch, whisky, bourbon, tequila…you get the idea is always a welcome holiday gift. "
-PJ GachWith just a few shopping days left before Christmas, many people are in a blind panic. Stores were insanely packed during Super Saturday. And they’ll continue to be right up to the wire. If you’d like to give someone a work of art, but think it could be too pricey, how about a Keith Harig limited edition 1800 Essential Artist Series bottle of silver tequila? It’s only $35 and once they’re gone from the shops, they’re gone.
The wonderful thing about giving the gift of spirits, is that they’ll not only last through the holidays—and will more than likely last throughout a year or two. It’s not a gift that you can only use when it’s cold out, or wait until the season changes. Many spirits are also made in small batches, have limited edition bottles or gift sets, like the Keith Harig, so when you’re giving the gift of cocktail, you’re also giving them something they can treasure (and use) for years to come.
Read Santa’s Helper, Holiday Spice & More Holiday Cocktails!
In this gift guide are also bar tools and accessories. And one small bit of advice. Years ago a friend of mine had ordered a present for her brother for Christmas. Despite many assurances that the gift would show up in time for the big day, it was missing. Clever girl found a photo of the item, wrapped it in a gift box and told him that when the postal gods relented, this is what he was getting.
ALSO!! Buying lovely liquor is a genius gift! You never have to worry whether or not the gift will fit of if they hate the color. And who would re-gift bourbon? Madness!
Bourbon
Russell’s Reserve® 1998 is a rare small batch bourbon crafted by Eddie Russell, son of master distiller Jimmy Russell. Eddie, a master distiller himself, created the Russell’s Reserve with an eye on giving it to Jimmy on his retirement. Jimmy, however is on his 61st year as a master distiller and shows no signs of stopping. The father-son master distiller duo are still crafting and overseeing the manufacture of excellent spirits. Russell’s Reserve has just been released to the public; there are only 2,070 bottles are in existence, making the 102.2 proof, non-chill filtered whiskey a coveted holiday gift. MSRP $250, at stores where you can find it!Basil Hayden wants to keep you fashionably bourbon-ish from your head to your toes. The lushly flavored liquor has teamed up with Quoddy shoes for an amazing holiday gift set. For $399.98, your loved one (or you) receives a pair of custom-made pair of “drinking shoes” from Quoddy and Basil Hayden, four co-branded leather wrapped rocks glasses nestled in a leather box. There’s only 100 of these babies out there find it online at Huckberry.com.
Gin
Everyone’s heard of Boodles Gin. They’re perhaps the best known of all the gins in the world. Created in 1845, and named after the famed men’s club in London, they set the standard for the British style of gin. They’re onto something new with their mulberry based gin. It has hints of cranberry and raspberry; tart and sweet at the same time. Liven up any classic gin cocktail with this treat, or serve it neat. It’s priced at MSRP $28.99. And what a gorgeous bottle!
Rum
Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year Old Rum is making a big comeback. Gone are the days when you ordered a rum and coke, because (a) it was the most palatable cocktail you could handle and (b) you could get drunk fast from drinking it. Now you know that rum has a distinctive flavor and on its own, is the perfect accompaniment to a good conversation. Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year old is aged in American Oak barrels. MSRP $36.99. Find it in liquor stores nationwide.
South Hollow Spirits is Cape Cod’s only distillery and the first legal one since Prohibition. They make two rums in small batches. For the holidays, pick up their Twenty Boat Hand-Crafted Cape Cod Spiced Rum. It’s a blend of twice distilled rum mixed with 10 local ingredients like cardamom, vanilla bean, cinnamon, rose hip, anise, lemon peel, orange peel, allspice, nutmeg and chai. Very warming on a cold night. It’s 47.5% ABV and is $44.99 for a 750ml bottle, and $29.99 for a 375ml bottle.
Whisky, Vodka, Tequila and more gifts after the jump.
Whisky
Bully Boy Old Fashioned is actually a pre-made Old Fashioned done up in a period bottle that looks as if it popped out of the Prohibition era. It’s 35.7% ABV and made with their distinctive American Straight Whisky, angostura bitters, muddled raw cane sugar. All you have to do is pour two fingers into a glass and enjoy. Bully Boy is Boston’s first craft distillery, and you can find this concoction for MSRP $29.99 at stores nationwide. To find out more about Bully Boy Distillery and where to buy their entire line, visit their site.
Vodka
Skyy Vodka has completely embraced the ugly sweater trend. For the holidays this year , they have a limited edition 750ml bottle of Skyy Vodka encased in a limited edition sweater for MSRP $18.99. Available at liquor stores nationwide.
Ketel One is celebrating its 325th anniversary this year. To be technical, Nolet Family Distillery, the makers of Ketel One are. They’ve crafted a limited edition copper matte bottle that will look gorgeous in any home bar. The one liter gleaming bottle has an MSRP of $32.49 and can be found in liquor stores nationwide.
Chopin Vodka Did you know that in Poland they pair vodka with steak tartare, herring or terrines? I’ll take the herring…and the vodka of course! For the Holidays, family owned Chopin Vodka (made with potatoes) is offering a limited edition gift set of their gluten-free libation. For $29.95 MSRP, you get two signature Chopin Vodka glasses and a 750 ML bottle of their vodka.
Hangar 1 Straight Vodka is crafted by Caley Shoemaker, a female distiller and as such is one of the only spirits made here in US created by one—I think this is extremely cool. Hangar 1 is made in Alameda, California using only fresh, local seasonal ingredients. The vodka is grain based and comes in Mandarin Blossom and Buddha’s Hand Citron. Pick up a bottle from MSRP $35. To learn more about Hangar 1 Straight Vodka, visit their site.
Absolut Elyx is a smooth wheat based vodka. For the holidays, they have a gift that gives back. You can purchase their copper pineapple—star of their instagram account and a symbol of hospitality for $84.99 or with a bottle of Absolut Elyx for $119.99 and proceeds of the sales benefit Water for People.
Read Recipe: STK’s Chocolate Peppermint PopTRT
Moonshine
You no longer have to hunt the wilds of Appalachia to get your hands on authentic moonshine. Just head on over to your favorite shop. Pick up this gorgeous bottle filled with Manhattan Moonshine—Prohibition style whiskey, MSRP $39.99 and show that cocktail lover that you’re ahead of the trend. To learn more about the brand, pick up cocktail recipes and where to buy, visit their site.
Tequila
The Rolling Stones and Tequila have a long entwined history . Back in 1972, the band named their tour the Tequila Sunrise Tour. To celebrate the holidays in rock n ‘ roll style, pick up a limited edition of Jose Cuervo’s Reserva de la Familia x Rolling Stones bottle,$150 MSRP.
This year, Keith Harig was selected to be the artist for the 1800 Essential Artist Series. He joins Jean-Michel Basquiat and Gary Baseman as the other artists who have been selected in the past. Inside each bottle, pick one of the six original designs, is 1800 silver tequila. When the bottles are gone, they’re gone forever. MSRP $30. Not bad for an original work of art.
Beers
Green Flash Brewing Co, of San Diego accidentally created Jolly Folly IPA, a limited edition (500 barrels) of this spicy, hoppy beer. The IPA is 7.7 % ABV and 71 IBU. It has a piney, floral aroma, and the beer itself has hints of citrus and tropical hops that mingle with the malty flavor. Use their online locator to find a place that stocks their beer nationwide. Microbrewers Victory Brewing Company have been keeping the denizens of Pennsylvania (and beyond), happy for years with their All Malt Lager, Prima Pils, HopDevil IPA, Storm King Stout, and Golden Monkey Belgian-style Tripel. For the holidays, they’ve got a limited edition wheat ale, aptly named Winter Cheers. It has hints of clove, banana (yes, really), and citrus. Use their online locator to grab a six pack. Feel like being a big spender? Get their limited edition Resist Prohibition Mini Fridge, $499.00. LED lit, it will hold 37 wine bottles (750 ml), 120 cans (12 oz.) or 85 bottles (12 ounce). Or snag a pair of their cozy Beer Socks for $12.99…Everyone needs a pair of beer socks!
Liqueurs
Campari has such a distinctive taste. The Italian liqueur is considered to be an aperitif. It is marvelous in a Negroni, Saguinea, with a splash of soda or orange juice. It’s slightly bitter and very refreshing. Show off your taste by giving a bottle of Campari with a label taken from a design by Fortunato Depero, an Italian Futurist artist in 1933. The original sketch has been reimagined in color. The sketch has been done in a series of three; all on their 750 ml bottles. Find these limited edition goodies at fine liquor stores nationwide.
Sukkah Hill Etrog comes from a small startup crafts spirits company in California. Sukkah Hill Spirits specializes in artisanal liqueurs, making each batch by hand. An etrog is a lemony fruit, if you’re Jewish like me, you’ll remember it being waved about with a lulav in Hebrew class during Sukkot. If you’re not Jewish, the etrog is a gorgeous yellow fruit also known as a citron. Sukkah Hills Etrog is a slightly sweet citrus liqueur that has gotten raves from the Los Angeles Times, the Beverage Tasting Institute and received 91 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine. It can be served by itself, with vodka, or as part of a cocktail. To find this gluten-free, non-GMO and made with pure can sugar delight, visit the Sukkah Hills Spirits site for a store near you.
Sukkah Hill Besamin is the other hand-crafted liqueur created by Sukkah Hill Spirits. It’s a spicy liqueur that received 92 points from the Beverage Tasting Institute. The 74 proof beverage is a mix of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and other ground spices. It has been raved about in The New York Times. Serve it over ice, or mix it with Bourbon. visit the Sukkah Hills Sprirts site for a store near you. They also have a cocktail recipe page.
Bonus Round: Bar Essentials
Some people have every single tool crafted to create the penultimate cocktail, and some people are just getting their home bar together. Whether they’ve got it all, don’t , or like cocktail tools, check out this list.
The BarBack Tool, $39.99. It’s got 11 bar tools in one item. If your cocktail maker doesn’t have a lot of space, or is like me…always misplacing a tool, this has it all. It has 11 (yes) functions: bottle cap opener, garnish tool, corkscrew and double lever key, citrus zester, fruit/veg peeler, cutting tool, removable belt clip, juice can opener, stir and layer tool, and has a finger loop.
Olive and Cocoa Winter Cocktails Set, $138. This set will take the chill off any freezing winter’s day. The Winter’s Cocktails book has over 50 recipes for hot toddies, mulled ciders and eggnogs. Also in the gorgeous box are four heavy rocks glasses that look like mid-century treasures with their gilded details. There’s even a wood tray to carry it all in to your guests.
The Cocktail Party: Eat, Drink, Play Recover by Mary Giuliani Caterer Mary Giuliani has created, well, it’s more than just a collection of recipes, it’s also filled with stories about her catering (Celebs! Mishaps! More!) and tips on how to throw any type of party you’ll throw in your home.
Things Remembered Engraved cut crystal champagne bucket, $60. Whether chilling a bottle of champagne, wine or a few beers, every home bar needs something to keep beverages cool. You can find this champagne bucket at any Things Remembered store nationwide and online.
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