As the Winter winds whisper through quaint cobblestone streets and festive lights adorn the world’s cities, the holiday season beckons us to partake in the joy of giving. For the globetrotter seeking the perfect present, what better way to spread cheer than with a carefully chosen bottle of spirits that transcends borders? In the spirit of global camaraderie, let’s embark on a journey through the list of the best alcohol gifts during this enchanting Christmas period.
READ MORE: We try to rank the best whiskey in the world
In this list, we visit the Highlands, where the amber hues of renowned spirits have matured under the Scottish sun. Imagine gifting a taste of the Scottish moors, a sip that encapsulates centuries of tradition. Venture further south, and the warmth of tropical climates infuses spirits with an exotic allure. These sun-soaked elixirs, born amidst swaying palm trees and azure seas, beckon recipients to indulge in the luxury of faraway shores. Whether your loved one has a penchant for peaty notes or a desire for the sweetness of tropical fruits, the diverse world of spirits offers a globe-trotting palette of flavours.
We also go global. We bring you alcohol from the bustling streets of Tokyo or even the spice markets of Marrakech. Gifting a selection of spirits opens the door to a sensory expedition, allowing your loved ones to embark on a global taste adventure from the comfort of their own home. The clink of glasses becomes a passport, transcending borders and connecting friends and family across continents. So, as you contemplate the perfect gift, consider the world within the bottle and the shared experiences that await, making this holiday season a truly global celebration.
Whisky for the cold weather
Lagavulin 16
A real classic, Lagavulin is a fantastic place to start when looking for the best single-malt whisky. This specific 16-year-old beverage has gained popularity recently thanks to Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman.
Situated on the southern tip of Islay, the distillery crafts some of Scotland’s most aromatic whiskies. The interesting things about this whisky are its richness and dryness.
Grab a bottle for your friend here.
Glen Scotia 1832
One of Scotland’s smallest single malt Scotch whisky distilleries, Glen Scotia was a prominent figure in Campbeltown’s storied past and its history dates back to the 1800s. Much of the original architecture of our distillery is still present, including the 1830s-era fermenters, stillroom, and dunnage warehouse.
A superbly peated single malt whisky that creates a distinctly unique Campbeltown malt whisky. The increased peat content results in a lovely, rounded finish and a more sweet, smoky character.
The whisky offers drinkers a salty sea breeze with peat smoke and hints of crème caramel and vanilla in the background. Light treacle, vanilla, and spiced apple make up golden syrup. The mid-palate is balanced by subtle notes of medicinal peat. It has a long-lasting peat finish with hints of dried fruit that bring sweetness.
Grab a bottle for your friend here.
Glenmorangie – A Tale of the Forest
Glenmorangie- A Tale of the Forest, is made from barley that has been kilned with botanicals from woodlands. Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Whisky Creation at Glenmorangie, was inspired to revive an antiquated technique of kilning barley using botanicals by the constantly evolving natural wonders he finds while meandering through the nearby forest. Here he selected heather flowers, birch bark, and juniper berries.
The single malt fills your senses with the aromas of pine, juniper, and coriander, interspersed with hints of smoke, evoking the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest. Subtle hints of bitter orange lighten the taste of deep green eucalyptus, which then floats to a slow, subtly oaky finish.
Grab a bottle for your friend here.
Get your friend a whisky subscription (Australia only)
If you love whisky, but you’re not sure what to get this might be for you. Australia’s (best) alcohol subscription service Liquorloot is here to help you. Just subscribe or buy a subscription for a friend, so that they can receive new and unique whiskies to try out.
Get a subscription here.
Gins to please the fussy
Four Pillars Yuzu Gin
The newest core gin to be added to the famous Four Pillars’ lineup is Fresh Yuzu Gin. This is the progression of the brand’s limited edition products and partnerships with the Kyoto Distillery in Japan and the Kisume restaurant in Melbourne.
While the finger lime adds some deeper citrus character, the yuzu adds a blend of bright and fresh citrus notes from lemon, mandarin, cumquat, and grapefruit. For depth of flavour, the distillers added ginger, turmeric, and sencha genmaicha, a Japanese green tea with roasted brown rice. A robust pine-needle juniper canvas with a hint of lemon myrtle to give it a hint of lemon curd.
Grab a bottle for your friend here.
Stranger and Sons Gin
This Goa-distilled gin is distinctly Indian, featuring a blend of native spices (black pepper, nutmeg, mace, coriander, liquorice, and cassia bark) and Indian citrus peels (think of them as a cross between a lime and a mandarin orange) from Calcutta.
Established in 2018, it swiftly spread to Thailand and the UK after making its debut in India. Even though their brand is relatively new, it has already won awards, including the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2020’s “Gold-Outstanding.”
Grab a bottle for your friend here.
READ MORE: We have a review for the Stranger and Sons gin that we loved
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin
A lifetime of travel the brand’s founder, PJ Rigney, led to the creation of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin. Its name is a reference to the illusive Drumshanbo Jackalope, an antelope and hare hybrid from American folklore. His travels brought him to the wild and unspoiled areas of Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland, where he established The Shed Distillery, which is furnished with antique copper stills and mixes Irish and Oriental botanicals.
The following are the tasting notes: elegant, pure, fresh, and with pronounced floral notes. It is flavorful and delicious, with a creamy palate and a surprisingly smooth and spicy character. The finish is long and crisp, with a vivid hint of anise and cereal.
Grab a bottle for your friend here.
Get your friend a gin subscription (Australia only)
Calling all gin lovers! With so many new gins coming out every day, it is almost impossible to stay abreast of what’s new. Liquorloot might have the solution for you. Just subscribe or buy a subscription for a friend, so that they can receive new and unique gins to try out.
Get a subscription here.
Wines for the cultured
The Squealing Pig Zero alcohol range
These miniature pigs are the ideal plus one for any occasion because the Squealing Pig Zero alcohol range includes a Rosé in a handy 375ml format and a Sauvignon Blanc in two sizes: a 750ml bottle and a 375ml bottle.
The Mid Pig portfolio offers 750ml bottles of low-alcohol Prosecco, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc for those seeking a lower-calorie, lower-alcohol beverage without sacrificing flavour.
Grab a bottle for your friend here.
Estate Pinot Noir 2021 by Pimpernel Vineyards
Pimpernel’s Estate Pinot Noir is a team favourite and is known for its fruit-dominant, perfumed, precise, and complex characteristics. It comes in two varieties: Pinot Noir One, which is more savoury, textural, and weightier in profile, and Pinot Noir Two, which is more structured and complex.
The wine displays powerful fruit characteristics, including plum, blood orange, raspberry, and Morello cherry. These are complemented by notes that are darker and more savoury than those found in our typical Pinot Noir One, with hints of tobacco, dark rye, spice, and liquorice, as well as subtle charry oak in the background.
Every mouthful has a flavour that is complete in terms of intensity and complexity. Subtle oak, finely crafted tannins, and vibrant acidity all work together to restrain the powerful and lengthy finish, which is complemented by elegant and weighty dense red and dark fruits.
Grab a bottle for your friend here.
Dogwood & Thistle Shenandoah Valley Cabernet Franc 2022
The husband-and-wife team Sandy and Erin Robertson of Dogwood & Thistle hail from Virginia and California, but until now, they had only produced wine in California. Produced in Virginia, the home state of Erin, this wine possesses all the earthy elements we look for in a great Cabernet Franc: subtle notes of baking spice, cocoa, dried leaves, and forest floor that accentuate the juicy red fruit. It’s time to try wine from Virginia if you haven’t already.
There are notes of black pepper, tomato stalk, raspberry, plum, and strawberry jam cooking on the stove, and hedgerow fruits in the nose. The nose is filled with beautiful, pure fruit. Fresh fruit and sharp acidity greet the palate, which brings to mind Wimbledon strawberry punnets. The notes continue with mentions of stewed plums simmering on the stove, juice at the bottom of the pie tin, and baked cherry pie crust.
The fruit in this wine is cooking, but it’s not baked or overripe yet. The body is medium weight, with a light oak that adds just enough sweetness that you won’t notice if you blink.
Grab a bottle for your friend here.
Beers to bring that party to life
Is there seaweed in my beer
We were excited to try this brand new Australian Pils with clean malt notes, a light body, and a golden to straw colour. This pilsner is unmistakably Tasmanian, thanks to a dash of Enigma hops grown in Tasmania. The salinity in the seaweed addition enhances the flavours and aromas of guava and lychee from the hops, creating a fruity and umami combination that finishes crisp and leaves you wanting more.
The use of kelp and seaweed provides that Japanese-inspired taste that will be an interesting addition to the party and something you might want to consider giving a friend who loves discovering new beers.
Grab a pack for your friend here.
Helios Brewing Dionysus Oat Cream IPA
Citra, Motueka, Nelson Sauvin, and Motueka SubZero Hop Kief are all prominent in Dionysus Oat Cream IPA (8.0% ABV), which boasts a dazzling array of notes including tangerine, lime, mango, passionfruit, and gooseberry. This is a luxurious beverage with a sweet, creamy mouthfeel enhanced by a healthy dose of lactose.
Hops and some tricky new hop products are added to the recipe at a rate of 20g/L in order to drive the biotransformation reactions and thiol production specifically, as well as to ensure an explosive, tropical hop character.
Grab a pack for your friend here.
Sauce Brewing Ginger Beer
Sauce’s Ginger Beer (4.0% ABV), named simply, appeals to the market of people who don’t like beer but are attending a brewery for a birthday in addition to their assortment of seltzers.
It pours like a sparkling white wine, with a clear tint and lively body. If it weren’t for some natural silt settling at the bottom, you might almost think it was one. Ginger Beer, despite having a low alcohol content, coats everything in your mouth—from the roots of your molars to the top of your nose—almost like a lacquer.
It will not cure a cold because it is well-balanced and neither too sweet, bitter, or harsh on the throat. However, on a hot day, it might help you beat the heat. It goes well with lots of ice and a wedge of lime.
Grab a pack for your friend here.
READ MORE: Check out some of our previous lists of alcohols to drink during the holidays
What are your favourite alcohol gifts?
We want to hear from you. Drop us an email or leave a comment sharing some of your favourite alcohols that you like to give or receive. We’ll do our best to try them out and if they deserve a place in our lists, we’ll make sure to add them in.
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