Whether their vibe is tequila, Scotch, gin or something else altogether, Santa’s got just the pressie for them.
The discourse around Christmas gifting can get a little out of hand, with reports of its difficulty greatly exaggerated by all and sundry. Don’t worry; we’re here to remind you that finding the right gift can be a simple yet rewarding endeavour. All it takes is a little Christmas spirit. Speaking of which, here are 12 spirits that make Christmas gifting a cinch.
From boutique Aussie whisky and elite single malt Scotch to world-class tequila and a cracking medley of South African gins, these spirits are the tastiest ways to wish your friends and family good tidings. No need to overthink it – everything you need is right here. Below, a list of the top 12 spirits gifts to pick up this Christmas.
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Spirits under $50
1. Sugarbird Gin Christmas Cracker
Toeing the line between Christmas drink and decoration, Sugarbird Gin’s Christmas Cracker is arguably the most festive way to sample six of South Africa’s finest gins. From a protea and cucumber concoction to a delicious honeybush and moringa blend and beyond, these cracking gins offer plenty of substance beyond the cutesy packaging. And indeed, if there were ever a time for cutesy packaging, it’d have to be Christmas.
2. Luxardo Limoncello
The festive season is all about friends, family and feasting, and nothing closes out a feast in style quite like an ice-cold nip of limoncello. Crafted in strict adherence to the family recipe since 1905, Luxardo’s Limoncello is as authentic as it is delicious. Wielding its intense, citrus peel-driven aromas with aplomb, the sheer versatility of a limoncello this good is invaluable. Limoncello Spritz? Yum! Limoncello and tonic? Seriously, try it. Straight up or on the rocks? You can’t beat a classic.
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Spirits under $80
3. Maker’s Mark 46 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
It took the master distillers over at Maker’s Mark 46 attempts to land this beauty – and we’re bloody grateful they didn’t pack it in early because they’ve struck gold. Built from the foundation of their flagship bourbon, this 46 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky is finished in seared French oak staves to take the whisky into a richer, deeper profile than its immediate ancestor. Behind that classic Maker’s Mark character are big, bold flavours of vanilla, caramel and spice to be unwrapped. Jolly good stuff.
4. Rum Co. of Fiji RATU 5 Year Old Spiced Premium Rum
Water is one of the most crucial ingredients in any spirit, and some of the world’s best and purest flows from the artesian wells of Fiji. It’s only fitting that it should be used to make rum, which is precisely what the bright sparks at the Rum Co. of Fiji have done. Crafted from sugar cane grown in the island’s rich volcanic soils, filtered through charcoal made from coconut shells, and then aged in charred oak barrels for a minimum of five years, this RATU spiced rum is smooth as butter and pure as Christmas Day itself. It’s quite sweet, and a favourite of ours to sip on its own after (a massive) dinner.
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5. Fire & Ice Gold Flakes Vodka
6. Hendrick’s Flora Adora Gin
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Spirits under $100
7. Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila
You don’t have to be a bartender to appreciate Olmeca Altos Plata. Still, it’s probably worth noting its status as one of their most loved, according to a recent poll by Drinks International – in fact, we canvassed our own group of pro bartenders on the very best tequilas for Margaritas and this bottle made the cut. If that co-sign isn’t enough to convince you, its herbal agave and fresh citrus flavours should. Pound for pound, this is one of the best things the Margarita-lover in your life can hope to find under the tree this year.
8. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky
When it comes to giftable Scotch, it’s hard to beat ‘the walking man’. Punching well above its price tag, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve oozes with the same quality and class as its luxury whisky stablemates (Johnnie Blue is probably a bit OTT for Secret Santa anyway). A harmonious blend of Speyside, Highland and West Coast malts, your lucky giftee can expect a smooth and silky dram spiked with notes of vanilla, dark fruit and a touch of smoke. Pure gold.
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9. The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood Single Malt Scotch Whisky
If it’s single malt or nothing for your loved one, you can’t go wrong with the iconic 12 Year Old DoubleWood from The Balvenie. After a dozen years maturing in ex-bourbon barrels, the masters behind this excellent whisky treat it to nine further months in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. If you don’t speak whisky, this gives the final product a dreamy balance of warming vanilla spice with fruity, honeyed depths. It’s silky without being syrupy, ever so slightly smoky without any bitterness, and something all whisky lovers (from novice to expert) will be stoked to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Under $200
10. Patrón Añejo Tequila
If you’ve got a little more to spend, go for an aged tequila for extra flavour and sophistication. Patrón Añejo Tequila is crafted from 100% Weber Blue Agave and aged for 12 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (with some retired bourbon barrels thrown in for good measure). You can get as technical on the tasting notes as you want, but the truth is that great tequila practically tastes like summer. And given Aussie Christmas lands roughly in the middle of it, we can’t think of many better gifts. This soft, sweet and spicy spirit is perfect for sipping neat – or swap out the bourbon in an Old Fashioned for an out-of-this-world cocktail. Trust us, it’s made for those days spent lounging beneath the aircon between Christmas and New Year.
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11. Archie Rose Distilling Co. Single Malt Australian Whisky
Australia’s own Archie Rose Distilling Co. has just the thing for whisky lovers of a more artisanal persuasion. Racking up countless awards across the globe, their marquee Single Malt Australian Whisky is safe harbour come Christmas time. Its unique six-malt mash bill lays the foundations for a rich and expressive whisky; 36 months on Australian apera casks and a selection of the distillery’s own bourbon and rye casks elevate it to another level. Notes of sticky date pudding, amaretto, toffee and dark choc? Sounds like Aussie Christmas to us.
12. Monnet XO Cognac
Gifting Cognac is a bold move. It implies a heightened level of taste and refinement in both the giftee and gifter. High-brow. Distinguished. Luxe without the gaudy. Monnet XO Cognac is on the money if you’re looking for a gesture that ticks all those boxes. Aged in fine-grained Limousin oak casks in Monnet’s Jarnac-based cellar, its elegant bouquet of tobacco, candied fig, cinnamon, and baked raspberry will delight even the most distinguished Cognac aficionados. Bougie brandy, indeed.
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