Christmas is fast approaching, so grab a Dan’s Daily-approved bottle or two for your special someone.
Congratulations, you’ve made it to another Christmas rush (*slow clap*). Is it just us, or did this one sneak up real fast? Like, unnervingly can’t-remember-Easter fast. Nevertheless, Mariah Carey is here in all her glory, using those pipes for evil yet again this holiday season (‘All I want for Christmas is You’ is my personal paralysis demon).
If you’re anything like us, Christmas, as much as we love it, has been the last thing on our minds. So, the prospect of present-buying is a little daunting – braving those crazed-Chrissy crowds has us feeling like Everything Everywhere All At Once. Funnies aside, we understand the presh of a Christmas shop, so we’ve gone ahead and simplified it for you with this gift guide to the perfect alcoholic spirits gifts for Christmas 2024.
A Chrissy spirits guide! Woohoo! Christmas = sorted. Not only that, we’ve also made it super easy to navigate with price-point subheadings! Exclamation point. Drops for immediate family over $200, tipples for good friends under $200, something for your work wife under $100 and then, of course, for Uncle Fred under $50 (pending the annual Christmas lunch fight). This is our thoughtful and considered mix of 15 whiskies, liqueurs, bourbons, tequilas and more to streamline your Christmas shop. Happy shopping and merry Chrimbo.
Click image to shop
Gifts under $50
1. Aperol Spritz and Prosecco Gift Pack
If you’re an aunt shopping for your 22-year-old niece, put down the Lovisa jewellery, and pick up this Aperol Spritz and Prosecco Gift pack. We’re sorry, but she’s never going to wear that chunky statement necklace, no matter how many coloured diamantes are on it. What she will appreciate is a little Chrissy Aperol Spritz pack – a bottle of beady, bright prosecco and everyone’s favourite aperitif, the bitter orange Aperol. And if you’ve been a particularly good aunt this year, she may even share it with you. Win-win!
Price: $44.99
Look, we’re a big fan of Baileys. It’s a great product and their production is top-notch. And while we do think this guy is on the up (and up), and that we should all be drinking more if it, you know whose Christmas it will actually make if you buy it for them? Gran’s. We know it, you know it. This is a perfect stocking-filler. And what’s best about gifting Granny Baileys for Christmas? Especially when it’s the one-litre bottle? You’re gonna get a little swig over some ice, too. Another win-win, or, as the kids say, a “W”.
My Dan’s member price: $46
Regular price: $49.95
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
3. Regal Rogue Daring Dry Australian Vermouth
The best gifts are ones that introduce people to something new (they love it, you look like a hero – everybody wins), so we reckon the Regal Rogue Daring Dry Australian Vermouth is a prime pick for anyone yet to delve into the world of vermouth (or for absolutely any home bartender). With its mix of sauvignon blanc, native anise myrtle, quandong and native thyme, this is a very Aussie, very tasty, earthy, salty and complex vermouth. The Regal Rogue crew suggest using it in a Dripping Wet Martini – equal parts this vermouth and vodka or gin – or served simply with tonic and a salty garnish, like caperberries, olive or thyme.
My Dan’s member price: $31
Regular price: $34.99
Gifts under $80
You know who hates Espresso Martinis? No one (no one we trust, anyway). So, Mr Black Cold Brew Liqueur is a perfect gift for anyone and everyone (of drinking age). It’s the core ingredient to one of our most-searched cocktails (the Espresso Martini obvs) and it’s damn delicious. Crafted in a small distillery on the NSW Central Coast, it uses specialty cold-pressed single-origin coffee beans from Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea and Brazil. Yeah, it's pretty spesh, so drink it on the rocks, with a bit of milk if you're a weirdo, or have a go at some of these Espresso Martini-inspired cocktails.
Price: $70.99
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
A classic! An icon! A literal National Historic Landmark distillery! And under $80? A steal. Woodford Reserve Bourbon is a bit of an OG, and with 200 flavour notes, it's not hard to see why. Think great spice, fruit, flowers, wood, sweetness, the whole shebang. So, whose stocking does this belong in? Well, an OG needs an OG, so who other than your favourite coach, teacher, joker… That’s right, this is a perfect gift for your number-one uncle. He’ll love it, and he’ll defs be drinking it with Coke and ice later that evening, which may not be as intended for this quality drop, but who cares, it’s Christmas. Sneak some for yourself and whip up a Bourbon Peach Tea.
My Dan’s member price: $77.99
Regular price: $67
My Dan’s member price: $60
Regular price: $69.99
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
Gifts under $100
Price: $87.99
7. Grey Goose Vodka Spritz Pack
How good is a vodka goblet? Unsure? Well, do we have the pack for you (or someone else). Grey Goose’s Vodka Spritz Pack includes one full-size bottle of the iconic smooth and bitey Grey Goose AND a Spritz goblet. Perfect for when you want to drink vodka out of a goblet (sensibly) or for making a vodka Spritz, this is also a fab idea for any of your work colleagues or a great option for Secret Santa with a bigger budget.
Price: $82.99
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is America’s sweetheart. The only person to rock a turtleneck and chain (see what we did there?). Ask any of your group chats and they’ll tell you “he’s a bit of alright.” What’s even more alright than The Rock in a turtleneck is his ultra-premium, small-batch tequila Teremana – and we’re big fans of the Reposado in particular. Crafted from 100% fully mature Blue Weber Agave and produced with the same traditional methods you’d expect of any top-tier drop. That extra ageing gives it a beautiful golden colour, plus vanilla and caramel flavours that rond out the black pepper and citrus from the agave. Celebrity brands don’t always make the cut, but consider us impressed.
Price: $96.99
Gifts under $200
10. Glendronach 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
When neighbours become good friends, you gift them a good Scotch. Something they can pour into a fancy decanter, something you can share (please) when you come over for nibbles and drinks or to look at the new bathroom reno (how good are subway tiles). It’s the gift that keeps giving. And Glendronach 12-Year-Old is the perf op. Sitting snug under that $200 mark, this deeply sherried single malt is matured for 12 years in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks to make a sweet and creamy-tasting Scotch. Perfect served neat and super sippable, now. Go on, show us your rainfall showerhead.
My Dan’s member price: $110
Regular price: $127.99
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
11. Solento Organic Anejo Tequila
Now we’re cooking with gas! The Solento Organic Tequila is a bloody delicious drop. We’re up in the big-buck categories now, so we’re going to say this is a good pressie for those in your inner sanctum. It could even be a communal ‘thank you for being good housemates and cleaning up your tomato sauce specks off the splashback’ gift. In terms of taste, expect some smooth, buttery flavours due to its 18-month rest in American oak whisky barrels, with some lovely mapley, oaky notes to finish.
My Dan’s member price: $140
Regular price: $150.99
Need a gift for the Martini-lover in your life? Or maybe you broke a martini glass last time you visited. Whatever the case, you can thank the Four Pillars crew because your shopping is officially done. The Four Pillars Gin Hamper pack is the gift we all want to receive, with its one-litre bottle of Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin, 50mL bottle of the Maidenii Vermouth, jar of Spanish olives and two martini glasses. It’s thoughtful, it’s classy, and it’s going to turn your mate into a Martini mixing master, which can only work in your favour.
Price: $198.99
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
Gifts over $200
13. Glenfiddich 21 year Old Gran Reserva Scotch Whisky
He “helped” you with your fractions, he drove your loosely roof-tied mattress across the city to your new sharehouse, he returned your ex’s fishing rod two years later just so he could glare at him, and he only communicates in thumbs ups. He’s Dad. And he deserves a damn good Chrissy gift this year (and every year). So, if you want to splash for Dad this year (and you should), the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva sounds about right. In fact, this is perfect for that whisky-loving mum, sister, cousin or love-of-your-life. Rich, complex and finished in Caribbean Rum casks, the Gran Reserva is both soft and mellow, peppery and gingery, and vanilla and leather finished. Trust us, they’ll love it – and they’ll never know you scored it at such a killer price.
My Dan’s member price: $249
Regular price: $339.99
14. Don Julio 1942 Añejo Tequila
Unpopular opinion, but you should buy yourself a Christmas present this year, too. A real treat yo’self present. Because you know what? You’ve done good, especially in this economy, and you deserve a little something-something. But not just any something-something – a Don Julio 1942 Añejo. That’s right, the bottle you see you all those influencers drinking on your feed. Made from only the finest piñas (the heart of the agave plant), double-distilled and aged for 24 to 30 months in small oak barrels, this spirit smells rich and sweet: think caramel, toffee, cherry and vanilla. To drink, it’s damn smooth, so serve this neat and appreciate it in small sips. In layman's terms: this bottle is pretty special, just like you, sweetheart (*wink*). Merry Chrysler, you saucy minx.
My Dan’s member price: $289
Regular price: $304.99
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
You might want to get your siblings (and cousins) involved to make this a group present because this is one baller bottle. The Hennessy XO Cognac is top-shelf stuff, and it comes with a long history and fancy reputation (and co-signs from Tupac, Beyoncé and Rhi-Rhi). It’s the gift to give when you really want to impress, and even if the person receiving it is only vaguely familiar with Cognac, they’ll know this bottle is the real deal. Rich and complex with spiced oak notes and floral touches, this is for serving neat and truly savouring.
Price: $354.99
For more easy Christmas gift ideas, check out our guides to buying wine, beer and drinks under $30 this festive season.
