These are the best bottles for gifting this Christmas
We've uncovered the finest whiskies, tequilas, wines, champagnes and cognacs to gift yourself – or a loved one – over the festive season
Words: Gentleman's Journal
When it comes to gifting, few ideas suggest ‘celebration’ better than a bottle of whisky, gin, wine… or whatever the recipient’s tipple of choice may be. We’re not talking about your typical supermarket bottles, either. These are drinks that you’ll be proud to either show off in your cabinet come party time, or gift to a special someone, safe in the knowledge that it has some thought and meaning behind it.
Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of our favourite bottles – from whiskies to cognacs; champagnes to tequilas. We’ve even snuck a few English sparkling wines onto our list. So read on, drink up and have a very merry Christmas. Because, after all, ’tis the season…
Celebrate with the finest English sparkling…
English fizz is having a serious moment, with many homegrown makers creating sparkling wines to rival champagne. One such company is Nyetimber, whose signature Classic Cuvee Multi-vintage has consistently been crowned one of England’s best sparkling wines. Also on our gifting list this Christmas is Chapel Down's Grand Reserve 2019, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with a rich and toasty flavour that’s the result of a three-year ageing process. Gusbourne’s Fifty One Degrees North, which takes its name from the precise latitude of Gusbourne’s vineyards, is a prestige single vintage sparkling wine that captures the essence of Kent and Sussex.
If their whisky decanter needs a top up…
Treat the Scotch sipper in your life to a bottle they’ll truly cherish. First up: The Macallan’s 12-Year-Old Sherry Oak, considered a classic expression of the Speyside distiller’s sherry-cask matured whiskies. Glenfiddich’s 14-Year-Old Our Bourbon Barrel Reserve is the ultimate drop for single malt lovers who happen to be partial to the sweet kick of American bourbon, while the Glenlivet 15-Year-Old French Oak Reserve, which is finished in Limousin French oak, recalls the flavour of fruity, slightly spiced cognac.
And for those with a penchant for American whiskey…
Exciting things are happening in the world of American whiskey, with increasing exploration around cask finishing, the rise of American single malt whiskey and the rediscovery of heritage grains. WhistlePig is one of the brands at the forefront of innovation. Try the Vermont-based distillery’s 12-Year-Old, Old World Rye Whiskey, which derives its distinctive fruity character from ex-wine cask ageing. For fans of a classic Manhattan, the sweet and peppery Sazerac Rye is the ultimate addition. And who can ever resist the dripping red wax seal of Maker’s Mark? Maker’s 46 is the first new Maker's Mark recipe for at least 50 years, named for the number of different wood 'recipes' they tried before getting it right. 46 times lucky?
The perfect tonic for the gin enthusiast…
Serving as the basis for many a classic cocktail, gin is the gift that keeps on giving. One of our favourites is No.3 London Dry Gin, a balance of juniper, citrus, and spice, making it a cleaner and more refreshing gin that works especially well for a martini or distinctive Negroni. Sipsmith – the quintessential expression of traditional London Dry Gin – is another bottle that you can’t go wrong with. For something a bit different, reach for Roku Japanese Gin, which blends the traditional botanicals with six Japanese botanicals – sakura leaf and sakura flower for spring, sencha tea and gyokuro tea for summer, sansho pepper for autumn and yuzu peel for winter.
Wines for the cellar or the festive dinner table…
Wine is a classic gift idea that you can rarely go wrong with. Opt for something festive and fun, like the latest holiday collaboration between Australian winemaker Penfolds and streetwear design legend NIGO, complete with a collectible festive red gift box. A bottle of Domaines Ott Château Romassan Rosé will look lovely on the dinner table and adds a lightness to those heavy meals. Berry Bros. & Rudd are always a sign of great taste: their White Burgundy makes the perfect companion to a Christmas cheese board.
If they have a particular knack for cognac...
Nothing warms the cockles more than a fine cognac. Louis XIII’s Classic Decanter is one of the finest, made from the oldest and rarest eaux-de-vie. Even the decanter itself is handcrafted by the finest European crystal houses. The X.O. in Hennessy X.O stands for Extra Old, and represents craftsmanship that has been honed over the century. Hennessy are among the most storied cognac houses, and a bottle of X.O can never do any wrong – especially as a present. Finally, Courvoisier XO is a perennial award winner that’s perfect for fireside sipping.
Top tequilas…
Forget shot glasses and lime chasers, these are premium tequilas that beg to be slowly sipped and savoured. For a tequila that looks as good as it tastes, opt for a bottle of Clase Azul Reposado, made with slow-cooked 100% Blue Weber Agave. Volcán de mi Tierra Blanco Tahona is also presented in an eye-catching bottle, designed to ascend, volcano-like, to a staggering height. The premium tequila market has been taken by storm by Maestro Dobel Diamante Reposado Tequila and it’s easy to see why: blended using reposado, anejo and extra anejo 100% agave tequilas, the blend is then subject to a filtering process that removes the colour while at the same time making the tequila exceptionally smooth and creamy in texture.
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