These are the best bottles for gifting this Christmas
We've uncovered the finest whiskies, rums, wines, champagnes and cognacs to gift yourself—or a loved one—over the festive season.
Christmas is around the corner. When it comes to gifting, few ideas suggest ‘celebration’ than a bottle of whisky, gin, wine…or whatever the recipient’s tipple might 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 give to a special someone; safe in the knowledge that your gift has some thought and meaning behind it.
Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of our favourite bottles—from whiskies, to cognacs, champagnes, and even bundled collections that are perfect for your Christmas party. We’ve even sneaked an English sparkling wine onto our list. So read on, drink up and have a very merry Christmas. Because, after all, ’tis the season…
If their whisky decanter needs a top up...
Glendronach 15 Year Old Revival is the original incarnation of the whisky, but with a new recipe thanks to master blender Rachel Barrie. This is made by combining both oloroso and PX casks into a rich sherry-flavoured whisky that has notes of spice, nuts, and fruit. Like fruit cake, for grown ups.
Or try the latest from the The Last Drop Assembly, who have been crafting serious, superbly-made whiskies since their inception. Their second Signature Blend, No. 28 is an incredibly exclusive whisky created by master blender Drew Mayville. Composed of Kentucky Straight Whiskies, it also includes vintage ryes and bourbons from the archives, and it has a rich, woody, amber tone and a mature profile thanks to the age of its blended whiskies.
Macallan's The Amber Meadow is part of the third release of their lauded Harmony Collection—which introduces subtle complexities to their already much-loved whisky. In collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney, it pays homage to the lush lands of Scotland, and has notes of oak, lemon, and even melon—giving it a sweet aftertaste that remains on the palette.
The perfect tonic for the gin enthusiast...
A constant winner of various World’s Best Gin awards, No.3 London Dry Gin is 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. No.3 is a product of years of research, distilled in copper pots in Holland—the home of gin. This is the crowd-pleasing option that also goes the extra mile.
Fans of Monkey 47 should try their Schwarzwald edition, produced in Germany’s Black Forest (also known as the Schwarzwald). Made with a combination of 47 botanicals, it includes fruits and herbs native to forest, and it naturally has a more complex flavour, between peppery spices, sweet flowers, bitter fruit and more, making it ideal to be enjoyed with a tonic alone.
Gift some summer sun to your loved ones with Malfy’s Gin Originale. There’s a mediterranean aroma of classic juniper and anise that jump from the glass, while the flavour has an almost salty, dry, tone with hints of citrus. Everything is handpicked, and they source their water from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy.
Celebrate with the finest Champagne...
Nyetimber makes sparkling wines as delicious as anyone. The Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs edition is perfect for toasting at Christmas, with an aroma of lemon sherbert and honeysuckle that lead into fresh pastry and vanilla characters. There are also scrumptious hints of green apple. A festive bottle for your Christmas dinner.
That distinctive red stripe is a marker of great taste—commemoration the Légion d’Honneur. G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge is a satisfying, crisp champagne, with a dominant 45% blend of Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier; befitting of a Reims-based house. Ideal for special occasions.
Since 1776, Louis Roederer still ranks among the Champagne’s regions finest houses. The Louis Roederer 244 NV is a great champagne to have on hand, or to give to a loved one, thanks to its versatility. The tasting notes are deep: a bouquet of ripe fruits and citrus, with a rich, robust texture. Curiously, the flavour is underpinned by the house’s characteristic smoky notes. One for the connoisseurs.
Wines for the cellar or the festive dinner table...
Penfolds are something of a favourite at Gentleman’s Journal—with their Australian vintages offering a complex selection of wines. For the festive season, we especially love Penfolds Bin 95, which has a deep and meaty Shiraz fruit on the nose, and is rich and spicy on the palette. It’s ripe and satisfying, and pairs excellently with your Christmas dinner.
If you enjoy their bestselling Whispering Angel, Caves De'Esclans Rock Angel, 2022 is a step-up that is perfect for serious rosé lovers. It has a more complex taste profile, and a freshness that allows for considerable length on the palette. It’s an ideal, and thoughtful, bottle for gifting.
Berry Bros. & Rudd are always a sign of great taste. The Berry Bros. & Rudd Extra Ordinary Claret is just that—a more structured vintage than their popular Good Ordinary Claret, coming from the Graves region on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. You can expect plump and juicy flavours, with velvety tannins. The perfect match for a roast dinner.
If they have a particular knack for Cognac...
Nothing warms the cockles more than a fine cognac. Delamain offer among the best on the market, and Delamain Pale & Dry XO Centenaire has a fruity, floral taste, with notes of apricot and vanilla. An evolution of the XO edition, this was made to celebrate the house’s 100th anniversary, and has a more intense flavour profile.
Whoever you decide to give Louis XIII’s Classic Cognac too must be someone very special indeed. It has long been the ultimate expression of the finest eaux-de-vie, with a blend sourced from Grand Champagne terroir. Better yet, Louis XIII allows customers to personalise their decanter and engrave a message. A gift they will cherish for years to come.
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 wrong—especially as a present. This is a bold, rich cognac that is accessible for all palettes.
Rums that bring some sunshine over the festive season...
The brainchild of actor Harrison Osterfield, HAMA's Signature Rum is all about doing rum differently: distilled in Jamaica with the purest British water. This is a white rum that not only tastes crisp and flavoursome, but looks brilliant on a bar cart thanks to the bottle’s minimalist design.
The Eminente Gran Reserva 10 Year Old Version is a unique blend of big, fruity Cuban aguardiente with lighter molasses. It is aged in white oak before finishing in French oak casks for a further three months, and after ten years of maturing in tropical climates, develops a profile of fresh fruit, vanilla and baking spices. An uplifting tipple to share with your friends and family.
Another striking bottle for your cabinet. But in its complexity and elegance, Vapoura Gold is also ideal for mixing—smooth, with a rich, velvety mouth-feel and a swish of vanilla and caramel. It is a perfect present for those who enjoy their rum, but want to step-up to a superior bottle.
Bundles and sets for everyone to share...
Give the gift of variety this Christmas with MOTH’s Full House Bundle of superior canned cocktails. Either as a gift or to bring to the Christmas party, this collection includes the signature Mojito, Aperitivo Spritz, French 75, and Pina Colada cans—enough variety to keep everyone pleased.
Bottled cocktails are also all the rage, and Edmunds do among the best available—with a more refined selection that includes Chambord Bramble, Metropolitans, and Amaretto Sours. The Edmunds Bestseller Collection brings six of the best together, meaning that you’ll be able to enjoy the full bar experience without departing from the dinner table.
If you're serving G&Ts, Double Dutch’s Party Starter Pack is the premium choice for tonic. Their flavourful selection is essential for Christmas gatherings, and everyone can pair their gin with a choice of fruity flavours. The set includes more than tonic, though, with a branded bottle opener, cushion, paper cups, and two cases of their excellent drink.
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