There’s not much time left to get your holiday shopping done. Don’t make another gift faux pas like you did last year and the year before that by giving a friend or family member a crummy Christmas present that they’ll end up selling on Facebook Marketplace on December 26th. Make the wise decision of giving the gift of alcohol. It could be the perfect gift because if they don’t like it, they’ll offer it to you to enjoy the next time you’re over their house.
Here are 22 great alcohol gift ideas for the holiday season for every budget, whether you’re looking for bourbon, tequila, cognac, rum, vodka, or whiskey.
Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Anejo Tequila (MSRP: $110) – This handcrafted triple-distilled tequila from 100% blue weber agave develops a sophisticated vanilla-y flavor because it is aged for five years in lightly charred French white oak barrels. Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Añejo Tequila provides a smooth and warm feeling on the tongue with sweet hints of spices. It took home a double gold medal at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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Corralejo 99,000 Horas Anejo Tequila (MSRP: $60) – This anejo tequila gets its name from the number of hours it takes to produce this agave spirit. Corralejo 99,000 Horas Anejo Tequila is aged for 18 months in oak barrels from Kentucky. Bright fruity notes along with woodsy flavor come to life in this golden copper tequila.
Azunia Black (MSRP: $110) – This ultra smooth anejo is aged two years in American oak barrels, which give the spirit a saccharine yet complex and balanced flavor. Azunia Black is made frmo 100% pure Weber Blue Agave comes from the family-owned-and-operated Rancho Miravalle estate in Jalisco, Mexico, where it is roast in traditional clay hornos (outdoor adobe ovens).
Clase Azul Ultra (MSRP: $1,700) – This top-of-the-line tequila is not only exceptional inside in the bottle, but on the outside as well. The gorgeous decanter is decorated with three precious metals: pure platinum, a .925 sterling silver agave medallion, and a 24-carat gold label. Inside the bottle is something even more precious, hand-selected organic Weber Blue Agave that have all matured for at least nine years and then slow-cooked for 72 hours in traditional stone ovens. An intense filtration process removes all impurities before the dark amber alcohol is aged for five years in hand-selected second-use sherry wood casks from Spain. The luxurious Clase Azul Ultra is only produced in limited quantities and is said to have hints of wood, fruit, caramel, and vanilla.
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Garrison Brothers Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey (MSRP: $90) – This bourbon comes to us from the great state of Texas, created by the Garrison Brothers, the first and oldest legal whiskey distillery in the Lone Star State. The at least 51% mash bill of corn provides this bourbon along with scorching heat of Texas deliver a sweet honeysuckle-like flavor. Garrison Brothers Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged three years in charred American white oak barrels that provide a rich, dark bourbon that is warm and buttery smooth.
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Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series Limited Release (MSRP: $60) – The gift of Maker’s Mark would be a splendid gesture to anyone, but why not make it even more special? This limited-edition whiskey ups the ante with thoughtfulness and flavor. The 2019 Limited Release known as “RC6” boasts a complex and intriguing palate because they add 10 toasted wood staves inside the barrel of fully matured Maker’s Mark at cask strength. The alcohol is aged a little longer to let the new woodsy features seep into the spirit. The special edition Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series Limited Release RC6 comes in at 108.2 proof, renders fruity flavors of apple and banana with notes of burnt brown sugar and baking spices. There are only 255 barrels of RC6, so once it is gone, it is gone forever.
Oak & Eden Bourbon & Spire (MSRP: $40) – This is one of the more creative and eye-catching spirits in recent memory. Oak & Eden Bourbon & Spire comes with a 5-inch-long spiral cut piece of toasted American Oak inside the bottle. So despite being taken out of the barrel, the 45% ABV boubon is continually being exposed to the smokey oak. The bourbon boasts hints of honey, vanilla, and sweet coconut.
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Chocolate Malted Rye (MSRP: $150) – Chocolate bourbon? Your dreams have become a reality. While it is not exactly chocolate, it does have a rich chocolately taste. “The rye malt was roasted to a level that its natural sugars caramelized into a dark chocolate note,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. “This special bourbon even surprised me as it matured in our warehouses. Each time I tasted it, the chocolate notes became even more pronounced.” The limited-edition 45.2% ABV Chocolate Malted Rye is made from 70% corn, 15% chocolate malted rye and 15% standard distillers malt that gives the drinker a long and chocolately finish.
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Old Forester 1897 Bottled In Bond (MSRP: $55) – This expression was created to honor the U.S. Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, that helped protect whiskey lovers to ensure what they were buying was actually whiskey and that the alcohol was aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years. The Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond, which is the second of the Old Forester Whiskey Row series, boasts flavors of warm roasted coffee, caramel, orange peel with a heated finish of pepper.
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Angel’s Envy Rye (MSRP: $90) – As soon as you open the bottle, your nose alerts the rest of your body that something incredible is on the way. The saccharine aroma gives a hint to the deliciousness that is about to be enjoyed. Angel’s Envy Rye is not just any boring old whiskey, it is a 95% rye that is finished up to 18 months in Caribbean XO Rum Casks that served as Cognac Casks before that. This cross-spirit mixing equals a sophisticated and complex 100 proof alcohol that flaunts sweet flavors of velvety maple syrup, sugar cookies, but balanced out by the rye’s earthy and cinnamony spice. Angel’s Envy Rye received a 94 score from Wine Enthusiast.
Starward Nova Whisky (MSRP: $55) – When you think of places that produce whisky, places such as the grand US of A, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and Japan come to mind. But this whisky comes to you from Australia. Not only does Starward Nova Whisky come from a surprising country, but it is matured in atypical barrels. This Aussie whisky from Melbourne is aged for three years in wine barrels that previously housed Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. The wine barrels give the whisky a bright and fruity flavor. Starward Nova was a Double Gold medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits competition and earned a 92-point rating from Wine Enthusiast.
Bulleit Barrel Strength Bourbon (MSRP: $50) – Coming in at 119 proof, this Kentucky bourbon is made from 68% mash bill, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley. Despite the high alcohol content, Bulleit Barrel Strength Bourbon is sweet on the nose with vanilla and butterscotch notes. On the palate, you can expect the tastes of citrus, cocoa, dark fruits, balanced with an oakiness and spice from the rye. The potent spirit won a gold medal at the San Francisco Spirit Competition.
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Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage (MSRP: $75) – You know the name, you know the brand, but this limited edition release provides a new wrinkle on the timeless whiskey. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage is aged an extra year at the highest point in the Tennessee distillery’s barrelhouse inside new toasted American oak casks at a low temperature. This 100-proof iteration of the classic American whiskey is richer and deeper with a unique flavor profile of vanilla, caramel, baking spices, and maple syrup.
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Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple (MSRP: $24) – Inject some crisp apple flavor into your cocktails with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple. JD took apple liqueur made from real Granny Smith, McIntosh, and Red Delicious apples and blended it with their classic Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. Jack Daniel’s Apple comes in at 35% ABV with an unmistakably crisp green apple flavor with hints of cinnamon and notes of caramel.
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Old Fashioned Watershed (MSRP: $45) – The Old Fashioned is arguably the most exceptional cocktail of all-time, but you may not always have enough time or the ingredients to make your own Old Fashioned. Watershed saves you the trip to the store to buy cherries, oranges, and bitters. That is because this bottle of 90-proof bourbon is already pre-mixed with all of the sweet cherry and warm cinnamon flavors from a professional mixologist. Simply pop open the bottle, pour over ice… and voilà! If you want to get fancy, garnish with an orange peel and a cherry to make everyone believe you made the Old Fashioned yourself.
Slane Triple Casked Irish Whisky (MSRP: $29) – This triple-casked whisky is aged at least three years in virgin oak, whisky and bourbon barrels from Brown-Forman in Kentucky and Oloroso sherry casks from Spain. You’ll get flavors of raisins, slight clove and allspice from the 90 proof Slane Irish Whisky.
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D’usse VSOP Cognac (MSRP: $55) – Get ready to do some sipping. This full-bodied 40% ABV spirit in a regal decanter is aged at least four and a half years in the cellars of France’s Château de Cognac and serves up dried fruit, almond, and cinnamon flavors. D’usse VSOP Cognac won Double Gold San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2019 and was endorsed by Jay-Z.
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Russian Standard Platinum (MSRP: $25) – When you are seeking a quality vodka, you start in Russia. If you couldn’t tell by the name, that’s where Russian Standard Platinum hails from. This vodka from St. Petersburg is ultra-clean thanks to its proprietary silver filtration system. A very slight citrus zest is tremendous on the rocks or a Russian Mule.
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Gray Whale Gin (MSRP: $43) – Alcohol is a great gift, but an alcohol that also does good in real life is even better. Golden State Distillery gives a portion of Gray Whale Gin sales to Oceana, a nonprofit working to protect and restore the world’s oceans. This small-batch gin is not too bitter or heavy on the juniper. It uses ingredients from California, including Baja citrus, Big Sur juniper, coastal fir trees, fresh mint, umami kombu sea kelp, and an almond finish.
Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum (MSRP: $40) – If you are looking to give a holiday gift to a literary enthusiast, you may want to consider this rum that is inspired by the Ernest Hemingway and named after his boat. Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum comes to you from Hemingway’s old stomping grounds in Key West. This 86 proof dark rum made from sugar cane is aged in bourbon and port casks, then finished in sherry casks. Get swept away in sophisticated and sweet notes of rum raisin and dark fruits.
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Zaya Gran Reserva 12 Rum (MSRP: $25) – You don’t have to spend a lot of money to buy someone a quality bottle of booze. This very affordable dark rum from Trinidad and Tobago is perfect for getting in the holiday spirit and making some coquitos. Zaya Gran Reserva 12 Rum is a blend of 12 select and aged Trinidadian rums from virgin sugar cane provides a sumptuous vanilla flavor with the warmth of cocoa. The rum won a gold medal at the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition in 2018.
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Somrus Chai Cream (MSRP: $25) – If you’re looking to give the gift of alcohol to someone who’s not a big drinker, may we suggest Somrus Chai Cream. This creamy and sweet rum-based liqueur that was given 94 Points by The Wine Enthusiast is fantastic for spicing up coffee or eggnog. The spirit adds exotic flavors such as cardamom, turmeric, pistachios, saffron, almonds, and rose petals to your otherwise boring drinks.
Goose Island 2019 Bourbon County Stout Vertical Collection ($50) – Name a better duo than bourbon and beer, I’ll wait. The first innovators of combining beer and bourbon is Goose Island. The Chicago brewery has been making their Bourbon County Stout since 2008, since then the release of this coveted barrel-aged brews has become an event with crowds lining up on Black Friday to get the first taste of the bourbon beer. For the 2019 holiday season, Goose Island is offering its Bourbon County Vertical Collection with one 16.9 ounce bottle of 2017, 2018, and 2019 vintages of their popular boozy beer. The Bourbon County Stout Vertical Collection is the first time that the brewery offered three different years of the Bourbon County series. This year, Goose Island released eight different Bourbon County Stout varieties: Bourbon County Stout, Bourbon County Double Barrel Stout (aged in 12-year-old Elijah Craig barrels), 2-year Reserve Bourbon County Stout, Reserve Rye Bourbon County Stout, Proprietor’s Bourbon County Stout, Bourbon County Wheatwine Ale, Bourbon County Café de Olla Stout, and Bourbon County Mon Chéri Stout. The creamy bourbon stouts pack a hearty ABV and have a variety of flavors, including fudge, rich chocolate, almond, dark fruits, vanilla, and leather.
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Need even more great gift ideas? Check out our holiday alcohol gift guide from last year that has plenty of top-shelf spirits for every budget:
21 Great Alcohol Gift Ideas – 2018 Gift Guide For Discerning Drinkers
The BroBible team writes about gear that we think you want. Occasionally, we write about items that are a part of one of our affiliate partnerships and we will get a percentage of the revenue from sales.