Fine wines, cocktails, whisky and bubbles, these are the things that make the holidays go with a swing. Whether you’re buying that special bottle for a loved one, or simply want to enjoy a refreshing glug or two, you can’t go wrong with a boozy gift.
For this TLR festive drinks gift guide, we’ve selected both rare libations that are well worth seeking out, as well as party favourites that are just plain fun to quaff. Our advice? Buy them all…if you can!
Yamazaki Japanese Single Malt Whisky Aged 10 Years
Japan’s original distillery began producing malt whisky in 1923, and enjoys an enviable international reputation. Located on the outskirts of Kyoto, it’s renowned for its golden hue and medium body.
An immense gift for connoisseurs, this now discontinued version of the Yamazaki 10 Year Old is becoming increasingly rare, a collectors item that should be snapped up immediately when found. It has a nose of spiced cloves and candied orange peel, and offers a lasting muddle of of orange marmalade and honey sweetness.
If you’re looking for a collector’s item with a long-lasting, memorable finish, this rarity is well worth seeking out.
Of course, if you can’t find this gorgeous release, there are other Japanese whiskies available on Amazon worth investing in.
Dom Perignon champagne Vintage 2008
For that special occasion (and aren’t all occasions special?), you simply must have a champagne of note in the chiller, and they don’t come more notable than Dom Perignon. Our chosen 2008 vintage harks back to a year dominated by cloudy skies, but notable for a sudden shift in September which led to a late ripening of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, and ultimately an intense, aromatic, Smokey champagne. Some have even hailed it as one of the greatest Dom Perignon’s widely available.
The gift box presentation is suitably lush, making this very much suitable for gifting. Prices for this vintage typically start around £200.
For an upscale alcohol-free alternative to champagne this festive season, sparkling tea specialists Saicho fit the bill perfectly, with flavours from India, China and Japan, and with beautiful gift boxes to boot. Try the Darjeeling bottle, with notes of mandarin, ginger and wood spice, the Jasmine sparkling tea, with its delicate floral aroma, or the green tea-flavoured Hojicha variety – or even better, give a Mini Collection Pack this Christmas and sample all of the sparkling wine alternatives. Full size bottles £17.99, Saicho
Pirate’s Grog rum original miniatures gift set
Avast! For real rum lovers (or pirates), look no further than this chest full of real treasures, which is as tasty as it is fun. Beautifully presented in a handcrafted wooden box and complete with a personalised wax-sealed scroll if you order direct, this gift set boasts three different miniatures of Pirate’s Grog rums from the multi-award winning UK brand: Five Year, No.13 and Spiced (our favourite for Christmas cocktails).
Sometimes a drink comes along which makes us say, why on earth did we not start enjoying this until now? Canvino is one of those revolutionary treats. Launched this year, this lightly sparkling canned wine is already award-winning… and with good reason. The new way to enjoy sparkling wine, this all-natural and 100% recyclable option means you can enjoy a perfectly portioned individual glass at a time, without having to pop an entire bottle. The result? Fresh fizziness and cooled cans, always on hand. This magnum pack is ideal for party season, and features a mix of the easy-drinking Bianco flavour, which is a crisp, dry medium-bodied sparkling white wine, and the Rosé, a medium-dry pale blush. The festive season just got some serious fizz. £24.99, houseofcanvino.com
Smirnoff Mango & Passionfruit flavoured vodka
Christmas shopping for a cocktail connoisseur? Add this to your list ASAP. We’re obsessed with the all-new flavour combination of sweet mango and sour passionfruit from the world’s number one vodka distillery. As a gift for cocktail lovers, this super smooth tipple is guaranteed to add a delightful splash of colour to their bar cart – and for your own Christmas cocktails, may we recommend serving this in a Passionfruit Martini or mixed with lemonade during party season.
This gin lovers box set will go down a treat. A 12 tipple collection curated by Drinks by the Dram, it offers a dozen 30ml wax-sealed drams of some of the finest gins available. Each is hidden behind a door (this isn’t an advent calendar, so you can open in any order at any time!), making for some fun exploration – and providing a chance to sample some new flavours.
Included is Bathtub Gin, Four Pillars Rare Dry, Herno Old Tom, London No. 1 Original Blue, St George Terroir, Kyrö Gin and Moonshot Gin. As for the rest, well, why spoil the fun?
If you want to surprise someone special with something special, consider St-Germain, the world’s first French elderflower liqueur. Made from handpicked elderflower blossoms, it’s deliciously versatile, and can be used to enhance any number of cocktails.
We recommend the St-Germain Spritz, comprising 40ml of St-Germain, 60ml of prosecco and 60ml of sparkling water. That’s a party in your mouth right there.
The St-Germain limited edition gift kit
The good news Xmas gift-givers, is that St-Germain has partnered with London florist Hedges & Flowers, to create the St-Germain Winter Bloom limited-edition bauble and Spritz kit. This includes four floral glass baubles, two art deco high ball glasses, a glass carafe and a jigger. Certain to put a smile on anyone’s face.
This Gin Tastes Like Christmas – Mulled Wine Gin Liqueur
Finally, we simply had to include this perfectly festive flavoured gin liqueur. Nothing tastes more like Christmas than mulled wine, but this festive gin takes those familiar spicy notes to another level, combining cinnamon and cloves with sweet vanilla, clementine and a drop of juniper. Simply add tonic for the perfect seasonal upgrade on your classic G&T.
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
There’s a new reason to book a table in Mayfair – and this one comes with serious heat. Opening this April, MIKO Mei Fair is the latest launch from restaurateur Samyukta Nair – the force behind Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, MiMi Mei Fair and Nipotina. Taking over the ground floor of MiMi Mei Fair’s Georgian townhouse,…
English whisky continues to gather momentum, and in Bristol, Circumstance Distillery is emerging as one of its more intriguing voices. Still relatively young, the category has moved beyond curiosity status, with a growing number of producers exploring what English conditions, and sensibilities, can bring to the spirit. For the curious, English whisky must comply with…
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit…
The Luxe Review 
Fine wines, cocktails, whisky and bubbles, these are the things that make the holidays go with a swing. Whether you’re buying that special bottle for a loved one, or simply want to enjoy a refreshing glug or two, you can’t go wrong with a boozy gift.
For this TLR festive drinks gift guide, we’ve selected both rare libations that are well worth seeking out, as well as party favourites that are just plain fun to quaff. Our advice? Buy them all…if you can!
For more luxury Christmas gift ideas below £100 click here.
Yamazaki Japanese Single Malt Whisky Aged 10 Years
Japan’s original distillery began producing malt whisky in 1923, and enjoys an enviable international reputation. Located on the outskirts of Kyoto, it’s renowned for its golden hue and medium body.
An immense gift for connoisseurs, this now discontinued version of the Yamazaki 10 Year Old is becoming increasingly rare, a collectors item that should be snapped up immediately when found. It has a nose of spiced cloves and candied orange peel, and offers a lasting muddle of of orange marmalade and honey sweetness.
If you’re looking for a collector’s item with a long-lasting, memorable finish, this rarity is well worth seeking out.
£529, amazon.co.uk
Of course, if you can’t find this gorgeous release, there are other Japanese whiskies available on Amazon worth investing in.
Dom Perignon champagne Vintage 2008
For that special occasion (and aren’t all occasions special?), you simply must have a champagne of note in the chiller, and they don’t come more notable than Dom Perignon. Our chosen 2008 vintage harks back to a year dominated by cloudy skies, but notable for a sudden shift in September which led to a late ripening of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, and ultimately an intense, aromatic, Smokey champagne. Some have even hailed it as one of the greatest Dom Perignon’s widely available.
The gift box presentation is suitably lush, making this very much suitable for gifting. Prices for this vintage typically start around £200.
£220, Amazon.co.uk
Saicho non-alcoholic sparkling tea
For an upscale alcohol-free alternative to champagne this festive season, sparkling tea specialists Saicho fit the bill perfectly, with flavours from India, China and Japan, and with beautiful gift boxes to boot. Try the Darjeeling bottle, with notes of mandarin, ginger and wood spice, the Jasmine sparkling tea, with its delicate floral aroma, or the green tea-flavoured Hojicha variety – or even better, give a Mini Collection Pack this Christmas and sample all of the sparkling wine alternatives.
Full size bottles £17.99, Saicho
Pirate’s Grog rum original miniatures gift set
Avast! For real rum lovers (or pirates), look no further than this chest full of real treasures, which is as tasty as it is fun. Beautifully presented in a handcrafted wooden box and complete with a personalised wax-sealed scroll if you order direct, this gift set boasts three different miniatures of Pirate’s Grog rums from the multi-award winning UK brand: Five Year, No.13 and Spiced (our favourite for Christmas cocktails).
£32, Amazon.co.uk
Canvino magnum pack
Sometimes a drink comes along which makes us say, why on earth did we not start enjoying this until now? Canvino is one of those revolutionary treats. Launched this year, this lightly sparkling canned wine is already award-winning… and with good reason. The new way to enjoy sparkling wine, this all-natural and 100% recyclable option means you can enjoy a perfectly portioned individual glass at a time, without having to pop an entire bottle. The result? Fresh fizziness and cooled cans, always on hand. This magnum pack is ideal for party season, and features a mix of the easy-drinking Bianco flavour, which is a crisp, dry medium-bodied sparkling white wine, and the Rosé, a medium-dry pale blush. The festive season just got some serious fizz.
£24.99, houseofcanvino.com
Smirnoff Mango & Passionfruit flavoured vodka
Christmas shopping for a cocktail connoisseur? Add this to your list ASAP. We’re obsessed with the all-new flavour combination of sweet mango and sour passionfruit from the world’s number one vodka distillery. As a gift for cocktail lovers, this super smooth tipple is guaranteed to add a delightful splash of colour to their bar cart – and for your own Christmas cocktails, may we recommend serving this in a Passionfruit Martini or mixed with lemonade during party season.
Premium Gin Collection
£16.50, Tesco
This gin lovers box set will go down a treat. A 12 tipple collection curated by Drinks by the Dram, it offers a dozen 30ml wax-sealed drams of some of the finest gins available. Each is hidden behind a door (this isn’t an advent calendar, so you can open in any order at any time!), making for some fun exploration – and providing a chance to sample some new flavours.
Included is Bathtub Gin, Four Pillars Rare Dry, Herno Old Tom, London No. 1 Original Blue, St George Terroir, Kyrö Gin and Moonshot Gin. As for the rest, well, why spoil the fun?
£39, masterofmalt.com
St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
If you want to surprise someone special with something special, consider St-Germain, the world’s first French elderflower liqueur. Made from handpicked elderflower blossoms, it’s deliciously versatile, and can be used to enhance any number of cocktails.
We recommend the St-Germain Spritz, comprising 40ml of St-Germain, 60ml of prosecco and 60ml of sparkling water. That’s a party in your mouth right there.
The good news Xmas gift-givers, is that St-Germain has partnered with London florist Hedges & Flowers, to create the St-Germain Winter Bloom limited-edition bauble and Spritz kit. This includes four floral glass baubles, two art deco high ball glasses, a glass carafe and a jigger. Certain to put a smile on anyone’s face.
St-Germain alone: £26, Amazon.co.uk
This Gin Tastes Like Christmas – Mulled Wine Gin Liqueur
Finally, we simply had to include this perfectly festive flavoured gin liqueur. Nothing tastes more like Christmas than mulled wine, but this festive gin takes those familiar spicy notes to another level, combining cinnamon and cloves with sweet vanilla, clementine and a drop of juniper. Simply add tonic for the perfect seasonal upgrade on your classic G&T.
£27.99, Firebox.com
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
Mayfair’s hottest new Thai opening, MIKO Mei Fair, brings fire-led cooking to Curzon Street
There’s a new reason to book a table in Mayfair – and this one comes with serious heat. Opening this April, MIKO Mei Fair is the latest launch from restaurateur Samyukta Nair – the force behind Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, MiMi Mei Fair and Nipotina. Taking over the ground floor of MiMi Mei Fair’s Georgian townhouse,…
Bristol-based Circumstance Distillery rides English whisky wave with uncommon core range
English whisky continues to gather momentum, and in Bristol, Circumstance Distillery is emerging as one of its more intriguing voices. Still relatively young, the category has moved beyond curiosity status, with a growing number of producers exploring what English conditions, and sensibilities, can bring to the spirit. For the curious, English whisky must comply with…
Loch Lomond Whiskies marks The 154th Open with Tawny Port and Malbec-finished single malts
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit…
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