Nothing says ‘I know you well’ than a bottle of someone’s favorite wine or spirit. Skip the fruit basket and go straight to the good stuff this holiday season. From limited-edition bourbon to gorgeously-wrapped wine and charitable vodka, we’ve got something for everyone in this Pursuitist 2014 Gift Guide.
We adore everything about this ultra-premium vodka ($102). Produced in France, and distilled six times in French copper stills traditionally used to produce Cognac, the super smooth spirit is gorgeously easy to drink. A bonus? It’s packaged in a glam gold bottle with tiger style cutout stripes that represent the spirit’s commitment to protecting the endangered African white tiger – proceeds from every bottle sold benefit the Panthera Foundation.
Solbeso
Does someone on your list have a bar so stocked, you just don’t know where you can possibly impress? We’ve got a spirit for you – Solbeso is the world’s first spirit made from a hand-selected blend of cacao fruit. A by-product of cocoa bean production, the aromatic cacao used to distill Solbeso is sustainably sourced from family farms in Peru, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic. Surprisingly, the 80-proof spirit doesn’t taste like chocolate at all – it offers a floral aroma and a light, almost citrusy flavor. A bonus? At $39.99, you can call this a hostess gift or great stocking stuffer.
Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle
What would the holidays be without a gorgeous bottle of bubbly? We love Laurent Perrier’s Grand Siecle ($150) as a special bottle on Christmas morning or for a special holiday supper. Bottled in a replica 17th century bottle in tribute to Louis XIV, kind of France during the “Great Century,” the wine offers a blend of different crus and vintages to make a best of the best blend that’s special enough to savor, yet accessible enough in price to enjoy without regret.
Know a wine lover? There’s no better way to bring over a special bottle for a holiday dinner than in Ruffino winery’s limited-edition Luminaria, which encases the 2011 Ruffino Modus. This gorgeous Super Tuscan is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Only 100 of these are available at reservebar.com for $89.99, so snag while you still can.
Troy & Sons Blonde Whiskey
Know a whiskey lover? They’ll die to try Troy & Sons. This super smooth whiskey ($43) by small batch moonshine producer Troy Ball out of Asheville, North Carolina is made from a blend of Turkey Red Wheat and White Corn and offers up silky smooth vanilla and caramel notes. This would make the perfect gift for your sassy blond girlfriend, but is also strong enough to stand up to a whiskey lover’s refined palate.
Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary
Cult favorite Wild Turkey is celebrating 60 years of Master Distiller Jimmy Russell’s time with the brand. To celebrate, his son, Eddie, created the “Diamond Anniversary” Edition ($125) that blends 13- to 16- year old whiskeys to form a beautiful, 91-proof spirit that offers notes of caramel, vanilla and a little oaky spice.
Know that nothing less than ultra-premium or custom will do? We’re all about Caskers, a sleek new website with three products we adore. The brand’s high-end concierge service sources ultra-premium spirits using a personal concierge to find anything you desire. Still not enough? Try their personalized private cask and bottle service, where you can custom-design a cask of whiskey to meet your exact specifications, or personalize a bottle of vodka, gin, tequila or rum. Prefer an ongoing service? The Casker’s Club offers three curated bottles of your favorite spirit delivered quarterly.
Don’t miss our other guides, here.