Food & Drink -- 7 hours ago
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 – this festive season
- Words: Gentleman's Journal
There are few greater pleasures in the festive season than the raising of a well-charged glass. December is, after all, a time that rewards generosity to oneself as much as to others, and the drinks cabinet becomes a stage for ceremony, celebration, and an agreeable amount of indulgence. This year’s crop of bottles spans the refined, the rarefied, and the richly characterful: a curated selection designed to elevate every toast, every dinner, every long winter evening by the fire.
Below, discover the finest English sparklers, heavyweight whiskies, crystalline vodkas, convivial gins and more; all chosen for their craftsmanship, charisma and Christmas-ready charm.
English Sparkling Wine
English fizz continues its rise, and this trio represents the very best of homegrown sparkle. Nyetimber’s 1086 remains a masterclass in elegance, a prestige cuvée with the sort of structure and finesse that rivals any Champagne house. Gusbourne’s Blanc de Noirs 2020 brings depth and poise, offering a rich, Pinot-led profile ideal for Christmas morning toasts. And Harrow & Hope completes the set with its Blanc de Blancs 2020 from Jeroboams, a lithe, citrus-bright bottling that showcases the chalky brilliance of Buckinghamshire terroir. Together, they form the perfect festive flight.
Wine
From crisp whites to winter-weight reds, this section is tailor-made for the holiday table. Rock Angel’s rosé delivers sun-kissed Provençal elegance - a pale drop with more swagger than its delicate hue suggests. Penfolds’ Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2023 brings weight and depth, a robust companion to turkey or roasted meats. And for those who appreciate finesse and terroir, Cult Wines’ suggestion, a Peter Jakob Kuhn, Oestricher Doosberg Riesling GG, Rheingau 2018 offers a refined, mineral-driven pour, lending beautiful precision to any festive feast.
Scotch Whisky
If the Christmas toast turns into a slow, reflective dram by the fire, these Scotch whiskies belong on your shelf. Glenfarclas’ 12-Year-Old is a reliable single malt - balanced, rich, and perfectly accessible. For something more elevated, The Macallan’s 15-Year-Old Double Cask delivers sherry-oak depth and gravitas befitting a grown-up celebration. And Glenmorangie’s Infinita 18-Year-Old brings elegance and complex maturity, transforming a simple sip into a moment worth savouring.
American Whiskey
Across the Atlantic, the bourbons and ryes offer their own kind of festive warmth. Woodford Reserve’s Double Oaked is a deep, opulent bourbon ideal for sipping neat. Star Hill Farm’s Wheat Whisky offers a grain-led, heritage-rich variation; and the boldly flavoured WhistlePig 12-Year-Old Rye caps off the selection, perfect for the whiskey lover who prefers spice, complexity and a long, lingering finish.
Gin
For those whose bar trolley needs a seasonal upgrade, gin remains a timeless choice. Sipsmith’s London Dry Gin (with its distinctive telephone gift box) is a classic; crisp, balanced and endlessly mixable. Cap Gin brings a modern expression with craft-minded flair. And No.3’s Organic London Dry Gin marries purity with juniper-forward precision - superb neat, with tonic, or forming the backbone of a festive martini or Negroni.
Tequila
For the agave aficionado, these bottles strike a perfect balance between luxury and character. Tequila Enemigo’s Enemigo 89 Añejo Cristalino offers refined smoothness and crystalline purity, ideal for sipping slowly rather than shooting. Patrón’s El Cielo adds a bright, super-premium expression with exceptional clarity, while Don Julio’s iconic 1942 stands tall as a gifting favourite, silky, rich and undeniably celebratory.
Rum
For those who prefer their festive spirit with a little tropical warmth, this trio delivers. Don Papa’s Single Island Rum brings lush sweetness and exotic spice, a playful crowd-pleaser. The 1888 Double-Aged Rum from Brugal offers deeper layers of maturity from its double-wood ageing, ideal for slow sipping. Meanwhile, Mount Gay’s XO Barbados Golden Rum showcases the Caribbean’s craftsmanship at its finest, with complex aromas and a velvety finish perfect for fireside evenings, or a punchy Dark ‘n’ Stormy.
Vodka
When purity, smoothness and versatility matter, these vodkas excel. Sapling’s Climate Positive Vodka offers both a refined flavour and an eco-minded ethos. While Belvedere’s Organic Vodka is polished and elegant, ideal chilled or in a minimalist highball. And Beluga’s Noble Vodka provides a luxurious, crystalline pour for those who prefer their spirits clean, cool, and quietly sophisticated.
Festive Favourites
Finally, for the connoisseur who deserves something exceptional, these classics shine. The legendary Louis XIII Classic Decanter is more than a drink, it’s an heirloom, steeped in centuries of heritage. Taylor’s 10-Year-Old Tawny Port brings warmth, richness and festive nostalgia. And Edmunds’ Negroni offers a ready-to-pour cocktail with bar-quality balance, ideal for the effortless host.
This Christmas, skip the predictable. These bottles, bold, considered and beautifully crafted, are not just drinks; they’re gestures of taste and celebration. Whether you gift them, share them or reserve them for a moment of evening solitude, each has the potential to turn a simple clink of glasses into something memorable.
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