The holidays call for special toasts, evoking the need for an even more special bottle. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a wine lover or whisky enthusiast, our selection of coveted bottles will delight any connoisseur. And if you’re looking for charitable or nostalgic gifts or a present for the homebody in your life, check out our other holiday gift guides.
See also: The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
Everything is more fun in twos! Give the gift of variety with two Mayacamas Cabernets. The 2007 opens with notes of dried violet and lavender, while the 2011 is fresh and elegant with notes of black currant, blackberry caramel and cedar. Sign up here to gain access to the purchase link. $465
Sure, Yamazaki 12 is great and a bit more accessible, but if you want to really give a whisky lover something special, you’ll have to track down Yamazaki 18. The highly sought-after Japanese single malt whisky is rich and smooth with hints of autumn fruit. Hunt one down by searching Dekanta or Wine Searcher. Varies
Frank Sinatra meets Jack Daniel's in the special edition release of Sinatra Select. Suffused with tasting notes of butterscotch, cinnamon and brown sugar that balance perfectly with layers of oak, caramel and smoke, the whiskey is the ultimate holiday gift for the spirit lover. And if you want to try it "Frank's Way," two ounces of Sinatra Select with three rocks and a splash of water will do the trick. Varies. (Sponsored by Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select.)
In a market saturated by celebrity tequilas, pivot your spirit needs to Clase Azul. Dubbed the brand’s icon and pioneer, the Tequila Clase Azul Reposado holds slow-cooked blue agave-infused tequila that has been aged for eight months in bourbon barrels, offering flavors of hazelnut, fanilla, cloves and cinnamon. The ceramic decanter comes in the traditional blue-and-white feathered paint design— each crafted individually by hand by communities of Mexican artisans. $159.99
Make the party portable with this premier nonalcoholic beverage. Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz Premix Drinks capture the essence of a sparkling Spritz through aromas of rhubarb, bitter orange and Mediterranean herbs that taste like sunshine. $84.99
Straight from Napa Valley, Far Niente’s dimensional 2018 Chardonnay is a golden and silky wine with citrus top notes and a creamy texture. Boxed in a small engraved wooden trunk, the wine comes from one of Wine Country’s top tier vineyards, making it a truly special gift. $160
This limited edition sees French urban movement creators Laurent and Larry Bourgeois— better known as professional dance duo Les Twins— capture the pulse of street culture, freestyle dance and music for Hennessy’s first-ever fashion capsule collection. Choose from Lil Beast or Ca Blaze. $74
The holidays are the perfect time to indulge, and what better way than to splurge on a bottle approved by Beyoncé and Shawn Carter? From Jay-Z’s own champagne brand, Ace of Spade’s rosé is a dry, full-bodied champagne with notes of apple and berry. $520
Looking for a tried-and-true bourbon that has that special edge perfect for a gift? Look no further than the Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whisky. This mild selection is well-balanced with roasted corn, toast and raisin and its sherry is composed of walnut, fig and candied fruit flavors. It finishes with notes of caramel and butterscotch, making it perfect for any Old Fashioned lover. $89.99
A 75-25 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, this complex Argentinian wine is the perfect complement to a special holiday dinner of filet mignon. Oak and freshness swell in harmony for a long-lasting finish that will delight any vino aficionado. $109.99
Photography by: Courtesy: Mayacamas; House of Suntory; Jack Daniels; Clase Azul; Lyre's; Far Niente Winery; Hennessy Very Special Limited Edition by Les Twins; Reserve Bar/Armand De Brignac; Solera Aged Bourbon; Catena Zapata
