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No One Will Ever Guess This Luxury Spirits Gift Was Bought Last-Minute

We promise we won’t tell.

by Anna Buckman

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Originally Published: Dec. 21, 2022

Courtesy of The Glenlivet and Desmond & Dempsey

We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

Not to stress you out or anything, but at this point, there’s no denying it: It’s officially crunch time for holiday gifts. The moment for getting ahead on your shopping list has long passed; at this point, we’ve moved into the last-minute dash to secure something to wrap. That said, you’ve got no real reason to fret. Because when all else fails, a luxury alcohol gift will pretty much satisfy anyone over 21 — and often, these simply require a trip to the nearest liquor store or (even better) a quick home delivery.

Plus, you don’t even have to think of these presents as an afterthought. Spirits and wine of the luxury variety feel special and bougie, even if you literally bought them on the way to your gathering. And obviously, you know they’ll be enjoyed if you’re giving a bottle of something good to someone who drinks — often for a very long period of time, too.

If you waited until the last minute (and even if you didn’t), the list of options ahead are some of TZR’s favorites for giving. From choices you can grab off the shelf in a moment of panic to picks worth ordering (and maybe waiting a little longer for), here are the luxury alcohol gifts we recommend giving this holiday season.

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The Glenlivet x Desmond & Dempsey Nightcap Women’s

The Glenlivet x Desmond & Dempsey Nightcap Women’s

Giving a nice bottle of alcohol is always a good gift option, but this kit seriously takes that up a notch. Not only does it features The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Whisky, it also comes with a set of Desmond & Dempsey pajamas and a sleeping mask (which I can personally confirm are extremely comfortable and cute). That way, your giftee can sip their whisky in style all evening long.

Zacapa XO x Baccarat Holiday Gift Set

Zacapa XO x Baccarat Holiday Gift Set

Your gift recipient will feel so bougie when they receive this set, which contains the luxurious Zacapa XO (that you can get engraved), Harmonie Tumblers by Baccarat, and a greeting card.

Woodford Reserve 8 Day Cocktail Advent Calendar

Williams Sonoma

Woodford Reserve 8 Day Cocktail Advent Calendar

It’s impossible to go wrong with anything from Woodford Reserve, but this advent calendar from the brand, featuring artisanal mixers and barrel-aged bitters, is especially fun.

PiggyBank Rye Aged 10 Years

PiggyBank Rye Aged 10 Years

This limited-edition PiggyBank Rye Aged 10 Years comes bottled in a pig decanter based on a 19th-century Berkshire Bitter Pig — so it’s not only a good drink, but a fun piece of decor as well.

Sinpatch Vodka

Tenmile Distillery

Anyone you know who loves a good vodka martini will certainly appreciate a new, unique bottle. Tenmile Distillery’s is a solid option: The brand ferments and distills local grain grown specifically for the purpose of making its vodka, and filters through activated charcoal made from its own recycled oak whisky barrels to create the product.

Ten To One Dark Rum

Ten To One Dark Rum

This sophisticated bottle of dark rum looks cool, yes. However, it also features a blend of “eight-year-old Barbados, Dominican, and Trinidadian column still rums individually aged in ex-Bourbon American oak casks” combined with “high ester un-aged Jamaican pot still rum.” Whoever you give it to will be able to enjoy it in their favorite cocktails, but also alone for an elegant sipping experience.

Aplós Arise

You probably know at least one person who always participates in Dry January, so help them out with a great non-alcoholic option. Aplós is one of my personal favorites for booze-free spirits, and its new expression, Aplós Arise (which aims to elevate mood, stimulate brain function, and boost energy), is a perfect option for ringing in the New Year on a high note.

23 Year Old Grand Cru Single Malt Scotch Whisky

23 Year Old Grand Cru Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Glenfiddich Scotch whisky is already hard to beat, but this exclusive Glenfiddich expression takes things to the next level. It’s matured for 23 years in American and European oak casks and finished in rare French cuvée casks, making it a unique blend of flavors from Scotland and France and ideal for any celebrations.

Yellow Label Ice Jacket

Yellow Label Ice Jacket

Yes, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot is a great gift on its own. But make it even more special this year by gifting this modern mesh ice jacket (which includes the bottle, too). It’s made of recycled fibers and uses 3D knitting technology to keep any standard bottle of Yellow Label chilled. And, of course, it’s ultra chic.

Cocktail Box

Ghia is hands down one of the best spirits-free apéritifs out there. That said, don’t just gift a bottle (though that would surely be well-received). Give this cocktail box, which includes Ghia itself along with a pour spout, a handmade Totem Glass designed in collaboration with Sophie Lou Jacobsen, two glass stirrers, and two holiday coasters.

Casa Dragones Reposado

Casa Dragones Reposado

IMHO, there’s no better tequila for gifting than Casa Dragones — it’s not only amazing, but it looks and feels incredibly fancy as well. However, you can do one better and gift the Casa Dragones Reposado, a 100 percent Blue Agave Reposado tequila rested in new Mizunara oak casks (which, I can confirm, is truly delicious).

Premium Martini Kit

Premium Martini Kit

Kástra Elión is distilled from hand-picked Greek olives and grains curated and blended for the “perfect balanced flavor,” making it an ideal inclusion in this sleek martini kit.

Tobalá

Doña Vega Mezcal

Doña Vega was founded by Mexican-American entrepreneur Sonya Vega and is produced by a fifth-generation women-owned farm in a town outside Oaxaca, Mexico. Its Tobalá is its variety made for the mezcal connoisseur, featuring a “sweet nose, intoxicating range of flavors, and long, smooth finish.”

Italicus Bergamot Liqueur

Italicus Bergamot Liqueur

Introduce your Aperol-obsessed friend to a new (to them) Italian liqueur this year with Italicus. It’s unexpected and can be used in countless different ways — not to mention, it’s hard to find a prettier bottle than this to adorn a bar cart.

Hennessy Paradis

Hennessy Paradis

Paradis is an ultra-prestige offering from Hennessy containing eaux-de-vie blended into cognac. “Its superb display of coppery gold colours is an indication of the many years it has spent ageing in old casks,” goes the description. This one costs a pretty penny — but it will definitely be cherished by anyone who receives it and is a great addition to a collection.

This article was originally published on Dec. 21, 2022