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Portrait of a young woman carrying shopping bags and Christmas presents during the festive season

The holiday season is here and along with the gifts to unpack, sporting events, and a family dinner, folks will probably be craving an adult beverage or two. Shifting things here at Spirit.Ed, we’ve got some bottles that’ll be perfect to gift for the 2024 holiday season.

Oddly enough, the gifts I usually get around this time of year are your usual gift cards, underwear, and the occasional scarf and gloves combo. I don’t think I’ve ever been given bottles of spirits or wine for the holidays, nor have I given any.  Since I want to change that this year and in the future, it was a treat to put together this quick holiday guide of bottles featuring premium spirits of all sorts.

Among the offerings below, I can safely state I’ve tried most of them and feel comfortable with the suggestions. Also, some of the bottles featured are lauded for their quality as sippers mostly but I’m a big fan of making a cocktail with whatever base you feel like.

For now, one of the brands below will hopefully become a new favorite of your loved one. Just be sure to have them share the goods with you. Lastly, if you do indulge in adult beverages this holiday season, please do so responsibly. I have so much more to share with you so let’s stick around for each other, okay?

Happy Holidays from the CASSIUS team.

Photo: Getty

Spirit.Ed: Check Out These Bottles For Gifting For The 2024 Holiday Season  was originally published on ionecassius.staging.go.ione.nyc

1. Barceló Imperial Rare Blends Porto Cask

Barceló Imperial Rare Blends Porto Cask Source:Barceló

Barceló Imperial Rare Blends showcases the premium stock of the rum brand along with unique finishes. In my travels, I haven’t had a rum finished in former port casks. Porto Cask is matured briefly in former Tawny 10 port casks, giving the rum a new dimension of flavors.

Learn more here.

2. Casa Noble Marques De Casa Noble Tequila

Casa Noble Marques De Casa Noble Tequila Source:Marques de Casa Noble

Casa Noble already produces a fantastic anejo and they’ve upped the ante with their premium Marques de Casa Noble tequila. You don’t shoot this one, you sip it slow.

Learn more here.

 

3. Cedar Ridge Distillery

Cedar Ridge Distillery Source:Cedar Ridge Distillery

Cedar Ridge Distillery has become one of my favorite whiskey producers in the States and I’m especially fond of the brand’s rye whiskey. With the American single malt category expanding, Master Distiller Murphy Quint has the brand’s fourth limited edition whiskey, The QuintEssential Special Release:  Wine Club – First Meeting. This expression is finished in wine casks, Amontillado Sherry, Tokaji, Moscatel, and Pinot Noir. 

Learn more here.

4. Crown Royal Reserve

Crown Royal Reserve Source:Crown Royal

Crown Royal is what I typically think of when it comes to Canadian whisky and that isn’t meant to be a slight to other brands out there. That said, there is a reason Crown Royal stands out, and that is the brand’s consistency. The new Crown Royal Reserve expression takes the best of the brand’s juice and ages it for 12 years, elevating the experience.

Learn more here.

5. Espolòn Tequila Flor de Oro

Espolòn Tequila Flor de Oro Source:Espolòn Tequila

Espolòn Tequila Flor de Oro is the latest expression from the brand, which takes its already solid reposado expression and finishes it with marigold extract which transforms the profile. 

Learn more here.

6. George Dickel Aged 18 Years

George Dickel Aged 18 Years Source:George Dickel

I’ve had a lot of George Dickel whiskies over the years with my first being the brand’s 15-year single barrel expression which remains a fave. While the brand has a ton of offerings, including its 8-year bourbon, the collaboration series with Leopold Bros, and more, the brand’s 18-year expression isn’t cheap but is reportedly a strong representation of all things George Dickel.

Learn more here.

7. Gran Coramino

Gran Coramino Source:Gran Coramino

Gran Coramino, owned by Kevin Hart, could be written off as yet another celebrity tequila but the additive-free bottlings from the brand are solid. Not only that, the bottles will look good on your bar car or shelf. 

Learn more here.

8. Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice

Hendrick's Midsummer Solstice Source:Hendrick's

Hendrick’s is the first gin brand I tried many years ago and remains a go-to in my home bar and when I’m out and about. The brand’s limited-edition Midsummer Solstice expression would make a great gift for the gin lover in your life.

Learn more here.

9. High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram® Act 12

High West A Midwinter Night's Dram® Act 12 Source:High West

The High West distillery makes one of my favorite whiskies in their Rendevous Rye but perhaps one of the brand’s most coveted releases is their A Midwinter Night’s Dram® expression with the newest being Act 12.

Learn more here.

 

10. Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye

Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Source:Knob Creek

Knob Creek is one of the many standout brands in the Beam Suntory portfolio and a recent visit to the Jim Beam Distillery exposed me to expressions of the brand I hadn’t encountered. Knob Creek’s rye expression is already solid and now, their Bourbon x Rye expression combines the best of both worlds.

Learn more here.

11. Martingale

Martingale Source:Martingale

Martingale is a new cognac brand created by Guillaume Thomas and Amaury Thomas., both of whom are well-versed in the business of cognac. With a cosign from DJ D-Nice, an early investor, Martingale is a bright and delicious cognac that might even convert whiskey fans.

Learn more here.

12. Milagro Tequila

Milagro Tequila Source:Milagro

Milagro Tequila has a wide range of core tequilas, along with its premium select range. Among the core offerings, the brand has a new Cristalino Añejo expression that shows off the brand’s aged tequila in crystal clear fashion.

Learn more here.

13. Still G.I.N.

Still G.I.N. Source:Still G.I.N.

Still G.I.N. is the first spirit venture between Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, spinning off from their Gin & Juice ready-to-drink canned cocktails. We haven’t tried this one yet but will change that soon.

Learn more here.

14. Teeling Whiskey Phoenix Legends

Teeling Whiskey Phoenix Legends Source:Teeling Whiskey

Teeling Distillery produces several award-winning Irish whiskies with finishes in ex-rum barrels and ex-bourbon casks among other maturation methods. The brand has partnered with Notre Dame University and commemorated the Fighting Irish’s 100th anniversary of winning its first College Football National Championship. This whiskey is part of the new Phoenix Legends series from Teeling and is aged for 24 years.

Learn more here.

 

15. Tequila Don Gato

Tequila Don Gato Source:Tequila Don Gato

Tequila Don Gato is the brainchild of actor Danny McBride (Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals) and built on the story of Don Gato, who we assume is a fictional luchador wrestler that McBride says inspired him to get into the tequila business. The company’s irreverent and humorous messaging is what one can expect from McBride yet the additive-free tequila has already notched a pair of awards.

Learn more here.