The holidays are right around the corner. Consumers are looking for gifts for friends, family and co-workers. High-end spirits, beer and wine remain a staple of gift giving — especially as the craft boom pushes the quality and variety of these products to unprecedented levels.
Below we look at 40 beverage alcohol products that are on retail shelves right now, or soon will be, that can serve as excellent gifts — at all price levels — for whichever holidays you or your shoppers celebrate.
Spirits and Liqueur
Teeling 24-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
This spirit made history by being named World’s Best Single Malt at the 2019 World Whiskies Awards — a first for Irish whiskey. Limited to 5,000 bottles per batch, this expression aged in ex-bourbon casks before finishing in ex-Sauternes wine barrels.
SRP: $499.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
Smirnoff Peppermint Twist
This is Smirnoff vodka mixed with natural peppermint flavors. This festive bottle, wrapped in seasonal stripes, features “Scratch and Sniff” packaging that releases hints of peppermint by rubbing the outside of the bottle.
SRP: $11.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
Smirnoff No. 21 Holiday Ornament Bottles
These festive 750-ml. holiday bottles contain classic, non-GMO, 80-proof Smirnoff vodka. Bring to a party, or display at home.
SRP: $11.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
Remus Volstead Reserve Bourbon
Bottled-in-bond bourbon that dates to 2005, from MGP’s historic distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Celebrating the century anniversary of the Volstead Act, this is a one-time-only release. Only 500 9-liter cases are available.
SRP: $199.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
Saint Brendan’s Holiday Packs
This Irish cream brand has two value-added packages for 2019. One includes 50-ml.s of The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Pearl Vodka. The other has two K-Cups, Dark Roast Coffee and Hot Cocoa, perfect for Irish Coffee.
SRP: $12.99 per pack.
Ezra Brooks Holiday Packs
This brand has two options for holiday season ’19. The first is a cocktail bar in a box, with bourbon, Old Fashioned cocktail syrup, recipe booklet and stainless steel jigger. The second has Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream with a branded tumbler and holiday cocktail recipe book.
SRP: $12.99 per pack.
Bärenjäger Gift Pack
Originally an 18th-century lure to draw bears out of dwellings, this 70-proof honey liqueur caught on with hunters and fur trappers as well. An ideal cocktail sweetener with a kick, Bärenjäger’s 2019 gift pack includes a branded glass.
SRP: $29.99
Flor De Caña 25-Year-Old Rum
This Nicaraguan rum has aromas of vanilla, wood and dark cocoa, the company says, while on the palate it’s sticky-sweet and cut by fruity, nutty and caramel notes.
SRP: $154.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask Single Malt
The whisky finished in IPA craft beer casks from a Speyside microbrewer. Flavors include green apple, pear and spring blossom, the company reports, plus hops, fresh herbs and that characteristic Glenfiddich fruitiness and sweet, vanilla oakiness.
SRP: $70 per 750-ml. bottle.
Glenfiddich Winter Storm Single Malt
The first-ever whisky finished in ice wine casks. Aged 21 years, with a “unique layer of sweetness and complexity,” the company says. The third release in the Glenfiddich Experimental Series.
SRP: $250 per 750-ml. bottle.
Crown Royal XR
The second addition to the Crown Royal Extra Rare Whisky Series. Crafted from final batches produced at founder Samuel Bronfman’s original LaSalle Distillery. Since LaSalle closed in 1993, Crown Royal XR will not be available for much longer.
SRP: $129 per 750-ml. bottle.
Four Roses Holiday Gift Pack
Includes a 750-ml. bottle of Four Roses along with a red stainless steel flask. On the nose the bourbon has pear and light fruitiness, floral, gentle spice and honey, the company reports, before a palate of fresh fruit and hints of apple.
SRP: $20.99-$22.99
The Balvenie Doublewood 17 Year Old
An elder sibling to the DoubleWood 12 year old, this shares its honeyed, spicy characteristics, but with deeper vanilla notes, hints of green apple and creamy toffee, the company reports. It matured in American oak and European sherry casks.
SRP: $149.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
Glen Moray Holiday Gift Sets
This Scotch brand is offering a series of box sets that come with two glasses and one 750-ml. bottle of either Glen Moray Single Malt, Sherry Cask Finish, Chardonnay Cask Finish, 12-year-old Single Malt or Peated Single Malt.
SRP: $24.99-$29.99
The Glenlivet 14 Year Old
Featuring a new label with a modernized look, this is the first in The Glenlivet portfolio in the U.S. that’s finished in Cognac casks. It has sweet and fruity aromas.
SRP: $55 per 750-ml. bottle.
Calamity Gin Value Added Pack
This Calamity Gin gift pack pairs a light juniper, “Texas Dry” gin with mixers to enhance the citrus and floral notes of the spirit.
SRP: $24.99
Knockmore Irish Whiskey Shot Glass On-Pack
Includes a shot-glass. Knockmore Irish Whiskey is made from blended 4-year-old Irish Whiskey with 8- and 10-year-old grain and malt whiskies in first-filled bourbon barrels.
SRP: $28.99
Bird Dog Whiskey Holiday VAPs
This brand has two 2019 gift boxes. One offers a 750-ml. of Bird Dog Blackberry or Peach with two 50-ml. bottles of Black Cherry and Strawberry. Available only in NY and LA, the other contains a 750-ml. of Bird Dog Blackberry or Peach with two stainless steel shot glasses.
SRP: $19.99
Hibiki Japanese Harmony Anniversary Pack
In celebration of Hibiki’s 30th anniversary, the House of Suntory has released a specially designed bottle featuring a kimono-inspired tabane-noshi pattern, created to represent both celebration and shared happiness. 43% ABV.
SRP: $100
Herradura Ice Tray VAP
Comes with one 750-ml. bottle of Tequila Herradura Silver and a custom horseshoe ice mold tray, with a cucumber mint ice cube recipe on the packaging.
SRP: $44.99
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare Glenury Royal
The final installment in this series draws on rare casks from the Highland “ghost” distillery of Glenury Royal, which closed its doors in 1985. There have only been eight official bottlings of Glenury Royal in the past 23 years.
SRP: $349.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
100 Proof Elmer T. Lee Bourbon
August 5, 2019, would have been the 100th birthday for whiskey pioneer Elmer T. Lee. In celebrating the father of Blanton’s, Buffalo Trace released a 100-proof commemorative bottling of Elmer T. Lee bourbon.
SRP: $100
Camus Mixology Edition
These annual releases feature recipes from internationally renowned bartenders that enhance the profile of Camus cognacs. The 2019 edition highlights the Haut Camus cocktail by Patrick Pistoles, and includes ice cube tray and glass.
SRP: $30-35
Camus XO With Tulip Glasses
Camus XO contains eaux-de-vie that matured for at least 10 years in small oak casks. Each blend contains distillates from Borderies cru, enhancing the floral profile of this aromatic cognac, the company says. This set includes two tulip glasses.
SRP: $150-160
Montelobos Tobalá Mezcal
While nearly all commercially available tobalás are made with wild agave, Montelobos Tobalá is utilizes only sustainably produced tobalá, cultivated from seed in Puebla, Mexico.
SRP: $99.99
Chambord Royale Cocktail Kit
Comes with the French black raspberry liqueur, plus ingredients to make the signature Chambord Royale – champagne and Chambord with a raspberry garnish — with two 187-ml. bottles of Korbel Brut.
SRP: $22.99
Wine
Chandon ‘Harvested Under The Stars’ Collection
This limited-edition bottle is available in standard and magnum sizes, and contains the brand’s signature Brut varietal. Chandon harvests under the stars because the California night protects the quality of Chandon’s grapes, the company says.
SRP: $19 per 750-ML., $43 per magnum.
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2007
Composed of 100% chardonnay, 100% Grands Crus, from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims regions. Notes of green citrus and grapefruit. The sap-infused and chalky finish is framed with an elegant bitter flavor, the company says.
SRP: $179
Dom Ruinart Rosé 2007
Available in October, white grape compose 80% of this chardonnay rosé, with the remaining 20% being pinot noir from the only Grand Cru vineyard in Aÿ, France. Aromas of damson, hibiscus and ripe citrus notes, the company says, before hints of tree sap and a refreshing finish.
SRP: $365
La Grande Dame Rosé 2008
Notes of spicy red fruits with blood orange and grapefruit, rooibos tea and fine leather, the company says. On the palate: long aging notes, dried flowers and subtle smokiness.
SRP: $300
Krug Grande Cuvée 167th Edition
A blend of 191 wines from 13 different years, the youngest of which is from 2011, while the oldest dates back to 1995. Stayed seven years in Krug’s cellars. 47% pinot noir, 36% chardonnay and 17% meunier.
SRP: $170
Krug Rosé 23rd Edition
A blend of 60 wines from 10 different years, the youngest of which is from 2011, while the oldest dates back to 2000. Stayed seven years in Krug’s cellars. 45% chardonnay, 29% pinot noir and 26% meunier.
SRP: $300
Bodega Numanthia Termanthia 2011
With vines that are over 120 years old and grown at an altitude of 2,625 feet above sea level, this Spanish wine from the Toro appellation has notes of violet, pastry cream and acid strawberry, the company says.
SRP: $250
Yarden Katzrin 2014
Blend of 94% cabernet sauvignon and 6% merlot. Aged 24 months in new French oak barrels. Aromas of stewed black fruits and tobacco leaf, the company reports, with the mélange of flavors ranging from plum to raspberry to earth.
SRP: $212.99
Yarden Katzrin Blanc de Blancs Late Disgorged 2007
Aromas of freshly baked baguette, preserved lemons and green apples, layered with nuances of flowers and cream. Displaying fresh acidity, this late-disgorged sparkling wine is flavorful and elegant, the company says.
SRP: $105.99
Ao Yun 2015
From the first wine estate in the Himalayas, a blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Notes of cold chimenea, Mysore sandalwood, Dhofar incense and crushed strawberries. Ao Yun has partnered with crystal-maker Riedel on an exclusive wine glass.
SRP: $300
Guado al Tasso Bolgheri DOC Superiore 2016
Characterized by a bouquet of roasted coffee and leather, along with notes of ripe berry fruit, the company says. The palate is vibrant, fresh and savory, with fine-grained tannins.
SRP: $125
Chateau de Pommard Clos Marey-Monge: Monopole 2017
From the largest monopole in Burgundy, this blend of seven cuvees from limestone and clay-rich terroirs of the clos creates a deep, elegant, sophisticated pinot noir that can be aged for decades, the company reports.
SRP: $141
Craft Beer
Founders Kentucky Bourbon Stout 2019 (KBS)
One of the original “white-whale” beers is still among the most-sought-after stouts in the country each year. This bourbon barrel-aged chocolate coffee stout is 12.2% ABV and ages like fine wine. Collect and compare vintages.
SRP: Varies per market.
Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout 2019 (CBS)
Another classic “white whale” beer, CBS is available in 2019 for the first time in 12-oz. bottles. This imperial coffee chocolate stout aged in maple bourbon barrels. Like KBS, it’s popular among collectors who cellar and age top-quality beers.
SRP: Varies per market.
Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Wholesaler. Reach him at kswartz@epgmediallc.com or on Twitter @kswartzz. Read his piece Craft Beer Has Reached a New Phase of Maturity.