It’s time to start thinking about gifts… Finding a gift that will be something the recipient will truly enjoy, as well as give you the happiness of a gift well-received, is always the aim. Some of these items might be things you’ve never even heard about before, some might be things you just didn’t think of for a gift.
A lot of people already have glassware, and there are always the newest sensation glasses for tasting each year that will pop up on your Google searches or Facebook ads. Amazon has your number too, and is recommending tumblers and “wine for one” or “it’s five o’clock somewhere” gear for a home bar or sports outings.
I’ve thought about this a lot, and have put together a list, in no particular order, of things I think will stand the test of time, and not be another fad of the year.
Fee Brothers Bitters Set
If your spirits buff hasn’t explored beyond the standard Angostura or Peychaud’s bitters, this will be a treat! Bitters subtly affect the overall taste of a drink and transform it into something different, but with the same pleasant balance of the original drink recipe. Take a Manhattan, for example, and swap in grapefruit bitters; suddenly it’s reminiscent of a lovely summer’s day. Swap in barrel-aged bitters, and it adds to the overall warmth with deeper layers of flavor.
Bitters can always be added to. Get them a set of florals next time, or maybe fruit. Cherry bitters match so well with whiskey, you’ll probably want a bottle for yourself too!
Glencairn Tasting Glass
I know I said that everyone has glasses, but hear me out. The Glencairn glass is considered to be the classic tasting glass for whiskey. If your friend doesn’t have one, or a set, then they’d no doubt love the idea of learning how to taste whiskey in one. Nosing the glass, swirling for legs, and inhaling the captured aroma as you sip the whiskey. It’s a different and fun experience from just drinking the whiskey.
The set works very well as a way to put a whiskey flight together, and to taste different whiskeys against each other.
Lewis Bag & Mallet Set
If you’ve never heard of a Lewis bag you’re in for a treat. This is a bartender tool used to crush ice for drinks such as Mint Juleps. You drop the larger ice cubes in the heavy canvas bag, give it a few good whacks with the mallet, and perfecto! Crushed ice worthy of a cocktail. Now who wouldn’t love a show stopper like this at a party?
Garnish Gift Set
I think garnishes are one of the things that separate home bar drinks from restaurant bars. Fresh produce, prepped citrus, or that perfect pin of olives and orange peel.
This kit gives you dehydrated exotic fruit and citrus, as well as some very adult-feeling copper cocktail picks. You’ll probably want to stop using toothpicks after this!
Acacia Wood Cocktail Muddler
When you have aromatics in a cocktail, you’ll want to open up the flavor of them so they really infuse the cocktail. You can slap the leaves in your hands, or roll them around to crush them, but you don’t open them as much as you could that way.
A nicely-made muddler will let you crush the leaves against the bottom of a glass or mixing pitcher. I like ones made of natural wood (this acaica wood is beautiful and renewable) that have a rounded bottom to really push down into the glass. There are a lot to choose from though!
Whiskey Socks
Fun socks have crept into the office all the way to the board room. I’m sure you’ve seen golf, cat, or dog socks, so why not whiskey socks? These have an added fun “command” on the soles for when the wearer kicks back and put their feet up.
I’ve also seen options that have specific drinks on them, and don’t forget Scotch whisky too!
Luxardo Cherries
Cherries are cherries are cherries, right? You’re so used to seeing the same maraschino cherry that has topped your sundaes in your whiskey drink.
Luxardo cherries are the adult version of that sundae cherry. Juicy dark cherries in a light syrup, not too sweet, but complex. They give your drink a layer of spiced flavor. You can even use the syrup as a flavored syrup for drinks that call for simple syrup.
Amarena Toschi Cherries
Two kinds of cherries? Yes, indeed, and I’m going to mention at least one more! Amarena Toschi cherries are a light, sweet option, but not candied like a standard maraschino. Their sibling, Amarena Fabbri cherries, are wild cherries. They’re much smaller, and pack a juicy punch.
Play around with different cherries, and see what you think! Just like bitters, you’ll find new combinations that elevate your cocktail.
Crystal Clear Square Ice Cube Maker
Have you been to a bar, and ordered the specialty drink with a beautiful large square cube in the glass? What’s that all about? When you have multiple pieces of ice in a drink, you have increased surface area that will dilute your drink as it melts. The large cube is a much smaller total surface area with a dense center to really chill the cocktail and not dilute it too much. And here you thought they were just trying to look cool.
Making the crystal clear ice requires a foam enclosure that will help the water freeze evenly. So instead of buying an $800 clear ice cube machine, you can use this kit in your freezer!
Whiskey Infusion Kit
“Flavored whiskey?” Not really. Infusions are a way of taking the whiskey flavor you love, and adding more layers of flavor without needing to garnish or muddle too much. Think of it as a time saver.
Infusion kits are a lot of fun to play with as well. You can try out different combinations and decide if it’s worthy of a cocktail, or just mixing into a punch to reuse the bottle!
Fireside Candle
Not everyone has a fireplace to sit and sip their whiskey by. Candles like these have wooden wicks, and sound like the crackling of a log fire. The scents of a fireside, cedar, leather, and more, make them a great addition for ambiance.
Light your candle, let it get to the scent, listen to the crackling wick, and sip your cocktail. I prefer a Perfect Manhattan. Oh wait, this is a gift list, be sure to get a candle for people on your list too!
I really could keep going, but I’ll stop at 10 for now. I hope this list helps you find gifts for your friends and family, and maybe even a few ideas to put on your list when people ask for it!
Whatever your gifting holiday is this season, I wish you good food, good friends, and good whiskey. Slainte!
Woodford Reserve Madeira Cask Finish
Woodford Reserve’s Madeira Cask Finish, part of the 2024 Master’s
