With Christmas just around the corner now is the time to get those last-minute gifts for adult friends and family members.
So, what do you buy for that certain someone who has everything? If they enjoy a tipple you can’t go wrong with getting them something to drink.
In this guide we pick out some of the most unique alcohol gift sets and bottles available right now, including gins, whiskies, dram collections and craft beers.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Christmas-themed bottles
A Fine Christmas Malt
The Whisky Exchange’s 2020 festive whisky has hit the shelves. This 19-year-old sherry-aged blended malt Scotch whisky really is “Christmas in a dram”. Tasting notes include Christmas cake, fruit and spices. Only 1,918 bottles are available of this limited edition Christmas Malt.
£74.95; thewhiskyexchange.com
Nelson’s Sprout Vodka
Sprouts and vodka? It’s a mix that could even make the Grinch a little merry. As Master of Malt puts it: “Nelson’s has gone and whacked a whole load of Brussels sprouts into this festive vodka! Oh, and if it wasn't Christmassy enough, if you shake it, it also sparkles.”
£24.95; masterofmalt.com
Pickering’s Brussels Gin
The humble Brussels sprout has also been used by Pickering’s to create this festively flavoured gin. In its bottling note, Master of Malt says: “It doesn’t taste like being pelted with sprouts, mind, but there is indeed a vegetal quality to this gin akin to the infamous member of the cabbage family.”
£12; masterofmalt.com
Captain Morgan Gingerbread Spiced
This limited-edition tipple is an ideal drink for winter and was created by infusing gingerbread biscuit, cardamom and cinnamon flavours with Captain Morgan’s spices. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, but for the classic serve, pour 25ml of Captain Morgan Gingerbread Spiced over ice and finish with 100ml of cola. Another option is to mix 25ml of Captain Morgan Gingerbread Spiced with apple juice - warm the juice to make it extra Christmassy.
£13 for the 70cl bottle exclusively at asda.com
Black Cow Christmas Spirit
This limited-edition expression by Black Cow Vodka is “Christmas in a glass”. Packed with the flavours of Christmas pudding, this spirit is naturally infused with the fruits and spices traditionally associated with the festive season. Drink it neat over ice, topped with champagne, or mulled in hot cloudy apple juice.
£30; harveynichols.com
Yuletide Gin from That Boutique-y Gin Company
That Boutique-y Gin Company’s Yuletide Gin is unmistakably festive. Its 24 botanicals include juniper, cassia, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and Christmas tree needles, plus distillates made from Christmas cake, chestnuts, Christmas pudding, Lebkuchen, mince pies, Panettone, an entire gingerbread house, and frankincense and myrrh. As if it wasn’t festive enough, edible gold flakes added post-distillation transform Yuletide Gin into a snow globe.
£34.95; masterofmalt.com
Unique gift sets and presents
Membership to Churchill’s Port.Club
There’s no doubt that port is a Christmas favourite so why not gift a loved one a membership to the newly-launched Port.Club by Churchill’s. Members receive quarterly deliveries of three bottles (including one exclusive Club Port), as well as access to unique travel and education experiences. As a special launch offer, anyone who buys a membership can gift an additional pack for free (value £70) to someone for Christmas.
Annual membership is £240, quarterly £70; port.club
58 Gin’s Mulled Gin Cider
London-based 58 Gin Distillery has developed a fresh mulled gin cider, using its premium 58 London Dry Gin as a base. The 58 Mulled Gin Cider contains fresh cider, 58 Gin and warming spices including cinnamon, star anise, orange and nutmeg. Each eco-pouch contains four 250ml servings and once opened will stay fresh for 48 hours. Heat up to a recommended serving temperature of 60°C.
£10; 58gin.com
Tobermory Colouring Book & Gin Bundle
This cool colouring book comes with a 70cl bottle of delicious Hebridean Tobermory gin, made with 13 specially selected botanicals inspired by the Isle of Mull including juniper, elderflower and sweet orange peel.
Chapel Down’s Garden of England Cocktail Pack
Explore your cocktail making flair by mixing some exquisite British flavours. Created by Kent-based vineyard Chapel Down, this “English Garden” mixed case includes one bottle of Chapel Down Bacchus Gin (70cl), two bottles of Curious Apple Cider (33cl) and one cocktail recipe card.
£34; chapeldown.com
Tanqueray No. Ten: The Invitation Box
This gift box is an invitation from Charles Tanqueray to open and discover an extraordinary gin. Tanqueray No. Ten is crafted in small batches and distilled using fresh whole citrus fruits. The luxurious green packaging with iconic red wax seal makes for a discerning gift, perfect for the most special people in your life.
£32.50; masterofmalt.com
Luxury barware by Theo Fennell
Every great home cocktail bar needs spirits and mixers, but it also requires essential items to create and serve your favourite festive tipples. British jeweller and silverware designer Theo Fennell has a range of barware products which are perfect for at-home cocktail-making. Featured items include a silver ice bucket (£6,950); silver liquer goblet (£1,250); a smoke crystal decanter and glasses cased set (£7,250); and a silver cocktail shaker and ruby crystal glasses set (£3,950, pictured).
Spirit-infused coffees by Fire Dept. Coffee
If you need to give your winter mornings a bit of a kick then a spirit-infused coffee may just do the trick. Fire Dept. Coffee has created four signature brews which combine the flavours of bourbon, whiskey, rum, or tequila with its best coffee beans. Run by active and retired firefighters, Fire Dept. Coffee’s products are roasted and shipped from its base in Rockford, Illinois, USA. Delivery is available to the UK and 10% of net proceeds are donated to help first responders that have become sick or injured while on the job.
From $17.99 (£13.34); firedeptcoffee.com
2020 Special Releases Collection tasting set
Diageo’s 2020 Special Releases Collection of limited edition cask strength whiskies is now available as a tasting set. Inspired by the theme “Rare by Nature”, the collection contains eight 50ml bottles of single malt Scotch whisky sourced from some of Scotland’s most interesting distilleries. Whiskies include: Cardhu 11-Year-Old; Cragganmore 20-Year-Old; Dalwhinnie 30-Year-Old; Lagavulin 12-Year-Old; Mortlach 21-Year-Old; Pittyvaich 30-Year-Old; Talisker 8-Year-Old; and The Singleton of Dufftown 17-Year-Old. Only 250 limited edition tasting sets are available.
£139.99; malts.com
J&B Rare Whisky Sour Cocktail Kit
Just in time for Christmas, J&B Rare has created a limited-edition seasonal sours collection cocktail kit, in collaboration with Cocktail Porter. The kit includes all the ingredients to shake up six whisky sour cocktails, including two Burnt Pineapple Sours, two Walnut & Cinnamon Sours and two Spiced Apple Sours. Simply shake the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into a rocks glass.
£41.95; cocktailporter.co.uk
Scotch & Seafood Hampers by Old Pulteney and Fish To Your Door
Old Pulteney, “The Maritime Malt”, has partnered with sustainable supplier Fish To Your Door to create an “at home” whisky and seafood experience for the festive season. Featuring a selection of ready to eat seafood alongside whisky, hamper one (£115) includes: Old Pulteney 12 Years Old (70cl) Single Malt Scotch Whisky; oysters; an oyster shucking knife; smoked salmon; dressed crabs; and a cooked or dressed lobster. With ready to cook fresh seafood in addition to whisky, hamper two (£225) includes: Old Pulteney 12 Years Old; oysters; smoked salmon; fresh fish fillets; hot smoked salmon fillets; cooked lobsters; scallops; white crab meat; smoked mackerel; king prawns; and dressed crabs. Both hampers are available for UK-wide delivery.
£115 or £225; fishtoyourdoor.com
Brewgooder’s ‘Panto In A Box’
Scottish company Brewgooder has launched a panto-themed selection box of four beers to raise money to support actors and theatre workers who have found themselves out of work this Christmas due to the pandemic. Each limited-edition “Panto In A Box” selection pack will include beers from Brewgooder, The Wild Beer Co, Mondo Brewing and The Gipsy Hill Brewing Company, as well as theatre snack favourites from Love Popcorn and Tony’s Chocolonely. Beer lovers will also have the chance to watch an exclusive online performance of an original pantomime, Jack & The Beer Hops, written by award-winning Scottish author and playwright Johnny McKnight. Featuring the characters of Dame Mother Goose, her plucky daughter Jack, and “fatcat” Bawrus Wetherspun, the satirical performance will be hosted on the Brewgooder website from 12 December to 31 December. Proceeds from Panto In A Box will be donated to The Theatre Artists Fund.
Panto In A Box £20.20; Jack & The Beer Hops panto ticket £5-£15; brewgooder.com
Book: The Art in Whisky
With a limited print run of just 1,000 hand-numbered copies, The Art in Whisky makes a truly memorable, and unique, gift this Christmas. The 256-page book includes more than 350 timeless photographs by award-winning photographer Jon Purcell which capture the “art” in creating whisky. Exploring the best of both old and new world whisky, readers are taken on a visual journey through the entire crafting process - from grain to bottle to glass.
£450, black edition; artinwhisky.com
Mr Fogg’s Christmas Cocktail Crackers
Cocktail bar Mr Fogg’s has teamed up with Remy Cointreau brands for a range of Christmas gift sets this year. Each cracker cocktail kit is filled with quirky surprises and traditional items including hats and jokes alongside the two cocktail serves. Pre-batched seasonal tipples include Cointreau Christmas Margarita, Snow Queenie Martini, Lady Marmalade, Nick’s Mulled Nip and Reindeer Fuel Espresso.
Cocktail crackers £19.50 (for two servings); Mr Fogg’s Cocktail Crate gift box £70 (all five cocktails, ten servings); mr-foggs-cocktails.giftpro.co.uk
Hotel Starlino Vermouth and Aperitivos Gift Pack
Ideal as a stocking filler, this Hotel Starlino gift pack is a perfect present for cocktail lovers. Crafted in Torino, Italy, the three 100ml bottles - Starlino Rosso Vermouth, Starlino Rosé Aperitivo and Starlino Arancione Aperitivo - can be used to mix a range of tasty cocktails.
£12; amazon.co.uk
Lockdown Liquor & Co. Christmas Crackers
The set of six crackers includes a miniature 50ml bottle of Lockdown Liquor & Co.’s bestselling cocktails, the Picante, Pepino, Tucci, Espresso Martini, Pepino Ruso and brand new limited-edition seasonal blend, the Cuban Toddy. Available for pre-order now with delivery starting on 30 November.
£60; lockdown-liquor.com
Signature Brew’s Christmas Pub In A Box
Signature Brew will bring the pub to you for Christmas with a selection of award-winning craft beers, glassware, Christmas snacks, a Christmas music quiz and exclusive Christmas playlists curated by music journalists to accompany the beers themselves. Pub In A Box is available throughout the UK and is delivered in 1-2 days. Pre-order will ship on 1 December.
£28; signaturebrew.co.uk
Bacardi Mixing Console
Working in collaboration with famed furniture designer Hugh Miller, Bacardi rum has unveiled its new “Mixing Console” - a limited-edition record player and integrated bar. The console features a built-in Fluance RT80 Vinyl Turntable, custom 50-watt Bluetooth speakers, a record storage shelf to house your festive tunes and a bottle of premium Bacardi Gran Reserva Diez.
£1,700; minimauk.com
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Christmas gift sets
Champagne Laurent-Perrier has revealed two Christmas crackers for 2020: a Cuvée Rosé gift set and a La Cuvée gift set. Both sets are presented inside a luxury gift box with two Laurent-Perrier branded flutes.
Laurent-Perrier’s Cuvée Rosé gift set (£80; thechampagnecompany.com and champagnedirect.co.uk); Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée gift set (£50; thechampagnecompany.com and champagnedirect.co.uk)
Harrods Édition Spéciale Brut Gold
For this collectable limited-edition set, Armand de Brignac has turned its handcrafted wooden lacquered gift box “Harrods green”. It is the first time that the prestige brand has changed the outer colour of its box and the first time Harrods has collaborated on a special edition champagne. Just 300 of the Harrods Édition Spéciale Brut Gold sets have been created and each gift box is inscribed with its unique number emblazoned on a special pewter label.
£295; harrods.com
The Bellini Case by The Wine Society
Packaged in a gift box, this elegant bellini set features The Wine Society’s own prosecco, which is sourced from small family holdings on prime hillside vineyards. It also comes with a choice of two exquisite 250ml fruit nectars from the gourmet Van Nahmen range - rhubarb and white peach - to create thirst-quenching fruity cocktails. The Wine Society is the world’s oldest wine club.
£22.50; thewinesociety.com
Philips PerfectDraft Keg Machine sold by Beer Hawk
Pour high-quality draft beer from the comfort of your own home. This smart machine will cool the six-litre beer kegs to a perfect 3C and will keep beer fresh for 30 days. Philips’s PerfectDraft features a premium chrome finish and a built-in LED display showing the keg temperature and volume of beer remaining - so you’ll always know how much you have left. More than 35 beers are available in real bar-grade metal kegs including the Belgian classics, American IPAs and German Weisen.
£199; beerhawk.co.uk
Cooper King Distillery sharing selection boxes
Yorkshire-based eco-distillery Cooper King has created two sharing selection boxes which contain three 100ml glass bottles of small-batch premium gin, gin liqueur, vodka or new-make malt spirit, complete with tasting notes, serving suggestions and a QR code to guided tasting videos. Choose from a box containing the distillery’s award-winning Dry Gin, Herb Gin and Berry & Basil Gin Liqueur, or the box featuring Skosh Smoked & Spiced Dry Gin, Black Cardamom Botanical Vodka and New-Make Malt Spirit.
£25; cooperkingdistillery.co.uk
Winter Laverstoke Cocktail Hamper
A gift for the cocktail connoisseur who likes to get creative with their spirits. The keepsake box includes Bombay Sapphire, St. Germain, Martini Rosso, 500ml Fever-Tree Ginger Ale and a bar spoon.
£60; bombaysapphire.com
Luxe Cognac Gift Set by Not-Another-Bill
This gift box comprises a 20cl bottle of Delamain XO Cognac “Pale & Dry” - a cognac aged for 25 years - and a pair of Normann Copenhagen glasses. The shape of the glass enhances the experience of drinking cognac by accentuating the deep colour, movement and aroma of the liquid.
£75; notanotherbill.com
Bacardi x Floom: grow-your-own garnish kits
Bacardi has partnered with Floom to create three “grow-your-own” garnish kits. Each kit features two fully-grown seasonal plants - such as rosemary, mint, basil, and edible flowers - and are paired with a 35cl bottle of either Bacardi rum, Bombay Sapphire gin or Grey Goose vodka. Each kit is accompanied by a cocktail recipes.
£29.99; floom.com
Drinks by the Dram Gift Collection Series
Drinks by the Dram has announced its brand new gift collection series. Each set contains 12 specially-curated drams presented in beautiful wax-sealed 30ml bottles. The range includes whisky, premium rum, premium gin, tequila and mezcal, and Irish whiskey.
From £39; drinksbythedram.com
Whisky and bourbon gift sets and bottles
Talisker Whisky Sea Salted Caramel Gift Set
Whisky and chocolate - it’s the perfect match, especially for Christmas. Talisker Whisky has partnered with Edinburgh-based artisan chocolatier, Coco, to create a gift set for chocolate and whisky lovers alike. The set includes eight Talisker Sea Salted Caramels and a 5cl bottle of Talisker 10 Year Old.
£20; malts.com and cocochocolatier.com
Craft Whisky Club
Get the next whisky classics delivered to your door with a Craft Whisky Club membership or gift box subscription. Experts handpick the finest small batch and artisan whiskies, carefully selecting exciting and innovative distillers from Scotland and beyond. Each box includes up to two full size bottles, as well as selected food pairings to match with the whiskies.
Gift boxes: two boxes over four months (£125); three boxes over six months (£185); six boxes over 12 months (£365). Memberships: one bottle every two months (£29.95/month) or two bottles every two months (£55.95;month); craftwhiskyclub.com
Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year Old
The luxurious Glenfiddich Grand Cru is an exclusive expression of single malt whisky, aged for 23 years and finished in French cuvée wine casks. Presented in a striking bottle and lavish black box, the Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year Old offers notes of apple blossom, freshly baked bread and candied lemons whilst the taste gives layers of rich vanilla oak, sweet brioche, sandalwood, pear sorbet and white grape.
£220; masterofmalt.com and thewhiskyexchange.com
Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Bowtie Jigger Gift Set
This limited edition Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack gift set features a sophisticated bowtie measuring jigger, making this the perfect present for those keen on mixing it up this festive season. Gentleman Jack is mellowed through Jack Daniel’s signature sugar maple charcoal - not just once, but twice. With balanced flavours of oak, vanilla and caramel, this double-mellowed spirit suits those looking to trade up from their usual Christmas tipple.
From £32; sainsburys.co.uk and tesco.com
Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Gift Pack
Make a classic Old Fashioned cocktail at home with this Woodford Reserve gift pack. It includes a 70cl bottle of Woodford Reserve and the whiskey brand’s signature Old Fashioned syrup. Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select is primarily triple distilled in copper pot stills, giving it the balance of depth and flavour that makes it the perfect base for an Old Fashioned serve.
£32; available at ocado.com and amazon.co.uk
Japanese Horn Whisky Hamper by Not-Another-Bill
This meticulously curated Japanese whisky hamper features either a bottle of Hibiki whisky, available in the classic “Harmony” blend or exclusive 17-year aged edition, or the Nikka Pure malt blend. It also includes six horn whisky tots and eight granite drinks rocks. Sealed in a beautifully crafted plywood crate, recipients will need to use the 18ct gold mini crow bar to prise open the box and reveal the wonders inside.
£225; notanotherbill.com
Black Bowmore DB5 1964: forget martinis, Mr Bond, try this £50,000 whisky
BenRiach 10 Year Old Scotch Whisky gift pack
Ten-year-old whisky from the BenRiach Distillery in Speyside, Scotland. A fresh and lively single malt, it’s available in a gift box with two glasses.
£36.90; thewhiskyworld.com
Compass Box Peat Monster Arcana
As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Compass Box has announced the release of a limited edition Peat Monster Arcana blended malt Scotch whisky. The result of a long-running experiment into the secrets and mysteries of oak and smoke, the cask strength version of The Peat Monster was further matured in three French oak custom casks for more than two years; it was then blended with malt whiskies from the Talisker, Miltonduff and Ardbeg Distilleries. Only 8,328 bottles will be available globally.
£75 for a 70cl bottle; compassboxwhisky.com
How to become a whisky ‘expert’ in just two hours
Gin gift sets and bottles
Bulldog Gin Copa Glass Gift Box
This gift set by Bulldog Gin includes a 700ml bottle of Bulldog London Dry Gin and a slick matte Copa glass. Put both to great use and follow the instructions for how to make a Bulldog Blackberry G&T.
£35; amazon.co.uk
Bathtub Gin & Enamel Mug Gift Pack
Get the perfect gift for the gin lover in your life. A bottle of double-infused multi-award-winning Bathtub Gin, with a beautiful enamel mug to drink their favourite gin cocktails from.
£34.95; masterofmalt.com
Cocktail Porter’s Gin-gle Bells & Tonic Kit
Presented in two sizes - petite (eight cocktails) and full (16 cocktails) - this gift set by Cocktail Porter is a festive treat for G&T lovers. Included in the cocktail set is Tanqueray London Dry Gin; Double Dutch Cranberry & Ginger Tonic Water; Double Dutch Pomegranate & Basil Tonic Water; Double Dutch Rhubarb & Pine Needle Tonic Water; and a festive garnish sack (candid ginger, dehydrated cherry, orange, lemon and lime).
Petite £28 and full size £48; cocktailporter.co.uk
Gyre & Gimble’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired gins
New Norwich-based spirits brand Gyre & Gimble launched in October with its first three gins: Callooh Callay (a refreshing coastal gin), Nohow (a double-juniper London Dry), and Queen of Hearts (a rich, velvety cherry gin). Each gin is named with inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
Each 70cl bottle costs £35; gyreandgimble.co.uk
The Botanist Gin & Glass Herb Planter
The Botanist Gin’s new “grow-your-own garnish” gift pack contains an easy to use herb planter crafted from its iconic glass bottle. The self-watering herb planter can be used to grow garnishes from seed or to house pre-potted plants. The gift pack includes a 70cl bottle of The Botanist Gin, the herb planter and a foraged cocktail booklet.
£58; thebotanist.com
Home of Bombay hamper
This Bombay hamper, which contains a bar spoon and jigger, is perfect for the budding home bartender. It features the full range: Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Dry, Bombay English Estate, Bombay Sapphire East and Bombay Bramble.
£120; bombaysapphire.com
Pinkster Gin Home Tasting Kit
Pinkster Gin’s home tasting set for two includes five different 5cl varieties - Pinkster Gin, Pinkster Royale, Pinkster Gimlet (pre-mixed cocktail), Hedgepig Wild Bullace and Quince, and Triple Distilled Gin - as well as tonic and ginger ale by Fever-Tree, sachets of Pinkster Gin Jam Cocktail Mix and a mini jar of Pinkster Gin Jam. A video with Pinkster founder Stephen Marsh will also guide you through the botanicals of the individual drinks.
£30; pinkstergin.com
58 Gin’s Make Your Own Gin
Gin enthusiasts can create two personalised bottles of bespoke, hand-crafted gin based on their own unique recipe. A simple selection process invites you to define your flavour profile utilising up to six beautiful botanicals, choose whether you want a pink or clear liquid, name your gin and personalise your bottle. Your recipe is then handed over to 58 Gin’s Master Distiller to be brought to life using a classic base London Dry recipe where juniper, orris and angelica root delicately balance your chosen flavours. A gift box of two 70cl bottles of your customised gin will then be delivered directly to any UK address.
£99; 58gin.com
24 Carat Gin
The luxurious distilling and distribution company Liquid Gold Alcohol brings to the market a premium and exclusive product for the most discerning clients with the finest palate. 24 Carat Gin is a magic alcohol drink that combines an exquisite dry gin with the delightful touch of real 24-carat liquid gold.
£1,250; 24caratgin.com
Massingberd-Mundy Distillery’s ‘his and her’ gins
South Ormsby Estate’s most enigmatic couple have been reunited thanks to two new gins from Massingberd-Mundy Distillery in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Making perfect “his and her” gifts the Burrell’s Dry and Marie Jeanne Pink gins have been distilled to celebrate Charles Burrell Massingberd and his socialite wife Marie Jeanne Rapigeon of Versailles.
Each bottle costs £39; southormsbyestate.co.uk
The 15 best gins: here’s some you must try
Craft beers, lagers, ales and porter
Mondo Build Your Own Craft Beer Box
Mondo Brewing Company, an independent craft brewery and taproom based in South West London, sells a range of beers and kegs in its online store. It also offers a “build your own” box including six or 12 beers of your choice. If you want more there’s a 24-pack available.
Lumina Landing stargazing bundle by Siren Craft Brew
For the beer aficionado or budding astrologist, Lumina Landing is the perfect gift. Featuring 12 cans of Lumina, Siren Craft Brew’s 4.2% session IPA, the stargazing bundle comes with a bespoke Lumina Orbital glass, beer mats and stickers. Customers also receive Siren’s own Planisphere star chart to help you recognise stars and constellations in the night sky.
£26; sirencraftbrew.com
Harvie’s Ultimate Festive Choice
Based at Alva, near Stirling in Scotland, Harviestoun is an award-winning independent brewer of ten high-quality craft beer and lagers. For Christmas the brewery has a range of craft beer gift options including the Harvie’s Ultimate Festive Choice. This mixed case of 22 beers comes with a Harviestoun half pint glass and features Schiehallion craft lager, Bitter & Twisted golden ale, The Ridge pale ale, Forth craft lager, Whippet pale ale, Wheesht alcohol free dark ale, Old Engine Oil craft stout, Ola Dubh 12 barrel aged stout and a limited edition Ola Dubh 18 barrel aged stout.
£50; harviestoun.com
Salcombe Brewery Mixed Case of 12 Bottles
The mixed case of 12 x 330ml bottles includes Island Street Porter (an award-winning, rich, velvety porter); Salcombe Pale Ale (a classic, full bodied pale ale with a bouquet of orange, pink grapefruit and anise); and Sun Drop (a gluten free and vegan friendly, dry-hopped ale).
£22.50; salcombebrewery.com
Ciders and perries
Cider Is Wine at-home packs
The mission of Cider Is Wine is to create a new global drinks category for ciders and perries made from 100% apple and pear juice (never-from-concentrate) that lovers of the finer things in life will recognise as simply representing the best of the best. Its online shop sells at-home packs, case of the month, online tastings and subscriptions.
At-home packs start from £40; cideriswine.co.uk
Bottles of liqueur
Kyrö Dairy Cream Liqueur
Award-winning Kyrö Distillery Company from Finland has launched a new product in time for Christmas: Kyrö Dairy Cream Liqueur. To be enjoyed straight out of the bottle with ice or with coffee, this 16% liqueur does not contain any lactose, gluten, artificial colours or flavours and all milk used in the production comes from small farms close to the distillery. It has a base of Finnish wholegrain rye spirit and single malt rye whisky, and tasting notes of liquorice, chocolate, toffee, fresh dairy milk and a hint of salt.
£19.95 for a 50cl bottle; masterofmalt.com
Baileys Limited Edition Apple Pie Liqueur
Baileys has launched a limited edition liqueur which will be perfect for the autumn and winter months. A delicious blend of fresh apple pie flavours, vanilla ice cream and hints of cinnamon and spice, the new Baileys is available now in the UK from The Bottle Club.
£22.99 for a 70cl bottle; thebottleclub.com
Cointreau Limited Edition by Vincent Darré
To celebrate its 170th anniversary, Maison Cointreau has partnered with French artistic director and interior designer Vincent Darré to create its limited edition release. Darré has reinterpreted the iconic bottle with three original designs that tell the story of the famous orange liqueur.
£32.99; selfridges.com
Magnum Scotch Cream Liqueur
This liqueur was last year crowned one of the top-selling products at Edinburgh Castle after more than 12,000 bottles were snapped up by visitors to the historic landmark between January and November 2019 alone. Magnum’s smooth, creamy caramel notes play off single malt scotch whisky for a balanced taste with a warming ginger afterglow.
£19.95; royalmilewhiskies.com
Mr Black Limited Edition Single Origin Ethiopia
To celebrate World Coffee Day on 1 October, Mr Black is launching its newest coffee liqueur, the Limited Edition Single Origin Ethiopia. Made exclusively with coffee beans from a single farm in Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia, it honours the country in both its recipe and bottle design which features the native Bee Eater bird.
£35.99; Customers can sign up to Mr Black’s Coffee Club to access the pre-order
Greek amber spirit
Metaxa Private Reserve
Private Reserve is the very first creation by Constantinos Raptis, Metaxa’s master blender since 1991. Once a year this unique spirit is created in a single batch with blends that have reached their prime flavours. Private Reserve is best enjoyed neat.
£70.45; thewhiskyexchange.com
Metaxa Angels’ Treasure Single Cask Strength
This one of a kind spirit created by Constantinos Raptis was inspired by a phenomenon that occurs in the cellars of the House of Metaxa. As fine spirits age in oak barrels the liquid that evaporates is known as the “Angels’ share”, leaving behind a spirit that is more concentrated and more intense in aromas. The spirit is then matured in a single cask stored in the cellars for several years to create Angels’ Treasure.
£165; fortnumandmason.com
Bloody Mary
The Bloody Classic
Bloody Drinks was launched in 2018 when founders Will Best and Harry Farnham made it their mission to find the perfect Bloody Mary. They started making their own for friends and family and the Bloody Drinks brand was born from there. Their Bloody Classic is created using high quality ingredients including premium vodka and Amontillado sherry for body, the finest tomatoes from Italy and Spain for natural sweetness, fresh lemons for acidity, Worcestershire and soy sauce for a rich, umami-packed base, and the legendary Tabasco sauce for that much needed kick.
Bloody Classic cans are sold in packs of four (£13), six (£19) or 12 (£36); bloodydrinks.co.uk
Aperitivos and digestifs
Primo Aperitivo Negroni
Transporting you to an authentic Italian aperitivo hour, Primo Aperitivo Negroni is one of the most luxury ready-to-serve Italian cocktails on the market. It has been exclusively handcrafted in Italy using the finest ingredients including a bespoke blend of dry gin, vermouth and bitter aperitif. To serve, simply pour the readily crafted drink over ice into a rock glass and garnish with an orange wedge. The striking bottle comes delivered in a beautifully branded gift box.
£26.90; primoaperitivo.com
How to make a Negroni cocktail: top hotel bartenders share their recipes
Stambecco Maraschino Cherry Amaro
Stambecco is a bitter-sweet Italian Amaro infused with luxury maraschino cherries, bitter citrus peel and local Italian mountain herbs. It’s produced at the Vergnano family distillery, Torino Distillati in Piedmont, north-eastern Italy, where the tradition of making Amaro began. The liqueur is carefully crafted in a large, bespoke copper pot still which has been specially installed at the distillery for the exclusive, small-batch production of Stambecco.
£26.99; amazon.co.uk
Bottles of tequila
Storywood Tequila
Storywood’s premium sipping tequilas are the only tequilas in the world that are fully matured in Speyside whisky or Olorosso sherry casks. There are five products available in Storywood’s online store: Storywood Speyside 7 Reposado (£39.99); Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo (£47.99); Storywood Speyside 7 Reposado Cask Strength (£44.99); Storywood Sherry 7 Reposado Cask Strength (£46.99); and Storywood Double Oak Añejo Cask Strength (£48.99).
Bottles of mezcal
The Lost Explorer Mezcal
The Lost Explorer Mezcal is a new brand that has launched with three unique artisanal mezcal varieties - Espadín, Tobalá and Salmiana. Harvested after eight years growth in the arid valleys of San Pablo, Espadín (£62.50) is a well-balanced mezcal with hints of apple, ripe fruits and a mild smoky layer to finish. Tobalá (£109.99) is harvested after ten years growth and has hints of tobacco, cocoa, vanilla and leather. Harvested after 12 years, Salmiana (£140) is the most herbaceous expression, offering a sweet and spicy profile with hints of green chilli, grapefruit and fresh agave after rainfall.
Available at Proof Drinks
Bottles of Vermouth
Vermò Vermouth
Vermouth is experiencing a resurgence in the UK and the launch of Vermò gives a modern take on the classic vermouth di Torino Rosso. Handcrafted in Piedmont, Italy, the home of Italian vermouth, Vermò is made with a blend of trebianno and chardonnay grapes alongside 31 high quality botanicals, resulting in a light, crisp and fruity taste, perfect for sipping on the rocks or as a versatile base for many cocktails.
£27.95; available at Master of Malt and The Whiskey Exchange
Discarded Sweet Cascara Vermouth
Every year, billions of tonnes of the coffee berry Cascara are wasted in coffee production after the bean is extracted. Discarded takes what would be wasted and re-purposes it to bring a new flavour dimension to create a Vermouth like no other. Discover the versatility of Discarded Sweet Cascara Vermouth, a perfect addition to any drinks collection and a welcome gift for any occasion. The taste is full and sweet, with indulgent fruity notes that merge perfectly with the characteristic bitter notes of Vermouth.
£19; waitrose.com
Bottles of vodka
Russian Standard Gold Vodka
Distilled in St. Petersburg, Russian Standard Gold uses Russian wheat and is flavoured by Russian Ginseng, vanilla and cinnamon for a slightly sweet finish with notes of black pepper and creamy vanilla.
£18; asda.com
Bottles of rum
RedLeg Spiced Rum
This spiced rum is made by blending the best rums from the Caribbean and leaving them to rest in oak barrels before infusing with Jamaican vanilla and ginger. With a sweet aroma followed by warming ginger, it works with simple mixers or in classic rum cocktails such as mojito or hot rum punch.
£20.50; Available from Tesco and Sainsbury’s