Once they mentioned Covid was over, we didn’t assume we’d be summarily dropped into a brand new monetary disaster to switch the one we simply bought out of. The excellent news is that the vacations have arrived simply in time to supply a welcome (if temporary) break from one more yr of chaos. At Drinkhacker, we had much more madness than common, having picked up stakes from our California HQ, the place we launched the web site, relocating to Texas in June.
So what does 2023 have in retailer for us? We’re hoping for the very best for everybody and every little thing, however whereas we chew our nails over that, there’s some vacation gift-giving to get completed. As soon as once more our purpose is that can assist you out with one thing each distinctive and scrumptious, if searching for a liked one means a bottle of their stocking or underneath the tree. Positive, whereas everybody goes gaga over $1000 whiskeys, we’ve tried arduous to maintain value firmly in thoughts this yr, with none of our picks coming in at greater than $135 — and most of them less expensive. As all the time, all costs listed beneath have been up to date with present, consultant prices — however these are all the time topic to market fluctuations and might change at any time.
You’ll discover most of those merchandise out there from our retail companions at Caskers, Drizly, Frootbat, and Wine.com. You may also search a number of shops at wine-searcher to search out the very best costs on all these merchandise and extra. For those who can’t discover one thing — or need a bespoke advice for a particular somebody that isn’t well-represented by our listing — please don’t hesitate to go away a remark or drop us a line.
Completely happy holidays to all of you. As all the time, don’t neglect to don your DH colours with the official Drinkhacker t-shirt, and we’d love to have interaction with you on social media: Fb, Instagram, Twitter, or all three.
Lastly, don’t neglect that earlier picks are nonetheless on the market and make nice presents. For extra prime present concepts try the archives and browse our 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008 vacation guides.
Bourbon – Hardin’s Creek Jacob’s Properly Bourbon ($135) – Shade us impressed. In contrast to many a current yr, there are many shockingly reasonably priced and out there bourbons available on the market, together with this A+ ranking recipient, which is now promoting beneath its authentic $150 listing value. If that’s an excessive amount of, different prime picks embody Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C922 ($80), Barrell Vantage ($95), and Blood Oath Bourbon Whiskey Pact 8, which we’ve discovered for as little as $90 on-line. For an actual cut price, seize the stable Nelson Bros. Whiskey Traditional Mix of Straight Bourbons for simply $39. And maintain a watch open for our massive prime 10 whiskeys of the yr listing, which hits in mid-December.
Scotch – Dewar’s The Champions Version 19 Years Outdated (2022) ($80) – You gained’t discover the identical offers in Scotch that you just’ll discover in Bourbon this yr — or the standard, to be sincere — however there are some reasonably priced, giftable bottlings available, beginning with this 2nd version of Dewar’s 19 Years Outdated expression, a steal at simply $80 and even much less. Bonus factors in case your giftee is into golf, which this celebrates. Different prime picks — these ones single malts, not blends — within the near-$100 vary embody Glenmorangie The Cadboll Property 15 Years Outdated 2021 ($80) and Cragganmore Distillers Version 2021 – Distilled 2009 ($116) — each of which hit in early 2022 however that are nonetheless extensively out there. Pay shut consideration to classic dates on all three of those, by the best way.
Different Whiskey – Teeling Blackpitts Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey ($75) – Able to get off the overwhelmed path? You’ll make new mates with this peated Irish from Teeling (truly a late 2021 launch). If that doesn’t sound like their jam, attempt certainly one of these wonderful ryes: Rossville Union Straight Rye Barrel Proof ($60) or Sagamore Spirit Rye 8 Years Outdated ($80), each stable offers. Or journey additional afield with English whisky — Bimber Distillery Ex-Bourbon Oak Cask Batch No. 3 ($120) or Oregon single malt — McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt 6 Years Outdated ($100).
Gin – Procera Crimson Dot Gin ($100) – Gin from Kenya? You higher consider it, and this new expression (the third we’ve seen from Procera) is certainly one of our favorites so far. We additionally advocate the brand new Gin Mare Capri ($50) from Spain, homegrown Chemist Navy Power Gin ($47), and Italy’s Portofino Dry Gin ($60), that are all extremely giftable. For extra ideas, try our most up-to-date prime 10 gins listing.
Vodka – Hanson of Sonoma Pink Grapefruit Vodka ($25) – Our solely top-rated vodka of the yr was this vibrant, citrusy version from the all the time on-point Hanson. Additionally stable are Belvedere Natural Infusions Vodka Lemon & Basil ($35), Hope City Lime Vodka ($26), and — if you’d like one thing unflavored — One Eight Distilling District Made Vodka ($28).
Rum – Foursquare Mark XI “Sagacity” Single Blended Rum ($70) – A lot good rum hitting the market now, a lot of it at manageable costs, like this beautiful mix from Barbados’s Foursquare. We additionally extremely advocate Hampden “The Youthful” Rum 5 Years Outdated 2021 ($61), Equiano Rum Mild ($40), and Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Belize 2006 ($98). For extra stable picks, see our most up-to-date prime 10 rums listing.
Brandy – Drouet Cognac Effective Mélina 7 Years Outdated ($77) – Maybe tougher to search out, however within the sub-$100 vary, you gained’t discover a higher brandy (outdoors of the standard choices). Extra stable, reasonably priced choices embody the unique Gran Duque d’Alba Brandy de Jerez Solera Gran Reserva ($46), Germain-Robin California Alambic Brandy 7 Years Outdated ($70), and Brandy Sainte Louise ($35) — none of that are Cognac.
Tequila – Expresiones del Corazon Barrel-Aged Tequila George T. Stagg Anejo 2021 ($99) – This collection of particular editions from Corazon are aged in high-end whiskey barrels; this bottling which spends months in a George T. Stagg barrel isn’t simply delish, it’s a singular and excellent present for any tequila lover. For a lighter alternative, attempt Calirosa Tequila Rosa Blanco ($50) or Tequila Gran Diamante Reposado ($62). In fact, our sparkly new prime 10 tequilas and mezcals listing has a lot extra choices, too.
Liqueur – Luxardo Sangue Morlacco Cherry Liqueur ($30) – That is the very best cherry liqueur you’ll discover available on the market proper now — and it doesn’t drip if you pour it. Additionally, whereas it’s not new, Barrow’s Intense Ginger ($29) has been reformulated and showcases how completely balanced a ginger liqueur can and ought to be.
Wine – You’ll be able to’t ever go mistaken with a bottle of wine. Two current prime 10s can be found to your perusal on that entrance: our prime 10 wines for summer time and our prime 10 wines for winter options.
Books – Rise up to hurry on the ingesting world by pairing a bottle with a guide. A few of our favorites: The Wine Bible (third Version), A Sense of Place: A Journey Round Scotland’s Whisky, Medical doctors and Distillers, Claridge’s The Cocktail Ebook, World Atlas of Beer, and The Artwork of Whisky: The Vanishing Spirits of Single Malt Scotch.
Keep in mind: For those who want one other customized present thought (or have a distinct funds), drop us a line or go away a remark right here and we’ll provide our greatest recommendation!
Trying to purchase any of the above? Give our retail companions at Flaviar, Caskers, Drizly, Frootbat, and Wine.com a attempt! Keep in mind you possibly can search a number of shops at wine-searcher for hard-to-find merchandise. And Flaviar’s spirits subscription kits are an effective way to attempt dozens of spirits annually for an affordable value.
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