HOMBRE Gift Guide: SPIRITS Of The Season
11 Dec 2022 by HOMBRE in Celebrities, Cuisine, Decorating, Event, Fame, Film, Films, General, Gift Guide, Home, Money, Music, Pleasure, Power, Products, Spirits, Sports, Television
This holiday season let’s celebrate BIG. And what better way to get the party started than with your favorite spirit. From Gift Sets, to legendary brands, to new categories and celebrity driven launches we have the perfect spirit to gift hose closest to you, or to enjoy at home with family.
Whether it’s aged whisky for dad, smooth wine for mom, or a top cognac, champagne or tequila for your partner – either at work or at home – you can’t go wrong.
Check below for some holiday themed offerings from some of our select brands.
Let’s toast to a fulfilling 2022 – and an even greater 2023!
GIFT SETS
Hennessy X.O. (Extra Old) Holiday Gift Set
The leader in cognac invites you to indulge in an incomparable cognac, Hennessy X.O. Created by Maurice Hennessy, the blend was originally intended to be enjoyed with family and friends.
It provides a multisensory taste odyssey with seven layered tasting notes that include: rising heat, sweet notes, infinite echo, spicy edge, flowing flame, chocolate lull and wood crunches. The taste embodies the X.O’s rich and powerful profile, with its iconic decanter shape.
Hennessy X.O is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. This limited-edition product will be on-shelf in December.
MSRP: $255
For the art lover: Bombay x Basquiat Special Edition Bottle
To pay homage to the cultural icon and prolific artist Jean Michel Basquiat, Bombay Sapphire and the Basquiat Estate have brought to life a Special-Edition bottle which shines light on Basquiat’s fearless creativity and meaningful artistic expression that transcends generations. Perfect for any art lover in your life, the third edition of the brand’s artist designed Special-Edition bottle features Basquiat’s Untitled (L.A. Painting). The piece was exhibited in Basquiat’s second ever show and was inspired by his time in Los Angeles. This masterpiece features many of the key motifs associated with Basquiat’s work from the crown to the bird, all beautifully collaged over soft hues of blue.
Price: $34.00 for 750ml
For the Whisky Explorers: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years
Dewar’s 7th master blender, Stephanie MacLeod, has made the brand’s smoothest blend to date by resurrecting the unique 4 stage ageing process that made the “White Label” blend famous. This limited edition, special collectors blend has subtle notes of cinnamon and ripe vine fruits. Finished in an Oloroso Sherry Cask, the blend is made by marrying the whiskies in casks multiple times for better balance and integration, leading to an incredibly smooth feel. The 375ml size makes it perfect for those dabbling in different blends, and the stunning packaging makes it perfect for gift-giving.
Price: $49.99 for 375ml
For the Tech Lover: Dewar’s Double Double Rye Cask NFT
Dewar’s Scotch Whisky recently teamed up with BlockBar.com for a very limited Dewar’s Double Double 21-Year-Old Rye Cask Finish with only 50 NFTs made available for public purchase. Master Blender Stephanie Macleod crafted this rare whisky, which features the Double Double Series’ four-step aging process. It delivers subtle notes of warm wood spices, creamy vanilla, caramel shortcake, and chocolate orange. Once purchased, this rare, small-batch premium blend of Dewar’s Double Double 21-Year-Old Rye Cask Finish will be held securely by BlockBar, with a record of authenticity held on the blockchain as a digital certificate of ownership. The bottle owner may ‘burn the NFT’ to redeem the physical bottle and have it delivered from BlockBar’s secure storage facility, resell it on the BlockBar.com marketplace, gift it or showcase it in their virtual bar.
St~Germain Royale Dash
With one gentle press, Le Royale Dash simultaneously dispenses the perfect dash of St~Germain elderflower liqueur into two champagne flutes to create the joyeus Royale cocktail. The wild, natural sweetness of hundreds of fresh elderflowers gives St~Germain a transformative flavor that is unforgettable once tasted, adding an unexpected twist to your favorite cocktail. Surrounding the bottle of St~Germain are holders for garnishes to personalize and add a touch of je ne sais quoi to the serve.
Price: $250
Casa Dragones Limited Edition Gift Set
Honoring Mexican craftsmanship, this handsome Limited Edition Gift Set features special, beautiful hand-engraving on the crystal decanter of Casa Dragones Joven. It also includes two crystal Riedel Tequila glasses, delicately engraved by hand using the same sophisticated motif. The Casa Dragones Joven Limited Edition Gift Set is beautifully packaged in the signature blue gift box.
Casa Dragones Joven is a small batch, master blend of 100% Blue Agave silver and extra-aged tequila, rested in new American oak barrels for five years, for a complex, smooth taste that is perfect for sipping and pairing with food.
Tasting Notes
-Body & Color Rich silky body, with brilliant platinum hues and long pronounced legs, indicating a full body with a sleek texture on the palate.
-Aroma Fresh and inviting, subtle floral and citrus aroma with notes of sweet roasted agave.
-Taste Soft and smooth with hints of vanilla and spiced undertones, balanced with delicate notes of pear.
-Finish Clean, warm finish with hints of hazelnut and a bright, open aftertaste.
MSRP: $275.00
PERSONALIZE IT
Make It Personal with Dewar’s and Santa Teresa 1796
Few things are as special as seeing your name inscribed alongside a world top selling brand. Personalization makes your gift extra special and these dark spirits give the option to add a thoughtful addition to their bottle. It all happens through their Personalization Emporium.
Customization is available for Dewar’s 12 year, Dewar’s 15, and Santa Teresa 1796.
Labels can be received through the mail just in time for the holidays when ordered.
Labels free, simply purchase bottle of choice
The Personalization Emporium can be accessed through the link HERE for Dewar’s and HERE for Santa Teresa 1796.
COGNAC
Hennessy
Hennessy has a repertoire of captivating 2022 holiday offerings, all of which serve as unique gift options at varying price-points. From celebratory editions to holiday-inspired art and interactive & immersive designs.
Hennessy V.S (Very Special)
Created in 1865, the world’s best-selling Cognac and flagship of the Hennessy collection is a striking premium blend with intense and fruity, oak-forward, and bright notes, and a deliciously lively taste. The flavorful cognac compliments its long history of celebrating the arts and its ethos to “Never stop. Never settle.”
Hennessy V.S is best enjoyed in its classic style or in a cocktail.
Available through online alcohol delivery websites or on-shelf at local stores.
SRP: $43 Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège (Very Superior Old Pale)
Inspired by a Cognac originally created for the future King of England in 1818, Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège is the most versatile within the collection, with a blend of different eaux-de-vie from Cognac’s top growing regions. The palate and aroma deliver spices such as vanilla, clove and cinnamon, followed by delicate toasted notes.
It is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in classic cocktails like Old Fashioned and Sazerac.
Available through online alcohol delivery websites or on-shelf at local stores.
SRP: $65
Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Limited Edition by Refik Anadol
Hennessy teamed with internationally acclaimed media artist and director Refik Anadol to create a temporary masterpiece celebrating the iconic V.S.O.P Privilège blend. Using 3D data mapping, Anadol interpreted and transcribed the Hennessy Tasting Committee’s emotions into the color, shapes, reliefs and textures that appear on the bottle making for a fabulous addition to a holiday bar cart. A sharable digital platform is available to purchasers via a QR code on the bottle, revealing an interactive experience designed by the artist.
Available at select retailers nationwide : $60Hennessy X.O x Julien Colombier Limited Edition
Hennessy and Julien Colombier also designed an X.O version adorned in a playful and luxurious work of art. Created in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy for the enjoyment of his family and friends, Hennessy X.O was the first “Extra Old” Cognac ever invented that established the category. The limited edition X.O serves as the perfect vessel for gifting the iconic shape of the bold X.O blend.
Available at select retailers nationwide: $200
Limited Edition D’USSÉ XO & Riedel Glass Set
This all-black Cognac glassware set is once again available for purchase on ReserveBar while supplies last.
Premium cognac achieved unprecedented popularity over the last year. Sales of XO cognac (aged 10 years minimum) are up a whopping +34.6% (Nielsen), and D’USSÉ has seen sales up +109%, actually outpacing and therefore driving the entire category.
In celebration, D’USSÉ has launched a sleek XO gift set for the holidays, featuring a bottle of their XO expression and sexy tulip glasses specifically designed by the experts at Riedel to showcase the best of D’USSÉ XO’s flavor and aroma through perfect aeration. This Set is the perfect gift for those who value quality ingredients, craftsmanship, and exclusivity. $280.
BOURBON/ WHISKEY/ WHISKY/ SCOTCH
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
The ultimate luxury and rare Scotch whisky blend with a smooth taste and custom engraving available.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label sets the standard, a blend of the rarest malts from hand-selected casks across Scotland.
You can immortalize the most treasured life lessons and meaningful moments with a personalized, engraved bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
You can order your customized engraved bottle online here for home delivery. $285.
ABERFELDY Single Malt Scotch Whisky – the brand known affectionately as ‘The Golden Dram’ stemming from its notable water source, the Pitilie Burn, known for its famed quality and rich deposits of alluvial gold – has the perfect gift for all of the scotch and spirits lovers. Consider any of the below marques, with options for everyone – no matter where they are on their whisky journey.
ABERFELDY 12 Year Old is a smooth, sweet dram that features a unique honeyed sweetness paired with notes of spiced vanilla, fudge and pineapple.
ABERFELDY 21 Year Old offers a complex flavor with notes of honey paired perfectly with the flavors of toasted coconut and dried fruits. All three product offerings are available for purchase via ReserveBar.com ABERFELDY 18 Year Old Limited Edition finished in Tuscan Red Wine Cask – ABERFELDY Red Wine Cask Limited Edition series is a passion project of Malt Master Stephanie Macleod, with a focus on unique cask finishes that compliment and elevate the signature character of ABERFELDY.
Macleod uses her exceptional skills in sensory analyses to observe the maturation and flavor development in each cask until achieving the desired flavors, at which time the whisky is deemed ready to be bottled. This is the fourth cask finish in this award-winning series.
ABERFELDY 18 Year Old Limited Edition is infused with heavy notes of cherry frangipane and vanilla spice with flavors of sliced green peppers and limes and finishing with soft oak.
Craigellachie 13 Armagnac Cask Finish ($64.99) – Launching August, Craigellachie initially matured for 13 years in American oak, in a combination of refill and rechar Bourbon barrels, the whisky was then transferred to Armagnac casks from the Bas Region, renowned for producing the best Armagnac. Tastes of baked apples dusted with cinnamon and notes of caramel shortcake are offset by signature syrupy pineapples and fiery bonfire night aromas.
Royal Brackla – Established in 1812 by Captain William Fraser, Royal Brackla is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries. It is known as ‘The King’s Own Whisky’, becoming the first ‘Royal’ scotch in 1833. The whiskies’ rich, elegant character comes from our time honored production techniques, and our Master Blender’s obsession with maturation and finishing in the finest selected wood from America and Jerez. The House of Royal Brackla includes:
Royal Brackla 12 Year Old is a smooth and inviting dram with tasting notes of ripe peaches, black cherries, chocolate covered almonds and muscovado sugar.
Royal Brackla 18 Year Old offers a complex and enticing flavor with rich sherried notes and soft spicy overtones.
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old is a regal whisky infused with syrupy toffee notes with richly fragrant summer berries warmed by the sun and dusted in cinnamon and muscovado sugar.
Dewar’s Discovery Pack
Designed to showcase the blends that have become pillars to the brand, Dewar’s Discovery Pack shines light on their signature double aging process, resulting in an extra smooth taste. The pack is comprised of Dewar’s 12, 15, and 18 year bottles, perfect for intimate tastings or getting creative with cocktails. The 12 year (750ml) is a direct descendant of the signature blend introduced over a century ago and has notes of citrus, dried fruit and vanilla, while the 15 year has a sweeter, lighter taste with notes of honey, toffee and florals. The Dewar’s 18 year is the perfect after dinner indulgence with notes of fruit, dark chocolate, and marzipan ideal on its own or in a rich Old Fashioned. $29.99
Find it at your local liquor store or retailer nationwide or purchase HERE
Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye
Here is a whisky made from 100% Canadian Prairie rye grains grown by local farmers and distilled with nutrient-dense, glacier-fed spring water from the surrounding Rocky Mountains. The resulting spirit is balanced with unique flavor nuances, including smooth vanilla, black currant, and spice. Originally released in 2020, this year marks the third release of this anticipated limited edition liquid. Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye is now available at retailers nationwide.
SRP of $79.99 for a 750 ml bottle.
Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey
Bringing an exclusive and luxury taste profile to the family of brands, Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold attests to the craftsmanship behind the bottle with its double-barreled aging that creates a fusion between a warm maple and toasted oak finish.
Available only in select markets around the world. Flavors of oak, honey, maple, and fruit. $85.95
Uncle Nearest 1884 Premium Small Batch Whiskey
Treat your loved ones to a whiskey from Tennessee with a truly unique history. Uncle Nearest pays homage to the first known African-American master distiller, Nearest Green. Award-winning Uncle Nearest 1884 commemorates the final year Green is believed to have put his own whiskey into barrels before retiring from distilling.
With a white and gold embossed label, 1884 is rich and smooth making it perfect to drink neat, over ice or mix up in a cocktail.
Each sip is a taste of whiskey history.
$49. Place your order here
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey
Considered the Godfather of Tennessee Whiskey, it was Nearest Green who first taught a young orphaned Jack Daniels how to distill whiskey all those years ago.
Today, to honor this incredible man, Green’s legacy has been bottled in the form of Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey. The spicy caramel with hints of maple taste of this award-winning whiskey are delicious neat, over ice, or mixed up in a cocktail.
Age: Blend of 8-11 YO whiskey. $59.95
Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Laphroaig 10 Year Old is the best recognized of all Islay malts and is Laphroaig’s flagship expression. Laphroaig 10 Year
Glenmorangie Signet
A lifetime’s worth of ideas and ambitions have been captured and bottled in Glenmorangie Signet. The richest scotch in Glenmorangie’s range, it defies convention at each sip. One for the connoisseur. $184.
RUM
BACARDÍ Coquito
Following the traditional recipe closely – used by abuelas around the world – BACARDÍ ready-to-serve Coquito combines signature BACARDÍ Superior white rum with toasted spices, coconut cream, vanilla, and cinnamon, allowing those to indulge in the heritage-filled libation without the time spent in the kitchen. Simply pop open a bottle, pour over ice, and serve.
For those who enjoy a creamy and rich holiday libation, or are looking for a Caribbean-inspired alternative to eggnog, BACARDÍ Coquito is available on ReserveBar, Drizly and at select grocery and liquor stores across the country, while supplies last. $17.99BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Diez
For the spirits connoisseur and dark drink sipper, we recommend gifting BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Diez. A master blender’s reserve, BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Diez is barrel aged for a minimum of ten years. Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, this libation has a dark golden hue that boasts bright notes of banana, pear and tropical melon, that is balanced with caramelized vanilla and oak, resulting in a premium rum with complex flavors your loved ones are sure to enjoy.
BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Diez is available for purchase via ReserveBar. $39.99
Mount Gay Rum Master Blender Collection
Crafted by Mount Gay’s first female Master Blender, Trudiann Branker, Andean Oak Cask pushes the boundaries of traditional rums. The result is a delicate, opulent, yet spicy blend with aromas of vanilla, candied fruit, oak, and spice. Andean Oak is best enjoyed neat.
MountGayRum.com For more information or to find a bottle at your local retailer click here
Equiano Rum
Equiano Rum, the World’s First African & Caribbean rum, is a blend of two cultures, two distilleries, from two continents, making the perfect collaboration between east and west. Celebrating the life of Nigerian-born writer, entrepreneur, abolitionist and freedom fighter Olaudah Equiano, the founders of Equiano Rum proudly pledge 5% of global company profits and $2 of every bottle sold through their website to ground level freedom and equality organizations, such their grant recipient for 2021, Anti-Slavery International.
Where to Buy: equianorum.passionspirits.com
Equiano Original Cost Per Unit: $59.99
Equiano Light Cost per Unit: $45.99
LIQUEUR
ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto
Italicus was created by the authority on Italian spirits, Giuseppe Gallo, to bring back the forgotten Rosolio category. With keynotes of Calabrian bergamot, Italicus is made using the finest Italian ingredients to create a sip of Italy. The striking bottle design embodies the history and heritage of Italy’s distinctive regions, whilst telling the story of Rosolio’s time-honored traditional drinking occasion of Aperitivo. Italicus is one of the world’s most awarded aperitivo globally. Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto was awarded Best New Spirit 2017 at the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, and Top Trending Liquor Brand by Drinks International in 2020 and 2019. www.rosolioitalicus.com
Cointreau
Classic orange liqueur at the heart of more than 500 of the world’s most celebrated cocktails, including The Original Margarita, The Cosmopolitan, and The Sidecar. The House of Cointreau was founded in 1849 in Angers, France. Blended with sweet and bitter orange peels, Cointreau has a unique, balanced flavor beloved by mixologists and bartenders worldwide. Visit cointreau.com/us Available from: Drizly.com $45.00LS Cream Liqueur
LS is Inspired by Haiti’s ‘crema,’ which is popular among friends and family, particularly around the holiday season (think of it as a spicier, coconut-y version of eggnog). While every family has a variation of their own recipe, LS takes inspiration from a founders’ family recipe, and makes it accessible to the public, packaged up in a sleek black bottle – makes for a beautiful holiday gift.
A blend of rich cream and neutral grain spirits mixed with coconut, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg that exudes luxury while staying true to its Haitian heritage.
LS is proudly Black-owned and run by Myriam Jean-Baptiste and Stevens Charles, both of Haitian descent. They took a family cremas recipe handed down from generation to generation and turned it into an award-winning cream liqueur now accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Available here $24.00
Ancho Reyes
Born of a cultural revolution in 1920’s Puebla, Ancho Reyes is the original chile liqueur — a unique blend of the heat, sweetness, smoke and spice of the chile Ancho that predates all other spicy liqueurs by nearly a century. Ancho Reyes evokes a sense of timelessness causing a feeling of nostalgia. The versatility of this liquor transcends at any time, station or geography, being able to be enjoyed alone or mixed, as an aperitif or digestive. $36.00
CHAMPAGNE
Fleur de Miraval
Brad Pitt has unveiled “Maison de Champagne Fleur de Miraval.”
As Pitt says, “For me, Champagne conjures up feelings of celebration, quality, prestige, and luxury. But rosé Champagne is still relatively unknown. Backed by our success with Miraval in Provence, I wanted us to try to create the defining brand of rosé Champagne, focusing all our efforts on just this one color. The result is spectacular and I’m very proud of it.”
This first edition of Fleur de Miraval is one of the three best rated rosé champagnes by World’s Best Sommelier Andreas Larsson since the beginning of his career. Such a score means it is an outstanding to world class wine which possesses complexity, nuance, terroir expression, age worthiness, concentration and length. $349.
Bollinger Special Cuvée NV
Special Cuvée is the result of delicate blending between harvest grapes and a majority of reserve wines, including some aged in magnums for more than 15 years in Bollinger’s cellars. Special Cuvée with a rich, Pinot Noir-forward profile is a James Bond-worthy bubbly bold.
$79/bottle or $175/magnum
Chandon Brut
The holographic sleeve of this limited-edition Chandon bottle reflects the deep blue and twinkling stars of the Napa night sky, making an eye-catching gift. For the first time, the holiday bottle will also be available in Magnum – perfect for sharing among family and friends this season. $19.
Moët & Chandon Impérial – 150TH Anniversary Bottle
End of year is the prime moment for champagne consumption. As the world’s most loved champagne, Moët & Chandon will showcase its “savoir fete” during the holiday season. $47.99Dom Perignon Vintage 2008 Lenny Kravitz Limited Edition
Lenny Kravitz brings his creativity to an inspired vintage champagne with this special bottle. Re-imagining Dom Pérignon’s shield label in hammered metal, the musician and designer create a uniquely contemporary vibe. $190.
Ruinart Dom Ruinart Blanc 2007
This beautiful vintage champagne is an ode to the blanc de blancs style and the pure elegance of chardonnay. Dom Ruinart 2007 initially suggests minerality and smokiness, then surprises with a turn towards citrus freshness. $139
MEZCAL
Mezcal CONTRALUZ
Recently launched, Contraluz boasts a new-to-market filtration process using activated charcoal to produce a colorless, smooth flavor profile without compromising mezcal’s signature smokey taste.
As the first luxury-focused, ultra-premium mezcal, Contraluz introduces a balanced taste of cooked agave, vanilla and cacao with notes of green agave, citrus, and drive fruits – made to enjoy neat or in cocktail form. We include two of our favorite recipes below that are perfect for any occasion.
MSRP: 49.99
Montelobos
Born from centuries of mezcalero craft and enlightened by the methodical pursuit of perfection, Montelobos Espadin is an unaged joven mezcal, crafted from meticulously cultivated, 100% sustainably grown, organic agave Espadin. An underground pit is filled with volcanic stone which is heated using 2 different woods which roasts the agave for 5 days. It is milled under the weight of a traditional single Cantera stone Tahona, and then wild fermented in open-air pine vats for up to 7 days. Following the artisanal method with firewood heating copper stills, the mezcal is small batch twice distilled to achieve a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle smoke. This artisinally produced joven mezcal is strikingly balanced and complex, with a bold integration between all the notes that mezcal has to offer. Montelobos Espadin is an experience unto itself. $43.00
SOTOL
Nocheluna Sotol
Born from the Chihuahua Desert and harvested from the resilient Dasylirion plant, Nocheluna Sotol is a rare and wild spirit.
Nocheluna has a pronounced yet versatile flavor profile. This exceptional spirit embodies fresh minerality and light sweetness balanced by herbal tones and notes of dried stone fruits and cacao.
The 100% artisanal process used to craft Nocheluna yields a dynamic liquid that can be enjoyed by all spirits lovers in a neat pour or in cocktails alike.
Nocheluna is produced by fourth-generation master sotolero Don “Lalo” Eduardo Arrieta in collaboration with sotol educator Ricardo Pico and Iván Saldaña from Casa Lumbre. The face of the brand is American singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz who partnered with the brand to launch the product with backing from Pernod Ricard. Since 2019, the company has invested in growing sotol populations through responsible plant cultivation in existing and new ranches. According to the company, more than 850,000 sotols were planted in 2022.
MSRP: $89.99
GIN
Bombay Bramble Gin
Bombay Bramble will serve as the perfect accoutrement to any holiday bar cart this season thanks to its stunning jewel-toned ruby red coloring. Bombay Bramble has a rich berry flavor because it is made with fresh blackberries and raspberries harvested at their ripest moment which is then perfectly paired with the gin’s bright juniper notes. Master of Botanicals, Ivano Tonutti and Master Distiller, Dr. Anne Brock spent time refining the balanced, all-natural flavor expression that challenges the common practice of other flavored gins on the market which often use concentrates, additional sugars, and additives to flavor the liquid. To ring in the holiday season, use Bramble to create festive cocktails from a refreshing Bramble & Tonic or a cozy Bramble Mulled Wine.
$22.99 (750 mL each)
Preferred Retailer/Preferred Website to Purchase: Available nationwide HERE.
TEQUILA
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Famila Story
For the most refined spirits lover, Reserva
Previously only reserved for the Cuervo family’s most intimate gatherings, this tequila was released to the public in 1995 and a limited amount of bottles are produced each year.
Every step in producing Reserva de la Familia is tendered with care, from the hand dipped wax on the bottle and the individual numbering of each bottle produced, to the premium gift packaging – making it the perfect gift for any spirits lover in your life.
Each year, the Cuervo family enlists a notable Mexican artist to design the artwork that adorns the tequila’s premium box. This year, the design by Gonzalo Lebrija called “the glazes” revokes the colors and shapes of the agave fields at different times of the day.
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Platino
This premium tequila is specially made through a unique “Esencia de Agave” process – a propriety process created by Cuervo and known only by the distillers – which extracts agave sweetness and aromas from the hearts of the agave plants.
Aroma: Intense agave, smooth notes of clove, aniseed with light touches of vanilla and caramel
Flavor: Blue agave with hints of clove, white pepper, citrus and light spices
SRP: $65; 750ml
Availability: Available at retailers nationwide, online at Drizly and Reserve Bar.
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Reposado
Through a unique barrel aging process consisting of heavily toasted American oak and lightly toasted American & French oak barrels, this tequila possesses rich and sophisticated qualities.
Aroma: Pepper, cooked agave
Flavor: Vanilla, caramel, nuts and spice
SRP: $85; 750ml
Availability: Available at retailers nationwide, online atDrizly and Reserve Bar.
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo
About: This award-winning pinnacle of the Reserva de la Familia is made from only the hearts, or piñas, of 8–10-year-old agave plants that are cooked for a total of 48 hours. Its rich, complex taste is the result of its elaborate aging process, producing a tequila with a rich bouqet of flavors and ultra-smooth taste.
Aroma: Rich oak, fresh coffee, fine cocoa, and sweet dried fruit
Flavor: Rich oak, toasted almonds, coffee, and vanilla
SRP: $189; 750ml
Availability: Available at retailers nationwide, online at Drizly and Reserve Bar.
Jose Cuervo Tradicional Cristalino
About: Jose Cuervo Tradicional Cristalino
Aroma: Notes of agave, tropical fruit & subtle hints of oak
Flavor: Vanilla and spice with a hint of melon
SRP: $34.99; 750ml
Availability: Available at retailers nationwide, online at Drizly and Reserve Bar.
CASA DRAGONES Reposado Mizunara
The crystal clear tequila is full of fresh fruit on the nose, most prominently grapefruit and green apple. Take a sip, and the agave shines through immediately, followed by hints of black pepper, cloves and mint, plus a juicy tropical fruit note.
Casa Dragones Reposado Mizunara, 100% Blue Agave Reposado tequila, is the first tequila rested exclusively in new Mizunara casks, a rare oak native to Japan, traditionally used for aging Japanese whiskies. This delicately rested tequila perfectly balances the minerality of the agave with the light notes of Japanese oak, for a refined, elegant sweetness that defies the ordinary.
MSRP: $169.99
DELEÓN Tequila
DeLeón Tequila is a provocative tequila with a rich, complex agave honey that is slow-fermented and twice-distilled. Exquisite highland agaves are slowly roasted in traditional ovens for a subtle taste profile with a whisper of sweet agave, citrus, warm spice and smooth vanilla on the finish. DeLeón Tequila is made from the finest 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the rich earth of the Los Altos region of Jalisco. DeLeón achieves astonishing depth of flavor in just two distillations – allowing the tequila to retain the unique character acquired during the fermentation process. Their master distiller artfully cuts the beginning and end of the distillation, allowing only the absolute best portion, or Corazon, to find its way into every bottle, creating a subtle taste profile with unrivaled smoothness.
Displayed in a stunning bespoke bottle made from highest-quality fragrance-grade glass and boldly tattooed with the distinguishing mark of DeLeón, each expression is strikingly defined.$60.
DON JULIO 1942
Aged for a minimum of two and a half years in American white-oak barrels, Don Julio 1942 pays tribute to the year that Don Julio González began his tequila-making journey. Distinguished and refined, this special Añejo is produced in small batches and reflects Don Julio González’s life-long passion for making the highest quality tequila. Its sweet and complex aroma complements an equally intriguing range of flavors including hints of warm oak, pepper and cinnamon. Extraordinarily smooth, with astonishing depth, it is best enjoyed neat in a snifter. www.donjulio.com $125.
Cincoro Tequila
Cincoro Tequila is an artisanal, small-batch, ultra-luxury tequila created by five friendly NBA rivals: Michael Jordan, Wes Edens, Jeanie Buss, Wyc Grousbeck and Emilia Fazzalari. The founders bonded over their shared passion and mission to create the finest tequila that anyone has ever tasted.
The bottle was designed by Mark Smith, former head of innovation at Nike who worked on many Jordan-focused products and initiatives including Air Jordan. Smith created not just a vessel for a delicious beverage but also a stunning addition to any bar that will stand out amongst the rest. Impress your friends and family this holiday season with the gift of the best. The Cincoro family portfolio offers four award-winning tequila expressions, Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo.
Varies (starting at $140), Available at shop.cincoro.com and Reserve Bar.
Teremana
Teremana Tequila is a super premium 100% Blue Weber Agave grown in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. With Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Jackson behind it, the brand has quickly become one of the most popular tequilas on the market.
The process of being roasted in authentic brick ovens and distilled in copper creates a very smooth and fresh finish with hints of vanilla and citrus on the palate, which only adds to Teremana’s winning performance. $39.99
Curamia Tequila just made its US debut.
Authenticity is at Curamia’s core, with extreme focus on the craftsmanship employed to make it. It is an exceptionally smooth liquid available nationwide at $38.99/750ML bottle. Curamia has a founding team of women in the business and a group of investors include a who’s who of executives. The brand’s distillery staff is 95% local women, all working together to make the spirit.
Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila
Starts as a premium, aged Anejo, then spends four months in deep charred oak barrels to give it rich, smoky flavor and a golden amber color. It spends an additional two months in specially toasted barrels for more depth and distinct complexity. $39.99
1800 Cristalino Tequila
Elevate the upcoming holiday season with 1800 Cristalino Tequila. The crystal-clear añejo tequila, elevated to new heights through a charcoal-filtering process that makes the liquid clear while retaining the aged flavor of an añejo, will add a refined flavor palate to any holiday get-together with its smooth notes of roasted wood, caramel, honey and vanilla. 1800 Cristalino is ideal for any end-of-year events, for brunch, dinner and cocktail soirées alike.
An ultra-premium clear Añejo Tequila finished in port wine casks, 1800 Cristalino is a beautiful contradiction. It is aged in French and American oak barrels, married together, then rested in port wine casks. Finally, it is meticulously filtered to crystal clear clarity while retaining the depth and complexity of Añejo along with the silky smoothness of a Claro. ABV 40% – 80 proof. Available at ReserveBar or Drizly for $65.
1800 Tequila
This holiday season 1800 can help you make ideal cold-weather cocktails for every taste, from drinks made with their winter-ready darker expressions such as 1800 Añejo and Reposado, as well as tequila-based spins on the most classic fall/winter options. Creative drinks put a whole new spin on the tequila cocktail, commonly thought of as a warm-weather drink, but can be enjoyed on the chilliest fall nights.
1800 Reposado (Drizly & ReserveBar), 1800 Añejo (Drizly & ReserveBar)
Espolon Tequila
Inspired by and a tribute to Mexican culture, Espolòn tequila is named for the spur of the iconic rooster, a historic symbol of strength nobility and national pride. Espolon was established in 1998 as a tequila for the people. $29.99
VODKA
CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka
CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka is gluten-free and distilled from fine French grapes; a process inspired by over a century of wine-making expertise and craftsmanship, providing a crisp, clean taste and citrus nose. Launched nationwide in January 2003, DIAGEO – the world’s largest spirits and beer company – made spirits history in October 2007 by entering into a strategic alliance with entertainment entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs, in which Combs and Combs Enterprises assumed the lead on all brand management activities for CÎROC.The flavor portfolio includes CÎROC RED POMEGRANATE, CÎROC RED BERRY, CÎROC COCONUT, CÎROC PEACH, CÎROC PINEAPPLE, CÎROC APPLE, CÎROC MANGO and CÎROC SUMMER WATERMELON. In June 2018, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Makers of CÎROC entered the brown spirits category with the introduction of CÎROC VS, Fine French Brandy.
Effen Vodka
EFFEN Vodka is a continuously distilled Ultra-Premium Vodka with a smooth, clean and crisp flavor. The word EFFEN literally means “”smooth”” in Dutch, which explains why all of our flavors can be enjoyed straight or in a cocktail.$28.99
NEFT Vodka
Here is an ultra-premium vodka with a taste as memorable as its container: a one-of-a-kind, portable and unbreakable barrel that keeps NEFT cold for up to 6 hours in any season. While the barrel may be the hook, it’s the extremely smooth taste that sets NEFT apart from any other vodka. Perfect for holiday gifting or anyone who wants to up their spirits game, NEFT will make an unexpected and luxurious gift to nearly everyone on your list.
NEFT’s exceptionally pure taste is created using the cleanest, all-natural ingredients: oxygen rich-spring water that has been filtered for 50 years far beneath the Rhaetian Alps of Austria, and four non-GMO rye grains farmed in Lower Saxony, Amato, Askari, Pollino and Rasant. Inherently low in dissolved salts and ions, the naturally filtered water and ancient rye grains were carefully selected to develop a vodka where the ingredients are meant to be tasted. With only three distillations needed, NEFT is a flavorsome vodka with tons of character and likely the smoothest finish you’ve ever experienced.
NEFT is widely available throughout the country as well as through a variety of online outlets such as Drizly, Reserve Bar, Cask Cartel, Caskers, 1000 Corks, Saucey, and Minibar, to name a few. The full list can be found at neftvodka.com.
King St Vodka
Kate Hudson’s King St. Vodka is exceptionally clean: made with pH balanced alkaline water for a uniquely smooth finish, distilled 7 times for purity, with no burn, gluten-free and made from non-GMO corn. King St. is distilled in Santa Barbara, CA, and inspired by memories of hosting friends at Hudson’s former home on King Street in New York City.
Pric $29.99, Available at ReserveBar.com
Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind
The makers of the world’s No. 1 vodka, Smirnoff No. 21, have expanded their Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind flavor to more than 15 new markets in the United States. Fitted in a new colorful, glow-in-the-dark under blacklight design and boasting an authentic combination of sweet tamarind flavor with notes of spicy Mexican chilies and lime, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind delivers a delicious balance of sweet and tangy taste that is best enjoyed as a chilled shot for any at-home celebration, or as a sweet and spicy addition to any simple cocktail.
The bottle also packs a fun and functional surprise, displaying “Solo Y Frío” under blacklight when chilled, so you know when it is ready to drink.
Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind is available near you, visit smirnoff.com $12.99 for a 750ml bottle .
WINES
Veuve du Vernay Ice
Premium sparkling wine to enjoy on any occasion and special moments. Great to use for cocktail recipes or enjoy directly over ice.
SRP: $15.99
B&G Bordeaux Red Limited-Edition Woo 2020
This wine is B&G’s latest launch, an exciting collaboration with French artist Woo Ghost. The label features the artist’s signature style as an ode to Germain Rambaud, the first cellar master at Barton & Guestier dating back to the 18th century.
SRP: $15.00
Listel PET NAT
This wine a refreshing rosé blend of Semillon and Carignan from Southern France, offering a Better for You selection for consumers during the holidays with a low alcohol volume of 9.5% and no addition of sugar, sulfite or conservatives.SRP: $17.99
Josh Cellars x Josh Groban Josh Cellars, is rallying people named Josh for Joshgiving – an initiative aimed at inspiring friends, families and communities across the nation to show their gratitude for one another. The brand, led by founder Joseph Carr, is enlisting Joshes across the country, including renowned singer Josh Groban, to give back to the people and communities that enrich their lives by conducting meaningful acts of thanks all season long.
By the end of the program, Josh Cellars will have donated more than $220,000 to support six different giveback programs and organizations. To date, the brand has donated over $1.5MM to charity.
Unshackled Wines
Unshackled is an approachable, yet unique collection of wines that introduce fine wine flavors to a broader audience. What’s more, these wines sport intricate, eye-catching labels that make for memorable gifts.
Unshackled Red Blend 2019: A blend of Zinfandel, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache, this wine opens with aromas of raspberry, blueberry and crushed violets. On the palate, it offers flavors of spiced dried cherries, florals and a hint of white pepper, with a generous mouthfeel. The perfect pairing for the colder months, and consider gifting to someone looking to try out a new, unexpected red. $30.
Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon 2019:Featuring aromas of plum and blackberry, with a hint of olive, vibrancy is the focal point of this wine. Flavors of black stone fruit, clove, and dried herbs with solid tannin structure result in a flavor-forward Cabernet Sauvignon with balanced acidity. Enjoy this with a juicy filet at your holiday dinner table, or gift to a family member that craves a flavor-packed wine. $30.
Unshackled 2020 Sauvignon Blanc displays notes of melon, peach, fresh citrus, and tropical fruits, along with the addition of Chenin Blanc and Roussane, adding brightness and texture to the mouthful and creating an unmatched flavor. Though typically considered a warm weather wine, it’s actually a great wine to drink year-round, especially paired with chicken or fish dishes. Plan ahead and bring a bottle as a hostess gift to a holiday party. $27.
Usual Wines is best-known for its innovative and minimal intervention wine-by-the-glass offerings made from small lot, sustainably farmed vineyards:
Limited-Edition Usual Reserve is now available
Hailing from one of the most celebrated plots of land in all of Napa Valley with the longest growing season and lowest yields, Mt. Veeder, Usual’s newest, limited-edition launch, Usual Reserve, is rare, age-worthy, and delicious. Usual Reserve 2016 is a bold, big Cabernet Sauvignon featuring notes of Blackberry Compote, Baker’s Chocolate, and Eucalyptus. These 6.3oz single-serve glasses of premium wine make the perfect, elevated holiday gift. $120 per 6 pack
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Usual Red: A fruity and delicious red blend with notes of cocoa, dark cherry, and cassis. | Box of 12 is $96
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Usual Rosé: A crisp, easy-drinking Rosé with notes of strawberry, rose petal, and rhubarb. | Box of 12 is $96
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Usual Brut: A dry and effervescent sparkling wine with notes of lemon, elderflower, and bergamot. | Box of 12 is $96
Don’t want to commit to a single offering? Check out the Usual Mixed Pack that features an even split of Usual Red, Rosé and Brut – something for everyone. | Box of 12 is $96