Luxist Holiday Guide: Bottles To Bring, Spirits

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Dec 18th 2006 at 12:02PM

This time of year, it's always best to show up bottle in hand. We've already covered wines, now here's our list of ten spirits to dazzle and intrigue your recipients.

What: Jack Daniel's Ducks Unlimited 2006
Why: Jack Daniel Distillery partners with Ducks Unlimited to create a limited-edition bottle of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey that has an engraved collectible waterfowl leg band with the Ducks Unlimited logo, the Jack Daniels Single Barrel logo and the year 2006. A portion of the proceeds go to Ducks Unlimited and their efforts in conserving North American wetlands.
How Much: The bottle costs around $50

What: Cabana Cachaca
Why: The Brazilian sugarcane spirit has been enjoying big buzz in the U.S. for those who are fans of the delicious caipirinha. The big debate is Leblon vs. Cabana. My pic is Cabana but you really can't go wrong either way. A fun bottle to bring for festive occasions.
How Much: It sells $34.99 per 750-milliliter bottle.

What: Flor De Cana Rum 12 Years Centenario
Why: Rum may be perceived as a summer drink since it comes from tropical climates but aged rums have all the aromas and flavors generally associated with fall. The Flor De Cana has a buttery caramel taste that warms the belly and coats the mouth with lingering sweetness.
How Much: The 12-year generally sells for $35-$45

What: Qi Tea Liqueur
Why: Because it really does taste like a sweet and boozy version of a cup of tea. The liqueur is made from rare fruits, exotic spices, wildflower honey, and cedar-smoked tea. It has a very distinctive taste that your more adventurous friends might really enjoy.
How Much: It sells for around $40

What: Robert Cavalli Vodka
Why: Perhaps the most chic of the designer vodkas, the Cavalli uses Italian water and Italian-grown grain filtered through layers of crushed Italian marble. Oo la la. it also comes in a fabulous opaque glass bottle with a snake curling around it.
How Much: It sells for around $60.

What: Extase X.O.
Why: Love orange but want something different than Grand Marnier or Cointreau? Check out Extase X.O.which is made of eaux-de-vie distilled in small batches from orange peels imported from the island Curacao. The beautifully decorated bottle alone makes this an excellent gift, especially if you pair it with a box of chocolate truffles or perhaps salted caramels.
How Much: It sells for around $55.

What: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
Why: The award-winning bourbon is released each year on the birthday of George Garvin Brown, the founder of Brown-Forman which produces the bourbon. This year's bourbon was barreled in 1993 and is rich with flavors of caramel, light mint and dried fruit.
How Much: The bourbon sells for around $67.

What: Milagro Romance Tequila
Why: The bottle is truly striking. The three inner chambers are filled with Blue Agave Select Barrel Reserve Anejo and the outer chamber is filled with Blue Agave Reposado aged to perfection for 9 months in oak barrels.
How Much: It can usually be found for around $110.

What: DeLord Heritage Bas Armagnac
Why: This rare elixir is over 40 years old and has silky warm taste rich with spices and simmered fruit. Meant to be sipped and savored.
How Much: $224.99

What: Auchentoshan 1973 Single Malt
Why: Don't ask me to pronounce it but I'd be very happy to consume it. The whisky has a deep bronze color and a nose of citrus and spice. A precious gift for your very precious friends or the kind of thing that might truly delight the father or grandfather in your life.
How Much: It sells for around $650.

Tags: gifts, holidays, liquor, spirits