It’s the most wonderful time of the year again. A time for those little annual traditions, like dressing in a jumper you wouldn’t be seen dead in any other month aside from December, scoffing a whole chocolate orange in one sitting, or like us, releasing the good stuff stored in the liquor cabinet.
But if that aforementioned cabinet is looking a little bare, we have plenty of recommendations for some quality booze to restock it, with drinks that are as easy on the lips as they are on your pocket. In the last of our three guides of Christmas, we present, The Best Christmas Booze.
Rum
Ron Santiago de Cuba | 70cl | 40% ABV | RRP £35
We start with a rather easy drinking premium rum in the shape of Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo 11 Years Old. It’s delicious slightly fruity taste is helped by those 11 years sat ageing in oak barrels. Time well spent we’d say, with this golden drop offering a symphony of flavours from cinnamon and vanilla to grilled pineapple and coconut. Rum-believable you might say.
Merser Rum | 70cl | 40% ABV | RRP £28
With a bottle as pretty as this you’d expect a quality tasting product inside and this award-winning rum from Merser & Co certainly doesn’t disappoint in those stakes. Their Signature is a blend of fine Caribbean rums from Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic & Trinidad that have been aged up to 8 years, then rested for six weeks in Scotch Whisky barrels in London. The result is a silky smooth nectar that really hits the mark.
Whisky
Meikle Tòir Single Malt | 70cl | 50% ABV | RRP £50
When new whisky arrives from the GlenAllachie Distillery, it’s worth taking notice. Their new Meikle Toir (meaning Big Pursuit) series comprises of four expressions, each one a boutique, small-batch whisky with punchy flavour profiles. We’ve opted for ‘The Turbo’ here, a peaty powerhouse, signposted by its 50% ABV. Created by maturing in a combo of three medium-toasted and charred American virgin oak casks and five first-fill oloroso hogsheads this one is ideal for some festive sipping.
Smokehead Twisted Stout | 70cl | 43% ABV | RRP £56
This recent rebellious expression from award-winning premium whisky brand, Smokehead is a distinctive drop. A collision of the worlds of whisky and beer, this serve gets its flavour from the peaty Islay single malt being finished in stout casks. And for the ultimate drinking experience it needs to be sipped from their limited edition whisky glass designed by renowned glassblower Elliot Walker, which covers both the nose and mouth, ensuring the sweet, smooth chocolate aromas fill the senses before tasting.
Gullivers 47 | 70cl | 47% ABV | RRP £79
This single cask single malt English whisky is an ideal festive tipple, chiefly down to the way it’s distilled. Gulliver’s 47 PX gets it’s mojo from being matured in ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and bottled and bottled without being chill filtered. What you get is a spirit with body and depth to it, packed with sweet and spicy flavours that go hand in hand with the season.
Liqueur
Fireball Cinnamon Liqueur | 70cl | 33% ABV | RRP £20
This popular Canadian liqueur has made it’s way to our shores and we’re glad it has. Made from whisky and natural cinnamon flavours, this red hot fire breather of a drink has a kick like a mule and a red hot afterburn that’s certainly not for the faint of heart. One to get the party started with.
Tequila
Mijenta Blanco Tequila | 70cl | 40% ABV | RRP £54.99
If you’re on the lookout for a tasty small batch tequila with a strong sustainable focus then Mijenta Blanco is a big box ticker. This complex yet smooth artisanal tequila from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, is produced with 100% blue weber agave and bottled without filtration using traditional methods. A balanced blanco with a silky long finish that feels spectacularly good value at the price.
Gin
Brockmans Agave Cut | 70cl | 41.2% ABV | RRP £46
Speaking of Agarve, this latest innovation from super premium gin brand Brockmans is created from just that plant. Their limited edition Agave Cut combines their excellent gin with carefully selected Mexican Agave, creating a unique blend of gin botanicals and verdant agave flavours. A perfect accompaniment to party season.
Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin | 70cl | 41.3% ABV | RRP £29.75
Handcrafted gin here, curated by 8th Generation distiller Johnny Neill, inspired by his childhood memories of visiting his Whitley Family grandparents on their farm. The Rhubarb & Ginger flavours complement each other perfectly, with the rhubarb adding a tart sharpness and the ginger a warmth on the palate. Mix with prosecco, cranberry Juice & tonic water for a delicious Christmas cocktail.
Cocktails
Tayēr’s Xmas Essentials RTD | 3x 100ml | RRP £35
Unless you’re Willy Wonka, you might think it’s possible to bottle Christmas. But somehow the clever lot at from Tayēr + Elementary have managed just that. Their ready to drink cocktails are a festive flavour sensation. Their Xmas Essentials selection box contains three 100ml bottles, a spicy gingerbread old fashioned, a rich Christmas pudding sour and a fabulously fruity mince pie negroni. Perfect for getting in that holiday spirit!
Beer
Timothy Taylor Landlord Dark | 500ml | 4.3% ABV | RRP £52 (x16)
A classic winter warmer here with the multi-award winning ale Landlord Dark from Yorkshire brewery Timothy Taylor’s. It originates from their Pale Ale, but this one is brewed with caramelised sugars to give a rich yet light and very drinkable dark amber ale. It has an aroma filled with hoppy goodness with a slightly nutty chocolaty taste. Not one you’ll want to call time on once you start drinking it.
ERDINGER Weissbräu | 500ml | 5.3% ABV | RRP £2.30
ERDINGER know a thing or two about crafting great beer having been brewing their classic Weissbier in Bavaria since 1886. This refreshing wheat beer gets its magic from the brewing yeasts used, which provide the drinks fruity notes and unmistakably elegant flavour. Add in ERDINGER’s double maturity method and you have a beer worth your time. Prost!
Cider
Sheppy’s Winter Spiced Cider | 750ml | 4% ABV | RRP £25.20 (x6)
A true Christmas tipple here with this Winter Spiced Cider from brewery Sheppy’s. Made using traditional Somerset cider apples and a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves, the spiced flavours are as about as festive as a visit to Santas grotto. And on these chilly evenings heat it up to make the perfect warming mulled cider.
Red Wine
Finca Lalande Organic Malbec 2022 | 75cl | 14% ABV | RRP £9.99
The Bousquet family’s premier organic winery in Argentina makes exquisite red wine. And this young organic Malbec is certainly no exception. Rich and medium-bodied, this well-balanced, quaffable red with an elegant personality has intense aromas of jammy fruits, with smokey pepper notes. Perfect for the Christmas dinner table.
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2021 | 75cl | 13.5% ABV | RRP £18.80
Another fine red for you here hailing from Marlborough, New Zealand. This award-winning medium bodied new world Pinot Noir gets its flavour from being aged in French oak for a minimum of 12 months. It’s fruity in a pleasant subtle way, certainly not feeling overpowering and has a smoothness and dryness that’ll keep you coming back for more.
White Wine
Inama Soave Classico DOC | 75cl | 12% ABV | RRP £15.99
If you’re dreaming of a wine Christmas we have another rather nice drop for you with this Inama estate Soave Classico. Made from Garganega variety grapes grown on volcanic soil used by the Romans, it has a taste that can’t be replicated by making it elsewhere. Flavours of apricot, honey, flowers and almond win out here, with the wine’s finish lending itself more to fishy dishes.
Fizz
Roger Goulart Brut Reserva Cava 2019 | 750ml | 12% ABV | RRP £19.05
What would the holiday season be be without some bubbles? And rather than champers, this year we’re favouring some Christmas cava. This Roger Goulart fizz is made with Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada grapes, which gives it a distinct fruity aroma. Silky smooth to drink, popping the cork on this one is a great way to start the big day.
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