Are you shopping for the bourbon lover in your life, but can’t decide on what to get them? Looking to impress that boss of yours, but don’t want to get them the same old bottle as everyone else? Don’t fret! This guide will help you navigate the whiskey market, discover the best bourbon gifts available, and finally find something they’re guaranteed to love!
For Your Boss
After vying for that big promotion all year long, there’s a lot at stake this holiday season. Nothing says, “Hey boss, I’ve earned this!” like a subtle bri—I mean—heartfelt gift.
Jokes aside, If it’s a gift for your boss you’re after, look no further than Heaven Hill’s Barrel Proof lines. For $60-$90, I believe this is one of the best deals in bourbon.
Wheat ‘Em & Reap
If they’re a fan of wheated bourbons, I recommend getting them a bottle of Larceny Barrel Proof. A high proof expression that’s released quarterly, Larceny Barrel Proof packs lots of flavor at an affordable price point. It’s no wonder that it’s been consistently ranked one of the best bourbons the past couple of years.
Rye Time, Rye Place
Or, if they’re a rye bourbon fan, get them a bottle of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. ECBP is also a heavy hitter that carries a high age statement and a high proof. Showing off the best of what Elijah Craig has to offer. Their releases are always consistent, readily available, and of course delicious.
Trust me, if your boss is still on the fence about you, one of these picks will definitely help to win them over.
For The Adventurous Drinker
If you have someone in your life that is always trying new whiskies, why not get them something a little outside the box?
In this case, I would recommend any product from Still Austin. A craft distillery based in Austin, TX, Still Austin has embraced the genre of ‘Texas Whiskey’ and has begun perfecting it. Both their Bourbon, The Musician, and their Rye Whiskey, The Artist, are spectacular.
Available at roughly 100 proof and cask strength, these bourbons are suitable for any type of whiskey drinker. The palates of these spirits are bold for such young whiskies, but bring lots of character to the table as well.
For someone who’s tried everything, these whiskies are sure to pique their interest.
For The Scotch Drinker
I know I said this was a “best bourbon gifts guide,” but I recognize that not everyone is a bourbon fan. So, if you know someone that loves scotch, but isn’t a huge fan of bourbon—I have just the thing!
Rather than getting them a bottle of peaty goodness this year, reach for a bottle of American Single Malt. American Single Malts (ASM) are a growing category of whiskey here in the United States that allow for much more flexibility in production than the traditional scotch/malt whiskey industry is able to provide. Here are a couple of options that just might become their new favorites:
Sip Into The Holiday Spirits
If they’re a fan of wine finishes, I suggest getting them a bottle of Westward Whiskey’s Pinot Noir Finish! This is a great introduction into the world of ASM. Westward Whiskey is one of the pioneering forces behind the ASM movement, and has been putting out great quality whiskies for years now.
A-Merry-Can Single Malt
Next, if they’re a fan of unfinished single malts, get them a bottle of Old Line’s Bottled-In-Bond American Single Malt. Sticking to the traditional standards for bottled in bond, this single malt has been aged for at least 4 years in new, in new charred oak barrels and is bottled at 100 proof. Not many scotches use new charred oak barrels for their spirits, so many drinkers find the parallels in ASM and bourbon quite interesting! Old Line was started by two former Naval Aviators in 2017 and has also helped pioneer the ASM movement and educate others throughout the distillation industry.
For the ‘Tater’ in your life
We all know these types of people. The ones who go into liquor stores asking ‘do you all have any X?’ Only to purchase the bottle and put it up for sale on Facebook later that day, with a far higher price than what they just paid for it. We endearingly call these people ‘taters’ in the enthusiast side of the industry, but it doesn’t mean that they aren’t deserving of great bourbon too!
If you want to get them something special (that you know they won’t sell), get them a bottle of Calumet Farms 15 Year. Distilled in Bardstown, KY by Barton 1792, these bottles scratch that ‘Buffalo Trace’ itch that many bourbon hunters have. Available at a much more reasonable price point than most 15 year old whiskies, you can expect to pay between $130 – $160 for this bottle. With the classic Barton flavors that almost any bourbon fan loves, this whiskey is oaky, sweet, and full of an earthiness that is absolutely stellar.
For That ‘Special Someone’
A ‘Special Someone’ doesn’t have to be a crush or a partner. To me, a special someone is that family member or friend that you want to show your appreciation to. Someone who has made such an immeasurable impact on your life that you want to show kindness to them.
For that person, I would recommend a bottle of ‘The Bond.’ It is exactly why we made this bourbon. To celebrate the friends, family, and mentors that have made us into the people that we are today. Our co-founders, Ben, William, and Myself, are forever grateful for those who have sacrificed to help us succeed, to those who have made us laugh and cry, and most importantly to those we could not imagine living without.
So, this holiday season, get your special someone a gift that truly embodies your gratitude and feelings towards them: Shop The Bond.
