When it comes to gifts of alcohol, the lone bottle of wine seems to be the ever popular choice. But why not jazz it up a little this Christmas by bringing one of the following festive season-only offerings to the party?
From all-inclusive hampers and packages with tasting glasses included, to beautifully adorned advent calendars and Insta-worthy gift sets, there’s bound to be one that will please the pickiest of recipients.
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Festive Kit
With notes of créme brulee, natural pecan, and a burst of citrus, the Auchentoshan 12 Year Old single malt is arguably the taste of the festive season in a bottle. It’s now available as a kit that comes inclusive of a Auchentoshan branded tasting glass as well, so you can enjoy your pour of whisky neat with class and poise. The Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Festive kit (S$95) can be found at retailers such as Fairprice, Cold Storage, and Giant, among others.
Bottles & Bottles 12 Days Of Whisky Gift Set
Sample a wide variety of whiskies – ranging from Irish to bourbon, single malts to blended – with this slick and simple advent calendar that’s great for those getting into the wonderful world of whiskies. 12 different 30ml drams await, including highly raved selections like the Wolfburn Aurora Single Malt and the Tullamore Dew 14 Irish Whiskey. The 12 Days Of Whisky Gift Set (S$99) is available at Bottles & Bottles.
Brewlander Christmas Advent Calendar
The inaugural advent calendar from Singapore’s top craft beer brewery doesn’t disappoint. Going beyond simply offering a different beer each day as you count your way down 12 days away from Christmas, the box of 12 locally-made brews actually contains three yet-released seasonal brews (including two new pastry sours) you won’t find anywhere else. There’s no better gift for that craft beer geek friend of yours. The Brewlander Christmas Advent Calendar (S$78) is available via Brewlander’s website.
Not many are aware of this, but one of the best whiskies to be used in a highball is actually a Dewar’s – as independently voted by the bartenders of Japan. This festive season, make your own highball at home (just combine whisky with chilled soda water) using the Dewar’s 15 Year Old. Master blender Stephanie Macleod launched the expression back in 2009 to be a lighter blended Scotch, full of honey, toffee, and floral notes, and is great when used in a highball. The Dewar’s 15 Year Old is sold at retailers like Paneco, Cold Storage, and iShopChangi, among others.
El Dorado 5 Years Old Christmas Fruit Cake
If you, like us, love your Christmas treats with a splash (a big splash) of alcohol, then this is the fruit cake you’d want. Margarine-free with no preservatives and made-to-order using premium Dutch butter, dried fruits, and spices, the rum-soaked cake is fed with El Dorado 5 Years Old rum for at least 2 weeks to ensure intensity of flavour. A collaboration between Spun Spirits and Basuki’s Bakery, they are also donating 10% of the cake’s proceeds to charity Ray of Hope. Pre-order the El Dorado 5 Years Old Christmas Fruit Cake (there’s the option to get a bottle of rum as well) online via Spun Spirits’ website.
Hendrick’s Measurement Maestro Pack
Become your own bartender at festive gatherings with this easy box set that comes with a full bottle of Hendrick’s Gin and a Hendrick’s Jigger, so you can say goodbye to casual free pouring. Try making a Hendrick’s Cranberry Fizz (their official festive drink) from the comfort of home. Simply mix Hendrick’s Gin with cranberry juice, then topped with your choice of bubbly – we recommend champagne, of course – and served in a tall glass garnished with sliced cucumber, fresh sprigs of mint, and fresh cranberries. The Hendrick’s Measurement Maestro Pack (S$89) is available online at since1887.sg.
Horoyoi and Strong Zero festive flavours
Weather you’re thinking about going hard or taking it easy this year-end, Beam Suntory’s range of ready-to-drink canned chu-hi cocktails will sort you out. Just in time for the yuletide celebrations, Horoyoi’s light and refreshing Ramune Sour and Lychee & Grapefruit flavours (from S$3.90), as well as Strong Zero’s hard-hitting yet rejuvenating White Grape and Apple Double flavours (from S$6.90) are now in stores like Lazada, Shopee, and Cold Storage, among others.
Little Farms Christmas hampers
Trying to achieve that ‘wow’ effect with your gift? Look no further than these festive hampers available for pre-order at Little Farms. There are a variety of combinations to choose from, but the ones that catches our thirsty eyes are the Christmas Home Party (S$120) and Ultimate Christmas Selection (S$500) bundles. Find items like red wine, champagne and even ready-made cocktails to booze up your affair, best enjoyed with yummy bites that come along with it such as chocolate truffles, sourdough crackers, and butter shortbread.
Penfolds Holiday Gift Collection
Not your average Penfolds, this special collection by the famed Aussie wine producer comes packaged in boxes with celebratory confetti designs to harken the rightfully jubilant spirit this year-end. The coveted Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, Bin 311 Chardonnay, and Bin 8 Shiraz Cabernet, as well as the Max’s range, are all included in this curated collection, ensuring there’s something for both lovers of red or white. The Penfolds Holiday Gift Collection will be available at select wine retailers.
That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar 2022
With so many gin labels available these days, it can be a challenge trying them all. Here to bring you up to speed with 24 different gins this Christmas however is an advent calendar by That Boutique-y Gin Company (S$175.12), where everything from fantastically fruity gins to London Dry styles with a twist await. Whisky fans, there’s one for you too, with the equally amazing That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar (S$277.20), where you’ll get to taste an assortment of 24 different single malts, single grains, and blended whiskies. Get them on EC Proof.
BONUS: Maker’s Mark Specialty Christmas Cocktails
If you’re more in the mood for an experience rather than buying bottles, Maker’s Mark is bringing home the comforting taste of bourbon through a line-up of Christmas cocktails via seven bars across the city just for this special season. At Singapore’s top bar Jigger & Pony for instance, we’re eyeing the Santa’s Old Fashioned (S$28), a fun concoction of popcorn-infused Maker’s Mark 46, spiced vanilla syrup, fig, and cinnamon. Or head on up to Marina Bay stalwart LeVeL33, where the warm and inviting Chocolate Marktini (S$26) made using crème de cacao, chocolate ganache, and nama chocolate awaits.
[Read more: The new Coravin Pivot is the accessible wine preservation tool for everyday drinkers]
About the Author
Dannon Har is the Managing Editor of Spill. Discovering his innate gift for drinking only at a ripe age, he spares no time trying to find more delicious drops to imbibe during his time on Earth. When he’s not minding every detail at Spill, he spends his time concocting luscious libations and sharing them with folks that visit his home bar.