Christmas Spirits: Perfectly Packaged

There’s nothing quite like spirits to get people into the spirit of Christmas, but when gifting alcohol you really need to move away from the ordinary – does anyone really want a can of Budweiser with a glass? – and go for something extra special or, at the very least, great looking.

We’ve pulled together a selection of the more desirable kind, covering fashion, music, style and even football for the David Beckham fans… check these out.

The Pogues' Irish Whiskey, Β£29.99The Pogues’ Irish Whiskey – Brand New for Christmas!

Could anything be more Christmassy than The Pogues? Now you can listen to ‘The Fairytale Of New York‘ while sipping on a tipple that has captured the spirit of the band – created with the sole intention of spreading that same raucous joy.

Produced by West Cork Distillers in Ireland’s rugged coastal spot, Skibbereen, The Pogues is a blend of 50% Irish grain whiskey aged in bourbon oak casks and 50% single malt Irish whiskey aged in sherry casks.

Crafted in small batches in handmade copper stills and aged for three years and a day, this rebellious liquor has an aroma of malts and cracked nuts with a sweet taste and a smooth intense flavour.

Not for the faint hearted.

 

George Clooney’s Casamigos TequilaCasamigos Anejo, Blanco & Respado

Tequila! Those in the know, know how to drink Tequila, and it’s not as a shot with salt and lime at the back-end of a massive session on the beer. Start and finish your evening drinking only the best 100% agave tequila, and you can cruise along with the best of them.

Casamigos Tequila – β€œBrought To You By Those Who Drink It”  – is privately owned by George Clooney, long-time friend, bar and restaurant mogul Rande Gerber, and Discovery Land Company CEO & founder Michael Meldman.

β€œCasamigos Blanco is crisp and clear, with subtle hints of vanilla and a smooth finish, Casamigos Reposado is smooth and clean with hints of caramel, and Casamigos AΓ±ejo is a perfect balance of sweetness from the Blue Weber agaves, layered with barrel oak and subtle hints of spice with a lingering smooth finish. All expressions are great served neat or on the rocks, and are the perfect base for premium cocktails,” says Gerber.

β€œWe worked on the creation of Casamigos Tequila with our master distiller in Jalisco, Mexico, for years and held many blind tastings until we knew we got it right. We’ve been drinking Casamigos with friends and family for over six years,” added Clooney. (Serious party!)

Each batch is numbered and signed by Gerber and Clooney. Get on that.

Limited Edition Haig Club Bottle (70cl), Β£55David Beckham’s Haig Club Single Grain Scotch Whisky

There’s just no stopping The Beckham’s…

Haig Club Single Grain Scotch Whisky, from the House of Haig, was created in partnership with David Beckham, and the star of this year’s Haig Clubβ„’ Christmas gift range is a luxurious limited edition bottle (70cl), crowned with a crystal effect stopper that was inspired by the bespoke Haig Club decanter David Beckham received for his 40th birthday, earlier this year.

Fresh and clean, with notes of butterscotch and toffee, Haig Club is now available in a miniature (5cl) bottle. The β€˜wee dram’ is an exact replica of the iconic blue bottle, and just Β£4.50 at The Whisky Shop.

Stocking filler or one for the inside pocket? You decide.

 

Roberto Cavalli VodkaRoberto Cavalli Vodka (Very Large 6 Litre Bottle), Β£395

Treat your fashionista to a little Cavalli this Christmas, or a very large, 6 litre bottle, of Roberto Cavalli Vodka…

The first vodka entirely produced in Italy was inspired by and dedicated to the sexy woman – the iconic, eternal muse for Cavalli style.

β€œI want to have fun whatever I do. Everything must bring me joy, enthusiasm, life…” said the world-renowned fashion designer. β€œI love the pureness of vodka, especially of my vodka: it is like water and fire coming together in a single element.”

Pretentious? Whatever.

This giant bottle is Β£375, but check our gallery for a sleek but affordable treat.

Mr Lyan Bottled Cocktails

Toss those cans aside – in the recycling bin, dude! –  here’s something a little more special for the ready-mixed cocktail lovers.

International bartender of the year, and the man behind award-winning bars Dandelyan and White Lyan, has released a range of bottled cocktails just in time for Christmas. His pre-made top bar-quality cocktails include the Spotless Martini, created with Mr Lyan‘s own gin and crisp vermouth, combined with both olive and lemon peel distillates; the Rainy Day Spritz, combining raspberry eau de vie, crisp vermouth and bitter rhubarb liqueur; the Candlelit Manhattan: Using Mr Lyan’s bourbon, sweet vermouths, bitters and infused with wax; the Diamond Rickey: A blend of Mr Lyan’s Gin, a lime and almond liqueur and grapefruit distillate; and the Bonfire Old Fashioned: Using Mr Lyan Whisky, cola bitters and rare lapsang souchong tea, which adds an inventive smoky core to the popular cocktail.

Mm… just do it.

Mr Lyan Candlelight Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Rickey, Spritz & Martini

 

Snuffle Dog Beer*Snuffle Dog Beer, Β£2_50+

Finally, don’t forget the dog! How could you? Grr…

Dear Dog , do you find yourself curled up by the fireplace in the pub every weekend, watching on as the humans laugh and converse whilst drinking that sweet smelling, chilled drink they call beer, wishing you could have a little tipple too? After all, your week has been just as strenuous as theirs, you’ve chased squirrels, kept guard waiting for the post man, barked at the neighbours and kept the human warm during these cold months!

Made in a real brewery in Belgium, Snuffle Dog Beer is the ultimate liquid refreshment, designed especially for dogs and made with beef and malt barley extracts.

*Technically Snuffle is not a real beer: it contains no alcohol whatsoever and it is non-sparkling.

That’s all, folks. But check out our gallery for loads more options.

Words: Sarah Hardy

Brands: Berkeley Square, Bruicladdich, Casamigos, Chambord, Cointreau, Courvoisier, Dalmore, Delicious Art, Grand Marnier, Haig Club, Imperial Collections, Johnnie Walker, Mount Gay, Mr Lyan, Opihr, Regal Rogue, Remy Martin, Roberto Cavalli, Snow Leopard, Snuffle Dog, Tanquerary, Tequila Rose, The Dublin Liberties, The King of Soho, The Pogues, The Wild Geese, Thomas, Dakin, Whitley Neill