For the last of our Christmas Gift Guides for 2024, we thought we’d look at a few bottles that were released this year. After all, if you haven’t started in on your Christmas list yet, then your local bottle shop is probably going to be your best bet at this stage.

Not that there is anything wrong with giving the gift of liquid. In fact, a well chosen ‘consumable’ bottle of spirits is seen by many as preferable to just getting more ‘stuff’.

Through a bottle, you can open up flavours that someone might not know existed, you can allow them to explore a spirit they may not be overly familiar with or a brand they know about but haven’t yet explored.

And it doesn’t need to be expensive (although if you are using one of our affiliate links, we’d prefer it was …), but seriously, no matter what your price point, there is a whole world of spirits to mine … these are just a few of our favourites.

SirDavis

PIN IT

There are quite a few reasons to gift SirDavis this season. The main one, of course, is that it was created in collaboration with Beyoncé. But if you need two more (and to our mind, these are equally important) there is a prancing pony on the bottle, and the overall look and feel of said bottle would look amazing on a bar cart. Oh, and yeah, it also has notes of tangy Seville oranges, raisins, clove, cinnamon, ginger, toffee and Demerara sugar.

For more information, go to reservebar.com

Espolòn Flor de Oro

PIN IT

We’ve long had a soft spot for Espolòn, and we were more than a little excited when it released its Flor de Oro. Be aware that this was a limited edition for Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), but if you can still find a bottle, there would be no better gift. Infused with natural marigold flower extract, it’s aged in new oak barrels for two months and blends the floral and citrus aromas of marigolds with fruit-forward notes from the oak.

For more information, go to reservebar.com

Fielden’s Fieldnotes series – Hedgerow

PIN IT

While the first of Fielder’s Fieldnote Series didn’t get a huge amount of press, we love everything about it. Firstly, and this can not be stressed enough, it’s an English whisky. A whisky, we note, that celebrates the terroir of the English countryside where Fielden farms its rye, wheat and barley. The series has been designed to represent the brand’s ‘spirit style’, so this first one, Hedgerow, represents the fruity and creamy character of Fielden Rye Whisky.

For more information, go to fielden.com

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond

PIN IT

When a brand that is known for its secondary finishes chooses to release an expression that is completely unfinished, then it’s worth taking notice. Aged for nearly six years, the expression offers honey latte, light fruit syrup and toasted oak notes on the palate. But, it’s the fact that this expression is Bottled-In-Bond that also caught our attention. Master Distiller Owen Martin has created something extremely special with this tribute to tradition.

For more information, go to caskcartel.com

Angostura 200th-anniversary edition

PIN IT

While there are countless amazing Bitters brands on the market, you really can’t go past Angostura. Go to any bar, anywhere in the world, and the one thing that you can be guaranteed to find is a bottle of Angostura. Again, this is a limited edition, with only 120,000 bottles released globally, but any cocktail nerd would be stoked to receive this … after all, not many brands can claim that 200-year anniversary title.

For more information, go to reservebar.com

The Macallan Horizon

PIN IT

While we generally agree that what is in the bottle is far more important than the bottle itself, we’d be lying if we didn’t admit that seeing a good bit of packaging can leave us weak at the knees. So unsurprisingly, one look at The Macallan’s Horizon practically had us on the floor. Created in collaboration with Bentley Motors, this expression was everything it needed to be – a testament to unparalleled craftsmanship and a shared dedication to excellence.

For more information, go to internationalwineshop.com

Seasn

PIN IT

Although technically released right at the end of 2023, we’ll still give Seasn a jersey for creating alcohol-free bitters. And anyway, to our mind, any brand that describes itself as being ABV-agnostic deserves a mention. The bitters come in two variations: Light & Dark. The Light is green & zesty and perfect for Martinis or Margaritas. The Dark is aromatic & spicy, so think Old Fashioned or a Manhattan.

For more information, go to seasnyourdrinks.com

Maestro Dobel 50 Extra Añejo – 1968 Tequila

PIN IT

If you noticed the recurring themes of a stunning bottle and an anniversary release here, then you wouldn’t be wrong. In a bottle that would look breathtaking on a bar cart, this Extra Añejo commemorates the first time Maestro Dobel has used Armagnac barrels in the maturation process. It is joined by 1969 & 1970 to commemorate the use of Sauternes and Amarone barrels, but the 1968, with notes of honey, dried fruit, chocolate and tobacco, is pretty special. 

For more information, go to reservebar.com

Teeling Wonders of Wood Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Virgin Swedish Oak

PIN IT

Especially at this time of year, a Whiskey with notes of crystalised ginger and almond, certainly wouldn’t go astray. The third release within the brand’s Wonders of Wood series, Virgin Swedish Oak, continues the exploration of the differences that unique styles of wood have on maturation. So, if you have anyone on your Christmas list who is into flavour comparison or even just Irish whiskey, this is a no-brainer. 

For more information, go to reservebar.com