8 Unusual Alcoholic Drinks That Actually Taste Good

These drinks may have eyebrow raising ingredients or concoctions, but when you take that first sip, you can expect enough eyebrow raise because they are delicious. Great drinks aren’t afraid to experiment and innovate, and these do just that. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but here it most definitely does. So, if you’re after a curious bottle to gift for someone’s birthday, or perhaps a Valentine’s Present, then explore these tasty creations below.

Ukiyo Blossom Gin

Produced in the shadow of the Sakurajima volcano, the outcome is a delicate, fantastically floral gin. Shōchū spirit is distilled again with juniper, local mandarin orange, and a host of Japanese botanicals, the most stand out of which is aromatic cherry blossom. It’s light and bright but has earth juniper and angelica root too. The Sakura flower inclusion is strong no doubt, and won’t please everyone, but if you love it, you’ll really love it. We can’t not mention this bottle too, which is absolutely stunning and 100% a must keep once you’ve drained it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Price: £36.99 (usually more!)

Jaffa Cake Gin

This is one of those gins that will pique your curiosity, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be desperate to try. This timeless treat has been repurposed to flavour gin, but don’t go thinking it’s overly sweet and unnatural. Fresh orange peel is used, cocoa powder and get this, actual Jaffa cakes for that authentic, unmistakable taste. Far from being just a gimmick, this won the most prestigious award for flavoured gin in 2021, as well as other top awards, praised for its delicacy, balance and crowd-pleasing flavour. It’s become iconic for a Negroni so give it a go!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Price: £29.95

The Kraken Black Spiced Rum - Roast Coffee

This is a really interesting sipper. It brings the sweetness of a cold brew Arabica coffee and therefore more of a liqueur vibe than a rum (though at 40%, be careful). If you’re into pure rums then this probably isn’t for you, but if you love coffee and sweeter rums, you have to try this. It’s unique in this space, with a dessert style to it. It’s smooth, the spice holds strong, particularly on the finish. The Kraken awakes!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Price: £26.90

Captain Morgan Tiki Mango & Pineapple Spirit

This is a full, unashamed celebration of tropical rum. Inside the devilish tiki bottle is a much lighter but still punchy rum spirit compared with the original, but don’t be expecting a dark rum like that. The pineapple and mango are sweet and vibrant, but there’s enough bitterness for balance too with a little pepper for warmth. If someone is into cocktails, then this would be a great addition for a splash of sunshine.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Price: £19.95

Tequila Rose Strawberry Liqueur

Tequila Rose has icon status by now, providing many a tequila shot alternative that actually tastes nice. Tequila spirit is joined by strawberry cream liqueur, a mix that won’t please too many agave purists, but the results are splendid. It’s deliciously sweet and creamy like a grown-up strawberry milkshake. Yes it’s not the most complex and challenging drink in the world, far from it, but if you want a tasty boozy treat that is guaranteed to hit the spot, tequila rose is tailor made for it

Size: 700ml
ABV: 15%
Price: £13.75

1800 Coconut Spirit

This is lighter, coconut spin on a silver Blanco Tequila, a flavour that you don’t usually associate with the Mexican spirit. Nonetheless, it works. The grassy agave still comes through, matching up with the natural coconut flavouring nicely. The smoothness is incredible, and there are all kinds of cocktails it would elevate. Imagine a less creamy Piña Colada and you’re getting there – curious and divine.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Price: £39.49

Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Liqueur

How about this for an American delight? Whiskey with peanut butter. It’s nutty paradise and would be so good in cocktails. Imagine a peanut butter Old Fashioned? Creamy oak and vanilla come through as the nuttiness fades away on the finish, and it’s just so easy drinking. Don’t think of it as a flavoured whiskey, it’s very much its own thing, and if you like peanut butter and whiskey, it would be so difficult not to love this.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Price: £21.95 (usually more!)

Puschkin Nuts & Nougat Liqueur

Forget chocolate bars, we’re talking about nuts and nougat in booze. More specifically, vodka. Puschkin make award-winning vodka, so the base spirit here is fantastically smooth, and now it’s got this ‘Kinder Bueno’ esque twist, it is to die for. The balance is spot on with this one, and it really is dangerously easy to drink.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 17.5%
Price: £12.94 (usually more!)

If you want to take a look as some weird but wonderful bottles, have a gander at these.

The Best Last Minute Boozy Gifts for All Drinks Lovers

It is the last week before Christmas, and if you’re anything like me, there are still presents to buy and bottles to bring to parties. There are plenty of new releases of spirits before Christmas and I’ve had a chance to try a few which are becoming new favourites. I have a few old favourites too. Below is a list of great spirits to suit all pockets should you need to buy something late before Christmas or are thinking of taking something different to a New Year party. Always make sure of the delivery times when it is this close to Christmas and look out for these if you’re in your favourite specialist retailer. I’m giving ideas from brandy to tequila, so I hope you find something you think you or a loved one might like.

Whisky

Dalmore 2005 and 2008 2023 Editions

The vintage releases from Dalmore are always very sought after. With Dalmore’s expert use of multiple types of sherry casks, their whiskies are known for complexity and depth of flavour and these two expressions are no different. They have slightly different profiles with the 2005 having a little more punch and the 2008 being more luxuriant, they are both worth seeking out and any whisky love would be more than pleased have either of them.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 49.3% & 45.8%
Find them here: £375 & £155

Busker Single Pot Still

Busker is new to the UK market and it’s about time this delicious whiskey has come to our shores. Beyond their Triple Cask range, the Royal Oak distillery as their Single Collection and my favourite is this Single Pot Still whiskey. Quintessentially Irish, this is made with both malted and unmalted barley which is unlike single malt whisky and gives the whisky a unique flavour profile of fruits and spices. It’s a great all-rounder with a difference.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44.3%
Find them here: £29.95

Meikle Tòir The Sherry One

The Meikle Tòir whiskies have been created by Billy Walker at Glenallachie distillery. He set out to make the perfect peated whisky from Speyside, and in doing so has created four of them, The Original, The Sherry one, The Chinquapin One and The Turbo. No guessing what The Turbo is all about! The others have a ppm count of 35, and the Turbo is 71 ppm. My favourite was The Sherry One, with all its fruitcake and spice with an oily peaty smoke running though the core of the dram.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48%
Find them here: £52

Table Whisky 

I love this idea of crossing the wine world with the whisky world. Table whisky is a single grain whisky, traditionally a poorer cousin to single malt, but in this case that’s certainly not true. Distilled in Edinburgh, matured in virgin oak and sherry casks it tastes of popcorn, toffee and raspberry jam and I loved it! And at £35 it is certainly an affordable whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find them here: £35

The Long & Short of it WS:02

This great new blend hails from the new Boarders distillery. They mix fermentation times which are both long and short to give a complex flavour profile whilst remaining well balanced and fruity. It’s matured in first fill ex bourbon barrels giving plenty of sweetness and is so well integrated with the grain whisky. I’m a fan of blends and this one is yummy. And right now they are giving away glasses with every bottle.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £40

Turntable Paradise Funk

Turntable are a new blending house in Scotland that have now produced a core range. There are six whiskies which are both peated and un-peated. My favourite was Paradise Funk which has flavours of caramelised pineapple, toffee and lots of vanilla. What I also really like about these whiskies is that they give the precise breakdown of the blend. This one is: - 30% unnamed Speyside whisky aged in a virgin oak barrel. - 20% Benrinnes matured in a Chinkapin oak barrel.- 18% Invergordon single grain aged in a Cognac cask.- 13% Knockdhu matured in a virgin oak barrel.- 11% North British single grain matured in a virgin oak barrel.- 8% Blair Athol aged in a first-fill bourbon cask. This openness gives a new way to discover flavour.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find them here: £52.95

Glendronach 12 Year Old

This is an absolute classic sherry styled 12 year old whisky. Full of fruitcake flavours and spice with sweetness and a plentiful mix of dried and fresh orchard fruits. There are a few contenders for a classic sherry style whisky, and most of them are 15 years old and more expensive. This is great value for what you get. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find them here: £45.50

Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old

This year saw the long-awaited new core range from Glenglassaugh, and I was blown away by the 12 year old. Of the three whiskies released, two were non age statement whiskies and were very good, this one was the least expensive and I though the most accomplished. The packaging is well thought out with lighter glass for sustainability and is stunning. The whisky has great depth of flavour, beyond its 12 years and there are also vibrant fruity notes too. For value versus flavour this is my whisky of the year. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find them here: £49.95

Kavalan Vinho Barrique

This is a whisky which covers the exotic side of things. Hailing from Taiwan, it has a maturation which firstly doesn’t have to be as long as in Scotland as the climate in Taiwan is sub-tropical, but that climate also turbo charges the whisky with flavour. This Vinho Barrique matured expression has so much red fruit and spice it has become unctuous and decadent. With flavours of dark chocolate, plumbs, kiwi, orange, raspberries and red apples this is, like so many whiskies from Kavalan an expressive, exciting whisky. All this complexity and development, and the fact it’s a single cask at cask strength, completely justifies spending more on that special person for Christmas.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 56.3%
Find them here: £198

Yellow Rose Outlaw

Moving over to the other side of the world, I was excited to try some American whiskies from Texas. Made from Texan yellow corn, this is rich and sweet and having been matured in smaller than normal barrels in Houston, the flavours are intense and rich. If you wanted to take a huge step up from drinking bourbons which are readily available in our supermarkets, then this would be a great place to start.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find them here: £63.70

Gin

Melifera Gin

This is an organically produced Gin from France with many different hand-picked botanicals and preserves the biodiversity of the area and supporting the Black Bee Conservatory in Oléron. It is a very herbal gin with floral aromas and flavours mixing in well too. If you like a dry gin without much sweetness, this is certainly going to be up your street.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find them here: £39.75

Nordés Gin

Occationally I come across a gin which manages to hit all the bases. A great cocktail base, a good gin for a martini, and fabulous in a gin and tonic. Nordes does exactly that. It comes from Galicia in northwest Spain and is made from Albariño-grape-based spirit. It has great balance of floral, herbal, juniper and also has just the right amount of sweetness in its fruit profile to make this one of best contemporary gins I have tasted in a long while. And you can find it in 3 Litre bottles! Bravo Nordes.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £31.99

Micil Irish Poitín

This is something a little different from Ireland. Made in Galway from grain, it is flavoured with bogbean which gives a spicy kick, and some softer floral notes. It’s super over ice and makes great cocktails. If you’d like to try something a little different, or don’t need yet another bottle of gin on your drinks table, then this is definitely worth trying.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find them here: £33.94

Vodka

Nine Tines

Nine Tines is an English vodka made in Yorkshire. The potatoes it’s made from come from their own farm and from within nine miles of where it is made and bottled. 20 varieties of potato give a rich viscous vodka which has nice sweetness and balance. A great addition to the world of vodka.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £39

Dima’s Vodka

Here at The Three Drinkers, we are a huge fan of Dima’s Vodka. If you buy vodka, then this is the one we would advocate every time. Apart from being delicious, viscous, and versatile, it is made in the Ukraine and owned by Ukrainian Dima. From every bottle bought, Dima donates £5 to the plight of Ukraine. What more reason do you need to buy a bottle!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £35

Brandy

Bardinet Inspirations

A new brandy from Bardinet! This is made with mixing in mind, and it is a great brandy for mixing. There is plenty of flavour to stand up to all sorts of mixers and other spirits. Drink it long with ginger ale or lemonade, in a Sidecar or Brandy Alexander. This brandy handles them all, it’s amazing value and can easily be found in most supermarkets. Perfect for Christmas, and adding a little to mulled wine.

 Size: 700ml
ABV: 36%
Find them here: £17

Frapin Chateau de Fontpinot XO

For something more upmarket, I would always trust in Frapin. The Cognac they produce is refined and delicate in flavour. There are signature floral and orange aromas and flavours which will please anyone who is a Cognac lover. The Chateau de Fontpinot XO is my favourite, but their VSOP at under half the price is also excellent. This is a Cognac for beginners and connoisseurs alike.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find them here: £135

Tequila

For my last suggestions, I wanted to come to the world of aged Tequila. In our youth, I am sure we all remember salt on our hands and lemon segments in our teeth, but as we move on we sought out Tequila which was smooth, flavoursome and deserving of our cocktails. From there, is the world of sipping Tequila which has been aged in barrels and has extra flavour and sweetness. These Tequilas may not be the cheapest in the world, but they are definitely worth seeking out if you haven’t tried one before.

Volcan De Mi Tierra XA 

If a whole bottle is a little too much to stomach on your budget at the moment, then this will be found in nightclubs and bars. The elegant bottle has a little party trick. The base which is shaped like a volcano lights up and will certainly be noticed. I’d try it neat before mixing it to experience the full flavour. After that, mix away or put it over ice and enjoy.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £196

Enemigo 00 Zero Zero

Aged for three years in oak, this looks like a rum or whisky in the glass. It is fruity with lots of agave flavour, but also sweet and incredibly well balanced. Superb over ice, it is a great entry into the super-premium world of oak aged Tequila. Flavours of Vanilla, charred oak, green apple and nuttiness mix with plentiful vanilla and honey.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £137.70

Mijenta Anejo

This tequila is aged for eighteen months in oak and is created in small batches., The wood used for aging is French oak, French acacia and cherry wood which gives a great deal of complexity to the tequila with fruits, spices and sweet notes of butterscotch and butter mixing with tobacco and nuts. A great all-round aged tequila which if you’ve not tried, but have tried aged Tequila before, I would seek out.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find them here: £152

And there we have it. My suggestions for a very merry Christmas and new year. It’s great time of year to experiment and try something you’ve not had before. I always find the best times to do that, are times I’m with others, and this is a time of year where we get together and share. I always feel drinks are to be shared.

For more last minute gift guides, check out these distillery and winery tours!

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Drinks Lovers: Distillery Tours in the UK & Ireland

Distillery and winery tours make for amazing gifts for anyone who’s into their drinks, and they’re usually not as expensive as you might think. Getting up close and personal with whisky, gin or wine production really brings the drink to life, and these tours from across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland do exactly that, each with rave reviews and in spectacular locations.

Whisky Distillery Tours

Jameson Distillery Bow Street, Dublin

This place is an absolute monument to Irish Whiskey. If you didn’t know, then Jameson is the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world, so it’s no surprise that they have a top notch set up to explore it. Conveniently, it’s also in Dublin so easy to get to. John Jameson founded this former factory in 1780, and you can tailor your experience there by budget and activities. Options include all kinds of tasting sessions at the Jameson centrepiece bar, how to blend your own whiskey, a big focus on whiskey cocktails, and all the rich history too.

Find more info here

Glenfiddich, Dufftown

William Grant laid the first stones to this distillery in 1886, making it one of the oldest family-owned Scotch whisky distilleries going. It’s world-renowned, and the 35-hectare site in the Valley of the Deer (between Aberdeen and Inverness) is one of the most impressive distilleries to explore. Explore picturesque pagodas, a traditional aging warehouse, giant stillhouses and bottling lines, with rich details every step of the way, that only come with so much heritage and experience. The guides have a great reputation, opening up the world of Glenfiddich for you, and all before a generous taste of the good stuff – golden Speyside Scotch. There are so many wonderful distilleries, but if we have to pick one, this is probably the one to visit.

Find more info here

Penderyn, Brecon Beacons

Though they have two other distilleries in Swansea and Llandudno, Brecon Beacons is the original 2004 site for Penderyn, the distillery that brought whisky back to Wales. This award-winning 1-hour tour welcomes more than 40,000 visitors a year to the easy-on-the-eye Brecon Beacons. Visitors see everything – the mill, the mash turn, the state-of-the-art stills, and it’s all finished with a sample of the acclaimed whisky itself. It’s not got centuries behind it like some distilleries in the UK, but it’s making history all the same.

Find more info here

The English Distillery, Norfolk

Just like Wales, whisky distilleries have been popping up in England over the last two decades, and the more relaxed manufacturing rules and warmer climate allow for different, experimental whiskies. When King (then Prince) Charles opened The English Distillery in rural Norfolk in 2005, it was the first of its kind in a century. A prolific and acclaimed malt whisky producer, the tour operates 7 days a week, showcasing the magnificent distilling floor, barrel warehouse and more. The tour is known for devilish detail whilst also being easy to follow, and those that don’t wish to take part can take a stroll by the stunning nearby river.

Find more info here

Gin Distillery Tours

Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Hampshire

World-famous, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Hampshire is a must for any gin lover. The site once housed a Victorian paper mill, and the derelict redbrick has been intertwined with modern architectural beauty, like the glasshouse centrepiece, which contains all the Bombay botanicals. The reviews are impressive, the pictures are stunning, and a recent 2021 upgrade brought in a cinema room and refreshed cocktail menu to match the interactive cocktail bar. It’s a botanical paradise, exploring the masterful details of how the ingredients become the liquid, as well as fascinating ecology and sustainability tricks. There are plenty of tour options too for flexibility.

Find more info here

Edinburgh Gin, Edinburgh

This is the place to go for insight into the Scottish capital’s rich history with juniper, and you also get to visit one of the most stunning cities in Europe. The working distillery has such an atmosphere that its one of the top ranked attractions a city full of them. The bar and visitor centre is subterranean enhancing the vibe, where you can taste their award-winning gins (the Rhubarb is a favourite of ours), and exactly what you try (or your giftee if you’re still feeling selfless) is up to you – there’s chocolate pairings, mixology adventures, or the classic distillery tasting experience.

Find more info here

Gower Gin, Swansea

We love Gower’s GWYR gin for its pure feel, and it turns out that their tour experience is just as good. A far cry form giant distillery tours, this is intimate. The husband-and-wife team behind this Welsh gin started in a ‘bike shed’ at the end of their garden, and still do things on a small scale at their charming micro-distillery. Foraged botanicals like gorse flower, sea buckthorn and linen meet quirky additions such as teas and cubeb pepper, and everything is inspired by the seaside or Welsh influences. They now have their peaceful tasting garden available… and you get all of that for free! Yep, free. So if you’re gifting it, maybe you can give them money to buy a bottle at the end… because they’ll definitely want to.

Find more info here

Dingle Distillery, County Kerry

The great thing about Dingle Distillery in Ireland is that it’s not just award-winning gin produced there, but whiskey and vodka too, so you get a unique insight into what it takes to master different spirits up close. The generous guided tour covers the entire production process, from working with local farms to finessing the final product… which you will get to sample of course. It’s a really well put together enthusiastic and informative experience, and the local port town of Dingle is well worth a visit too.

Find more info here

Winery and Vineyard Tours

Simpsons Estate, Kent

If anywhere is the home of English wine, it has to be Kent. Nestled covertly amongst the North Downs slopes, not far from Canterbury, lies the Simpsons Estate, headed up by Charles and Ruth, veterans of the English wine revival. The area itself is already an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and that’s before the vineyard, where you’ll walk the iconic Roman Road and learn everything from in the vine to wine process. To finish, the Glass House Tasting Room looks out over the winery, where visitors can try the traditional method fizz or innovative 100% Pinot Meunier. The sunset session is very memorable indeed, if it’s available.

Find more info here

Camel Valley, Cornwall

This stunning Cornish vineyard was the first in the UK to be awarded a PDO (Protected Designation Origin) from the EU for its Darnibole vineyard, so it really is special and unique. It’s been refined since the 80s, when English wine was dismissed by many… but they are one of the wineries that have blazed a trail for it. Their Cornwall Brut is famous, they produce a range of red, white, and sparkling wines. Different tastings and tours can be booked, from Daily Guides which cover the fascinating fundamentals of winemaking, to the special Grand Tour.

Find more info here

Glyndwr Vineyard, Wales

In the utterly beautiful Vale of Glenmorgan is Wales’ oldest vineyard, Glyndwr Vineyard, family run since 1979. Their production portfolio is expansive, and features wines that have been picked for the Parliament, the Ryder Cup and NATO. The quaint setting would make for a delightful walk even without the vineyard, but the tour is such good value. The owner does the tour, so knows the place inside out, from the history to the vines to the lamas also on site! The reviews speak for themselves – the tour is so informative, personal and generous, and the setting couldn’t be prettier.

Find more info here

Wicklow Wines, Ireland

You might not think of Ireland when you think of wineries, but Wicklow Wines are the exception. They’ve been lauded over by TripAdvisor, Vogue, Lonely Planet and Michelin star restaurants, offering a behind-the-scenes tour of their small, working winery. They make incredible berried wines, which will be tasted alongside Irish cheeses and chocolates. It was even voted the 2nd best food and drink experience in Ireland!

Find more info here

Of course, this is just a taste of some of the best wineries, vineyards and distilleries in the UK and Ireland, but there are more offering fabulous experiences, many of which we visited in previous series of The Three Drinkers! You can find more Scotch Whisky tours here, more Irish Whiskey tours here, and more English wineries here!

The Sloe Gin Fizz

How about this for a merry elixir? A Sloe Gin Fizz is perfect at Christmastime, and though it usually uses sparkling water for the bubbles, this is the season of going over the top, so we’re swapping in sparkling wine. It balances the sweet against the tart wonderfully, with so much fruity refreshment and brightness. Sloe gin (a liqueur, not a gin), brings a warm berry richness perfect for winter, sparkling wine lightens the mood and cuts through with effervescence, lemon juice brings some sour vibrance, and a little syrup just rounds off the balanced profile. A proper Christmas cocktail.

If you’re not into sloe gin then you are seriously missing out, so if you want more info on it and some recommendations, go here!

Ingredients (for 1)
50ml sloe gin
25ml lemon juice
10ml syrup
sparkling wine to top up
Optional garnishes: maraschino cherry or lemon slice

Method
1.      Shake everything but the wine with plenty of ice until it feels cold to the touch.
2.      Strain into your glass (highball or flute preferably).
3.    Top up with your choice of sparkling wine, be that Champagne, Cava, Prosecco etc.
4.      Garnish with a slice of lemon or cherries and voila!

For a cosier Christmas cocktail, how about The Spiced Clementine Mulled Whisky?

The Drinks Subscriptions to Gift This Christmas

If you’ve picked up on someone dropping hints throughout the year with ‘I’d love to try more gins’, or ‘It’d be handy to have different beers from around the world delivered to your house each month’, then a drinks subscription is a thoughtful and useful gift.

If you know someone’s favourite drink, or that they’re wanting to get into something new, then a drinks subscription is probably the best way to do it. It takes the stress out of wandering the supermarket aisles, checking reviews and after all that, just buying your usual, and leaves it to the experts.

A new batch of your favourite drinks (or potential new favourites) from around the world, arriving at your door every month, with treats, ingredients, guides, and advice – who wouldn’t want that? Let’s explore the best of them.

The Best Cocktail Subscription to Gift This Christmas

The Cocktail Society Cocktail Subscription

The Cocktail Society leads the way when it comes to exploring different cocktails, and it’ a style of drink that massively benefits from subscription services. Cocktails don’t come cheap, so you want to be confident that when you order it, you’re gonna love it. However, it’s easy to play it safe and order that same old favourite. This box, which can arrive monthly or quarterly, contains a ready to drink 500ml cocktail, more cocktail cans from Friends of the Society, ingredients for 2 different DIY cocktails, premium snacks, recipes, guides, discount codes, and even the odd surprise too. It’s a fabulous gift for the cocktail lovers in your life, and it’s free delivery too!  

Find here: £40 per month

The Best Wine Subscription to Gift This Christmas

Majestic Wine Club

For reliability and expansive range, there is a reason Majestic are such a household name. Being part of their Wine Club gives you access to the industry expert’s favourite bottles, 12 of which you get in each case, four times a tear. You also get the ‘Six Mix’ saving, but when buying single bottles, savings and vouchers, free tickets to expert tastings and free delivery for everything. Every bottle is explained, everything can be returned without hassle, and all in all, it’s a very complete and worthwhile wine subscription experience, with 7 different subscriptions to select from. It really brings the world of wine to your front door, or your giftees door… right?

Find here: £99-£199 for a 12 bottles case

The Best Beer Subscription to Gift This Christmas

Beer 52 - The Craft Beer Discovery Club

Beer 52’s Discovery Club is all about just that, with a different themed box delivered to your door every month, containing 8 beers, Ferment magazine and some suitable snacks too. At the time of writing, all the beers celebrate the Celtic Nations, but the variety is huge so it’s great for drinkers that want to try beers from all across the world each month, all selected by experts. Delivery is free, and if you’re not keen on the beers, then they pick up the tab! Mixed beers or light beers are your choices with this one.

Find here: £27 per box

The Best Gin Subscription to Gift This Christmas

Craft Gin Club

We were big fans of their advent calendar, and their subscription is also great for the same reasons. Craft Gin Club are the biggest gin subscription in the UK, and joining it gives you access to their packed boxes. A full-sized bottle of craft gin is the highlight, but there are also ingredients for your own seasonal cocktail, the perfect pairing tonics and garnishes, various delicious treats, and glossy magazine. They list all their previous boxes on the site so you can see what you get for the money, be that December’s Manchester Gin, October’s Mexican, or July’s Scotland. They all look stunning too, and with so many gin lovers at the moment, this will definitely make someone’s Christmas.

Find here: £40-£45 per month

The Best Whisky Subscription to Gift This Christmas

The Whisky Nest

Becoming part of The Whisky Nest brings unique distilleries to your front door, with new releases, modern twists, cocktails, and other exciting ways to explore whisky. At the centre of it all is the 100ml sample, one of the largest on the market, and you’ll get all the information about that featured distillery, tasting cards and videos, free delivery, discounts, and video calls with the community – so it really is a club.

Find here: £18.95 per month

The Best Rum Subscription to Gift This Christmas

Craft Rum Club

Established in 206, Craft Rum Club now offer a really great, flexible subscription service. Each month focuses on a new destination, but you have 6 plans to choose from, so you can explore all kinds of rum, or stick to one style. You can get one bottle or two, and alongside that will be other goodies – mixers, cocktail ingredients, snacks, and their magazine. The rum is full sized too which is always a plus.

Find here: £39.95 per month

The Best Gin to Gift for Christmas 2023

Gin is the dominant spirit at the moment, and it makes for a fantastic Christmas present because it probably has the most beautiful bottles in the drinks industry.

We’ve searched high and low for gins of all styles, Aged, London Dry, Navy Strength, Old Tom and Flavoured, that gin lovers will adore. From delicious simplicity to tasty innovation, these are gins that will raise eyebrows in the best way possible from the minute they’re unwrapped.

Best Cask Aged Gin to Gift for Christmas

Kyrö Dark Gin

It’s not just the easy-on-the-eye packaging that makes this gin stand out, but also the golden hue we normally associate with rum or whisky. From Finnish wholegrain, it’s been cask aged in American oak for a year. The aroma makes an instant impression, with aromatic oak and sandalwood, soft vanilla, sweet zesty citrus and of course, peppery heat from the rye. Kyrö’s aim was to make a gin perfect for winter, and this is so good that it might just be the answer all year round.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 42.6%
Find here: £32.95

Campfire Cask Aged Gin

This is a Bourbon barrel finished gin, that swaps out oaky, woody ageing for those gorgeous Bourbon notes – think vanilla and silky caramel. The gentle herby fragrance and tart lemon round off the sweetness, with blossom, spice and juniper adding some gin familiarity, and roasted hazelnut giving extra flavour and mouthfeel. Award-winning creativity.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £42.49

Best London Dry Gin to Gift for Christmas

East London Liquor Co. Gin

The minimalist label and crystal-clear hue leads you to wonder what lies within, and the answer is a notably, impressively balanced and flavoursome London Dry that may well become a go-to. The botanical run down is a who’s who of gin fundamentals, from the citrusy, coriander, angelica nose, to the bright citrus, juniper, and cardamom spice on the palate, before the oily, refreshing juniper at the end. Reliable with all tonics, all cocktails and bold enough for solo sipping too – and incredible value.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £24.95 (usually more!)

KYNGS London Dry Gin

This is a delightful small-batch Welsh gin, delivering a robust, classic profile that’s masterfully made, Vibrant orange citrus plays off with subtle spice and sturdy juniper in the spotlight. It’s crisp and clean, with delicate refreshment and the perfect ambassador for why simplicity can be delicious. Oh, and there’s the small matter of the lion on top of the bear – that’s because 25% of profits are donated to conservation schemes. Bravo KYNGS.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £34.99

Best Navy Strength Gin to Gift for Christmas

HMS Victory Navy Strength Gin

This is a gin really putting the Navy in Navy Strength, made by the Isle of Wight distillery in association with The National Museum of the Royal Navy. The ship, if you know your history, was Nelson’s at the Battle of Trafalgar, and is docked in Portsmouth a few miles away... and some sales go towards its restoration. The hefty booze is softly integrated for a smooth drinking experience and hearty juniper kick. The rave reviews this gets are impressive, so it’s sure to make a top notch gift.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57%
Find here: £49.94

Bathtub Gin - Navy-Strength

Serial award winner and absolute beauty of bottle, Bathtub Gin’s Navy Strength edition hits heavy, with that 57% apparent from the off, though it is tempered by vivid, up-front citrus. The four c’s follow (cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, and clove) with intensity, and the flavour just lingers forever. A wonderful gift for someone, especially if they loved the original.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57%
Find here: £49.95

Best Old Tom Gin to Gift for Christmas

House of Botanicals Classic Old Tom Gin

Just what the Doctor ordered, because this is Dr. Adam Elmegirab’s first venture into gin after mastering bitters. Moroccan saffron, chamomile flowers and muscovado sugar are added to botanical fundamentals like angelica, orris, coriander, cassia, almond, and citrus peels. The result is serious flavour, with full-bodied juniper jostling with floral and fruity sweetness and a moreish vein of spice throughout. Magical Old Tom.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £30.94

Lytham Bee's Knees Old Tom Gin

Sandgrown Spirits add this Old Tom to the Lytham Gin range, and Bee’s Knees isn’t just a brag, it’s also a nod to the raw honey used, which really does come through with sweetness in the end product. Lavender, pink pepper and lime balance out a smooth and flavoursome gin that goes down a treat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £42.95

Best Flavoured Gin to Gift for Christmas

Mermaid Zest Gin

This alluring Isle of Wight gin delivers a true taste of the island, embracing samphire from the nearby coast, bergamot, rosemary, and Boadicea hops. All in all, the vivid refreshment is so moreish, with herbaceous notes joining zesty citrus for a shining seaside star of a gin.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.49

Stonewall Pink Rhubarb Gin

£1 from every bottle sold goes to Stonewall UK to support the LGBTQ+ community, but importantly, the gin inside is absolutely stunning too. Stonewall’s London Dry intertwines with rhubarb bringing a tasty tartness to proceedings, marrying the sweet, tropical touches and spiced finish happily. It feels luxurious and supports great work – a complete win win.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95

If you have other people to buy for who aren’t gin fans, then fear not because we’ve got Christmas present guides all across our website currently, as well as the best drinks to get in as host. Looking for unique bottles that stand out? Or boxed wine for the countertop? Find these guides and more on the website.

8 Unique Bottles Perfect for Gifting

These uniquely striking bottles are beautiful inside and out and make the perfect Christmas gifts for lovers of rum, gin, vodka, and tequila. Sometimes, brands put everything into their gimmicky packaging and forget about the liquid inside, but these bottles raise eyebrows in the best way possible, delivering on the grand expectations they set once unwrapped.

Mauritius Dodo Gold Rum Dodo Bottle

The dodo has returned, and instead of it’s blue and grey plumage, it’s now full of golden rum from its home, Mauritius. This striking glass decanter is instantly memorable as a gift, filled with a sweet golden rum distilled from Mauritian molasses. Expect aromatic vanilla and notes of banana, berries, and pepper. Every dodo is handcrafted and unique, arriving in a charming fit box, and can be refilled with whatever spirit you choose, making this the gift that keeps on giving.

Size: 1L
ABV: 40%
Find here: £104.95

Stone Gaze Sour Berry Rum

This is a bottle that demands your gaze, so it’s a good thing it’s just a Medusa bottle and not the real thing, otherwise you would end up looking like the bottle itself. So many reviewers talk about buying this just for the bottle, and they all say how surprised they were at the delicious rum inside. It’s a symphony of berries like gooseberry and blackberry, and Caribbean white rum, giving great tang and tropical undertones. It has an almost gin style to the profile – interesting and extremely easy to drink.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £52.24

Engine Gin

Take your presents up a gear this year, with Engine Gin, house in a quirky fuel can that would look more at home in the garage than the drinks cabinet. It’s a distinctly Italian expression within, distilled at Torino Distillati, who also make Malfy by the way. It’s herbal, with crisp space and oily rosemary leaves, but lemon, liquorice and damask rose come through with a late overtake too. Floral, herby, bright and delicate – it’s a delicious surprise that you wouldn’t expect from the ‘bottle’ at all.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £27.50 (usually £33.50)

Sharish Blue Magic Gin

This vibrant Portuguese delight arrives in a lovely, curved bottle displaying a dazzling blue hue, courtesy of blue pea flower. Add tonic however and witness the alchemy as it becomes pink. And it really does. Beyond the spectacle, the gin itself is refreshing and smooth with classic botanicals and tasty raspberries and spice.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.99

Outerspace Vodka

Outerspace go beyond gimmicky packaging, they go to infinity and beyond in fact. Their vodka is distilled five times over from American corn and then filtered through actual ancient meteorites for a true taste of space. When pouring, you’ll discover that it is in fact clear, which might be a shock, bringing that clear, crisp, clean taste. There’s a slight minerality that keeps you on your toes too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £29.99 (usually £32.99)

Crystal Head Aurora Vodka

Sourced from a natural aquifer hidden on the super remote St John’s Newfoundland, which is the most eastern point of the US, Crystal Head has a reputation for absolute purity. It’s filtered seven times before last of all, it goes through a triple-filter diamond cone. Premium English wheat creates an ever so slightly spicier expression than usual, with gentle anise coming through and floral aromas. The beautiful skull was designed with the Northern Lights in mind so it’s beautiful inside out.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £51.99 (usually £66.99)

SPHYNX Tequila - Extra Aged Añejo Black Oak Signature Decanter

Sphynx’s tequila range is pretty new, and every bottle looks spectacular. This is their oldest expression, the Extra Aged Añejo which has been aged in wine barrels, infusing the 100% agave tequila with luxurious depths of oaky vanilla and warming spice, creating a very special 100% caramelized roasted agave liquid.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £248

Kah Reposado Tequila

Kah’s Day of the Dead branding is an instant winner, and ever sip continues to celebrate that artistry. This is really one of those tequilas to give someone who thinks its just a spirit for shotting, delivering smooth, caramel laced spiced fruits, nutty vanilla, and peppery warmth on the finish. Beautiful inside and out.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £49.99

If you’re after more ideas for boozy presents, then check out our 12 secret santa recommendations here for some cheaper ideas that will still impress.

12 Brilliant Boozy Presents For Your Secret Santa 2023

The eagerly anticipated, or in some cases dreaded secret santa is here, and whether you’re out of ideas for someone you know, or completely at a loss because you’ve barely said hello to them, we might have the answer below.

If you know what drinks they like, then we’ve scouted the internet for specific gifts that are surefire hits. If you’re not so sure, then check out the drinks related gifts that have broader appeal at the end – there’ll be something, we promise!

The Best Secret Santa Presents for Gin Lovers

Franklin & Sons Ltd Spirit & Mixer Gin Perfect Serve Hamper

Franklin & Sons have been at the forefront of tonics and mixers since the Victorian era, when Christmas became the Christmas we know and love today. They have a famously eclectic and expansive range, and they’ve included some of their classics here, along with the perfect gins for them and two Copa glasses. With pairings like Tanqueray and Elderflower & Cucumber Tonic, this hamper emphatically shows what the perfect tonic can do.

Find here: £19 (usually more!)

100 Gins Scratch Poster

Forcing ourselves to try new drinks can be easier said than done, but one way of keeping to it is by scratching them off. So, if you’ve got a gin lover for secret santa, then this lovely A3 poster with 100 gins from around the world is a good way to start exploring. If you’re feeling generous, you could throw in a gin to get them started too.

Find here: £12.99

The Best Secret Santa Presents for Whisky Lovers

Christmas Whisky Tasting Set

Whisky has a reputation as a drink that takes some getting into, so if your secret santa has mentioned wanting to get into it, then a tasting set is the best way to start. This set contains five wax-sealed drams curated for festive sipping, including GlenAllachie 12YO, Teeling Small Batch and Four Roses Bourbon to experience a variety of whisky profiles.

Find here: £25

Glencairn Glass with Pipette

Glencairn Crystal is the go-to glass for whisky connoisseurs, and this beauty comes with a glass pipette to add controlled amounts of water to premium expressions. As any whisky lover will appreciate, water droplets can really change the liquid and evoke different notes, so this is a classy and useful present for them.

Find here: £17

The Best Secret Santa Present for Rum Lovers

Spiced Rum Gift Set

This is a really nicely put together rum set, featuring 50ml bottles of The Kraken, Dead Mans Fingers, Admirals Old J Cherry and Bacardi, offering spice across the spectrum. But that’s not all. Franklin & Sons premium mixers are included too, giving the rum drinker everything they need for their perfect Crimbo tipple.

Find here: £24.99

The Best Secret Santa Present for Wine Lovers

Wine Escape Room Game

Escape Rooms have been massive for a few years now, and this one brings the challenge into the home. Sadly, the wine is behind bars, and it can’t be opened until four stages of puzzles are completed and the combination padlock is opened. Oh, and before someone gets the hammer to attempt a desperate jail break, the solution is included in the pack. You’ll have to get your own wine, so you can actually get anything that fits the metal cage.

Find here: £24.99

Montidori Sangiovese

At the end of the day, the best thing you can get a wine lover for secret santa is… wine. We’ve picked out this bottle for its extraordinary value. Some of the grapes have been dried, so it comes through with mouthwatering richness and bold flavours, with so much soft spice intensity. If your secret santa is capped at a tenner, then this will really seem like you’ve gone over budget.

Find here: £8.99 (usually more!)

Fun Alcohol Related Secret Santa Presents

Prisoner Drinking Game

In this game, if you do the crime, you do the time. The dice is rolled, and the lowest number is placed in actual handcuffs. The ‘criminal’ then has to navigate their way through various challenges as the ‘jury’ guesses whether they will be able to do it or not. Keep guessing wrong, and it will be a long and very drunk night indeed.

Find here: £19.99

Top Spoons

If you’ve got someone that loves the pub for secret santa this year, then this pub crawl card game will be right up their street. This pub crawl takes the player through the best and worst Wetherspoons boozers, as they attempt to outscore their opponents to own every establishment going.

Find here: £9.99

The Ladybird Book of the Hangover

Perfect timing for Christmas, this is one of the funniest Ladybird books with perfect, old illustrations pairing up with perfectly observed hangover ‘guidance’. ‘Look out of the window. Can you recognise simple shapes or colours? Is there a moon or a sun in the sky? What sort of a name might you have? Where might there be bacon?'’ It’s not a scientific book by any means, but it is a comfort.

Find here: £7.99

Upside Down Wine Glass

This boozy illusion will cause a few double-takes, that’s for sure. It holds half a bottle of wine, and you drink from the bottom instead, through the hollow stem. Simple but effective.

Find here: £12.99

Festive Boozeballs

How about making the Christmas tree a bar? These baubles can be filled with anything and are absolutely perfect for a more decadent ‘interactive’ tree, as well as drinking games. Just make sure they’re hung on the higher branches if there’s kids or pets around!

Find here: £13.99

We have tonnes of drinks guides on our website, so if you want to pick up a bottle of something, whether that’s a reliable classic or an unusual eyebrow raiser, have a browse. How about gifting someone ‘Irish Moonshine’ AKA Poitín? Or perhaps a Sloe Gin if they’ve only tried regular gin before?