Elevating the wine and spirits collection of your beloved family member or friend can feel like a daunting task, especially if they are a true connoisseur. To help narrow your selection, we’ve rounded up the best bottles to gift at the holidays. And as you continue your holiday shopping, be sure to check out the rest of our holiday gift guides for the foodies, fashionistas, tech titans and more.
See also: The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
This new release from Frank Family Vineyards honors founder Richard Harvey Frank, who first set eyes on Napa Valley in the 1980s when he needed an escape from the demand of being Disney Studios president. As part of the reserve collection, the RHF cabernet is among Frank Family Vineyards small-batch, single-vineyard wines. $110
Tipping its hat to its seafood delicacy namesake, the Stolpman Uni White promises decadent richness and delicate precision. The roussanne-chardonnay blend features notes of golden pineapple, white flowers, Asian pear and tangerine. $30
The holidays are the perfect time to go big, so opt for a 1.5 L bottle. A hypnotic, soft shade of pink, the Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé Magnum has hints of vanilla and caramel and flavors of fresh strawberries, cherries and redcurrants. $174.99
The newest member of The Dalmore Principal Collection marks the first expression to be finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Spain, which adds a layer of sweetness to The Dalmore’s house style. Imbibers will take in notes of citrus, liquorice, caramel, figs, dates and maple syrup. $56.99+ (up to 99.99)
Madre, a Los Angeles line of Oaxacan restaurants, boasts the country’s largest selection of mezcal. It makes sense given Madre describes itself as running on the power of mole and mezcal, and owner Ivan Vasquez has been kind enough to let us in on the best of the spirit just in time for the holidays. He explains his choice:“La Locura works with two distinct sub-varietals of tobala in Minas, Oaxaca: tobala orejon, which prefers to grow in the shade trees, and tobala chino, a rarer, small plant that prefers direct sunlight. La Locura Tobala Chino is prized for its exceptional flavor. This batch was only 200 liters and it was very hard to find it. ‘Lalo’ Eduardo is one of the best mezcaleros in Mexico and his legacy is incomparable. He might not produce this expression ever again, unless he feels like there are enough tobala chinos available for harvest. This mezcal is for aficionados that want to experience a nice comparison between a regular tobala orejon and tobala chino. This is a very, very special bottle to gift to a mezcal lover.” $139.99
Give the gift of vino expertise with Eataly’s Wine Club subscription. Whether you’re looking for rare collectibles or a well-rounded selection, the experts at Eataly Vino make sure connoisseurs of all levels receive the perfect bottle right at their door. Varies
Expand a whisky fan’s already impressive collection with the foundational pillars of Yamazaki. House of Suntory’s new selection honors Tsukuriwake, which means artisanship through a diversity of making. The limited edition lineup includes Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak and Mizunara. $25,000
The 1989 edition joined The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection in September, becoming a part of a collection of the world’s rarest single malt whiskies known to go undisturbed for decades in sherry-season oak casks. The 21-year-old whisky was bottled in 2010 and has notes of oak that lead into wild forest fruits and caramel. $17,300+
For a bold Tennessee whiskey, opt for Jack Daniel’s Bonded. Offering a dark, oak-forward character, it features notes of caramel, rick oak and spice. Varies
With a royal-seal of approval, Whispering Angel makes for an excellent choice when gifting rosé. Earlier this summer, it was the official rosé wine for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign. With a dry and smooth finish, Whispering Angel has floral notes and fresh red berry fruit characteristics. Varies
Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs x East Olivia Gift Set
A bottle of champagne makes for a special event, but a bottle of champagne plus flowers elevates gift giving to meet the high sentimentality of the holidays. Opt for elegance with this gift set, which includes a bottle from storied champagne house Perrier-Jouët and dried flowers by East Olivia, a female-founded, NYC-based creative agency. $200
Siembra Valles Ancestral Tequila
Vasquez’s knowledge runs deep, so he also recommended to Modern Luxury a tequila fit for the most sophisticated of imbibers. He says, “This extremely special production is made with the most ancient, painstaking methods common to early distillers and is more akin to traditional mezcal than present-day tequila. I recommend this bottle for people who want to taste how tequila back in the day was supposed to taste.” $125.99
Frey Ranch Distillery Bourbon
Five generations of agriculture tradition are embedded in Frey Ranch Distillery bottles. With this Nevada-grown spirit, delight in sustainably-grown, award-winning whiskey bourbon with oak and citrus aromas and vanilla, caramel, banana chips and dried hay on the palate. $50
Photography by: Photo by Tubay Yabut; Courtesy Stoplman Vineyards; G.H. Mumm; The Dalmore; La Locura; Eataly; Beam Suntory; The Macallan; Jack Daniel's; Whispering Angel; Perrier-Joët; Siembra Valles Ancestral; Frey Ranch Distillery
