The holidays are as much about fun as they are about relaxation, family and (for some), celebrating the birth of Christ. During this time, people party and socialise a lot and most indulge in alcoholic beverages. We have compiled a list of some alcoholic beverages to consider as gifting options for friends, family and other loved ones.
Christmas gift guide: Boozy gifts under R500
Woodford Reserve straight bourbon whiskey – Between R399 and R425 depending on the retailer
The Woodford Reserve distillers select straight bourbon whiskey is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that is comprised of more than 200 detectable flavour notes.
The whiskey boasts a clean, brilliant honey amber colour as well as a perfectly balanced taste derived from bold grain and wood, to sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit & floral notes.
The nose of the Woodford Reserve distillers select straight bourbon whiskey is heavy with rich dried fruit, hints of mint and oranges covered with a dusting of cocoa. You can also pick up faint vanilla and tobacco spice.
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It has a rich, chewy, rounded and smooth taste with complex citrus, cinnamon and cocoa. There are also coffee, caramel, chocolate and spice notes abound.
All of this comes together to create a silky smooth, almost creamy at first finish with a long, warm satisfying tail.
Peaky Blinder – around R285
Peaky Blinder – the Irish Whiskey, not the show – is a bold but exceptionally smooth, triple-distilled, small batch blended whisky.
It has aromas of blackcurrant and apple.
With a toffee undertone and melted chocolate, apricots and dried peel on the palate, it finishes with subtle hints of cinnamon sticks.
Spier Good Natured Organic Shiraz Cabernet Savignon 2021 – about R105
This red wine is a 57% Shiraz, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon blend by Spier from their Good Natured Range. The wines were launched for public consumption earlier this year and the range also features Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Shiraz variants.
According to Spier, each of the four wines – two whites and two reds – is made with fruit grown in organic vineyards free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers.
“Instead, nature is invited back into the vineyard to encourage a diverse ecosystem of plants, insects, and microorganisms to thrive. In the winter, oat, mustard and clover seeds are planted for cover crops to germinate and add nutrition to the soil. Bees, bugs and birds act as welcome pest control and by the time harvest rolls around, the team handpick vines and returns as much back to the earth for composting or recycling.”
The wine is vegan and makes a great gift for the environmentally-conscious wine-lover in your life.
This specific variant goes well with hamburgers, barbecued chicken, roast vegetables and aged hard cheeses like Gouda.
Whitley Neill London Dry Gin – between R215 and R299
Whitley Neill Gin is said to be “inspired by the world [but] distilled in London”.
The award-winning distiller behind this gin has been making small-batch gins with a heritage dating back to 1762 and now, it is the UK’s number one premium-selling gin.
The Whitley Neill London Dry Gin is a classic dry gin but not as you know it. According to the distiller, it is softer and much smoother than traditional Gins, with rich juniper notes, citrus and exotic botanicals Baobab fruit and Cape gooseberry.
The flavoured variants in the range have nine distinctive botanicals and make the perfect gift for the distinguished cocktail lover in your life.
Samuel Gelstons Irish Whiskey – about R289
Gelston’s Old Irish Whiskey was founded in 1830 by Samuel Gelston, a prosperous wine and whiskey merchant from Belfast. Upon Samuel’s death in late 1869 Henry James Neill (Harry) purchased the business and developed the scale of the business considerably both in Ireland and in overseas markets.
To date, the Samuel Gelston’s brand is still in the hands of the Neill family and is yet again developing a worldwide following.
At the time of writing, the brand had seven whiskey variations available as well as one cream liquor under its stable.
Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey is made from a blend of locally sourced Irish malted barley and grain that is triple distilled for smoothness and then matured in the finest quality ex-bourbon oak casks.
“This combination of triple distillation plus the finest ingredients and cask ageing creates an elegantly smooth yet expressive whiskey with rich flavours that can be savoured neat, over ice or mixed into a long refreshing serve,” explained the distiller.
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