Now that we are through the best holiday of the year, we can turn our attention to other important things: debating on which 12 teams will make the college football playoff, what tropical island to book passage to once February rolls around, how we can not gain an additional ten pounds before New Year, and last but not least, what presents to get our loved ones before the big day. Or ask Santa to deliver, if you are so inclined.
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for someone and you probably already know what they are by now. Taste. Personal style. Size and shape. These are the obvious things. You’re not about to buy an 80” television for someone who has to lug it back home halfway across the country, now are you? However, these concerns are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the whiskey lover in your life as now you’ll need to worry about an entirely new set of concerns. You have to consider their preferences. What they already might have in their collection. Price points. Flavor profiles. It can be daunting. (I am speaking from experience here.)
With that in mind, we here at Chasing Neat wanted to do our part and provide a little guidance to help you out. Picking out the perfect holiday gift is more of an art than a science, so your mileage may vary with some of the options below, but in our opinion, it is hard to go wrong with any of these options.
Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar
An extravagant gift to start things off, but one that bears going first if for no other reason that if you want to give this to someone you’d best do it ASAP, as the Advent calendar includes 24 days worth of whiskey to count down until the big day. Though I suppose if you were feeling adventurous you could always make it a 12 day calendar and double things up.
(I think just about every whiskey/bourbon blog includes an advent calendar of some kind and for my money, this is the most impressive looking.)
Bourbon No.22 toothpicks from Daneson
Toothpicks, really? Yes, really. One they won’t bust the bank – unless you’re picking out some of the larger quantities Daneson offers – and two, they are something that is genuinely useful. Good oral hygiene is no joke, and if you can get that pesky bit of chicken out of your mouth with a side order of oak and caramel, all the better.
Pappy & Company Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
Who said bourbon wasn’t for breakfast? Ok, fine, it’s non-alcoholic, but still! Aged for six months in barrels that formerly held Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old Bourbon, this syrup is a little pricey for what it is, but it’s an indulgence, that the recipient will be thanking you for for months to come. I can personally vouch that it tastes great on French toast. And two certain people seemed to enjoy it as well. 😉
Here is a good one-two punch for you: why not pair your bourbon-infused maple syrup with some bourbon-infused coffee to start your day? Just like the previous entry this product contains no alcohol but most definitely does contain caffeine.
Who doesn’t enjoy the satisfaction that comes with scratching off something from a list? This poster contains 50 bourbons for you to hunt down and enjoy, and you’ll still be able to show off your accomplishment long after the bottle is empty. For extra measure, this item is Chasing Neat approved as well.
TINANA Crystal Clear Ice Ball Maker
While it may be sacrilegious to say on a website that has neat in its name, a good ice cube is absolutely essential for enjoying your bourbon. This one is easy to use, and more importantly, easy to clean. If you’re feeling adventurous, they have a few other options such as a diamond and a skull if the classic sphere isn’t your taste.
Book an Experience
For the less materialistic inclined among you, a trip to a distillery would not go amiss. Plus it allows your recipient to look forward to something in the new year. If you know their favorite distillery, then obviously that is the place to start, but if you want a unique view of things and want to help out one of the new kids on the block, my pick is The Whole Shebang! By Pursuit Spirits. Again, Chasing Neat approved!
Bottles
If all else fails, get them a bottle of their favorite bourbon. Some might say this is a cop-out, but I see it as simply getting them something they will 100% enjoy. I’ve yet to meet a bourbon fan who was upset to find a bottle under the tree.
This is obviously just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to options, and we left off many of the traditional picks for a list like this simply because, well, after a while all these lists start to look the same, don’t they? Just google “Christmas ideas for bourbon lover,” and you’ll find a few hundred lists, no doubt many with the same ideas we just listed above. Throw in some whiskey rocks, some Glencairn glasses, something crafted from old barrels, maybe some bourbon-infused jams, chocolates, and spices, and you’ll have most lists down pat.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and remember it is the thought that counts!
Michael
Great list of gift suggesting Mitchell, well done! Keep up the good work!