A Spirited Holiday

Trying to drum up some holiday spirit? I’d recommend starting with…spirits. Horrible puns aside, below are some bottles that I find myself reaching for time and time again around the holiday season. As a quick note I want to mention that below, you will find bottles I am recommending directly to you, fellow whiskey enjoyer. Further down this guide you will find recommendations for gift-giving, and in there I will recommend that generous people looking to give gifts this season do not buy bottles of whiskey for whiskey fans. Please don’t misunderstand me, giving the gift of whiskey is a viable idea, but the recommendations in this segment are for whiskey buyers looking for a fun bottle to buy and share with friends and family this holiday season.

Bourbon

• George Dickel Single Barrels: Don’t sleep on high-aged George Dickel this year. Members of The Daily Pour Single Barrel Club are already going to be acquainted with these unsung heroes of the whiskey world. While not labeled as bourbon, these check all of the boxes to classify as such, and I don’t believe there is much in the way of competition for 15+ year single barrels for the money. This is must try whiskey. I’ve linked directly to SharedPour where my great friend T8ke has a few single barrels available.
• Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon: While the cat is well and truly out of the bag on this, I can’t go through a holiday season without mentioning it. Be it a store pick or the standard single barrel expression, this 110 proof NCF (that’s non-chill filtered) bourbon from the Wild Turkey Distillery is something I seriously never run out of. I habitually buy these, and if I had the analytics to review, I’d be willing to bet this is the most commonly poured whiskey on my bar. I’ll say that prices have been rising on these, so don’t break the bank for a store pick if the standard Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel is available for a better price.
• Evan Williams Bottled in Bond: Quality whiskey doesn’t need to cost a fortune. In fact, one of the questions I receive the most is “what’s the best inexpensive bottle?”. Here’s your answer, folks. While the designation of Bottled-in-Bond doesn’t hold quite the glamour it once did (simply due to the amount of food safety laws and overall quality of ingredients these days) this is a bottle that shouldn’t be overlooked. While I have plenty of big ticket items in this year’s list, there’s something to be said for a bottle you can find almost anywhere, and for a rock bottom price. Looking for a low budget bourbon that you can put through it’s paces? Problem solved.
• The Reveries: This is enthusiast whiskey through and through. Blends and single barrels, cask strength, age-statements…you name it. A new brand this year, and one worth your time if you’re the type of whiskey fan who has tried almost everything and you’re ready for something new and exciting, but familiar at the same time.

Rye

• Sagamore Spirit Rye: Sagamore has really carved out space in the whiskey world (and on my shelves). Great looking bottles, even some Baltimore Ravens limited edition bottles for the NFL fans out there. From their single barrels, to double oaked, they really hit the mark. If you’re shopping for rye it would be a seriously mistake to pass Sagamore by.
• Michter’s US1 Kentucky Straight Rye: My previous Whiskey of the Year posts can attest to the quality of Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye, and while I truly love that bottle, I’m going to answer a question I’ve heard a bunch this year, and recommend the US1 Kentucky Straight Rye to round out your bar this holiday season.
• Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye: Former Whiskey of the Year for me, and somewhat new release from the Wild Turkey Distillery, this rye really does it all. From neat sipping to an outstanding Manhattan, this should be on your bar.
• WhistlePig 10 Year: I recommend this all the time, but I realize the higher price keeps some folks from being buyers. If you haven’t yet had WhistlePig 10 Year rye, now is the time. A great pour of spicy rye that checks the box for bold flavor to get you through the chilly months. Bonus points for finding a single barrel selection of this, they are a top bottle of mine year in and year out.
• Raconteur Rye: Created by author and blogger David Jennings, AKA Rare Bird 101, these expressions of rye showcase a host of age statements, finishes, and blending to make rye that will appeal to fans of bold spicy rye whiskey as well as bourbon drinkers. If you’re looking for something you’ve never had before, this is a great bottle to check out.
• Middlewest Spirits Dark Pumpernickel Rye: This was a big surprise to me, and scratched an itch I didn’t realize I even had.  It’s America’s first Dark Pumpernickel Straight Rye Whiskey. This signature spirit is distilled from dark pumpernickel rye, non-GMO open-pollinated yellow corn, soft red winter wheat, and 2-row barley to create a unique four grain rye.  An absolute beauty of a bottle and it rounds out rye whiskey in ways I’ve never before experienced.  

Finished Whiskey

• Penelope Bourbon: Here’s the deal: I’m not going to offer up a single finished whiskey from Penelope because there are so many one-off finishes and private selects that are finished and they are all great. Instead I’m going to nudge you to just grab one you’ve never had before and try it. The great folks at Penelope are working with an incredible portfolio of MGP whiskey, and there is going to be something in their lineup for every type of whiskey fan. If you’ve never had anything of theirs, perhaps grab a bottle of their straight bourbon as well, but Penelope’s Valencia (Vino de Naranja finished bourbon) is a favorite of mine and the Black Walnut Old Fashioned might just be one of the best premade cocktails on the shelf.
• Jos. A Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon: Readers of last year’s guide will remember this. Same bottle, same recommendation. I know it’s a little cheesy to recommend the same bottle, but I stand by this as being a great bottle for the holidays. The depth, complexity, and mouthfeel are truly among my favorite and the glass really makes this one stand out on the shelf. Finished in Armagnac, Sherry, and Cognac casks, this is truly artfully-blended bourbon. If you’ve got one and have been waiting for the right occasion, now is the time. If you haven’t got one…now is the time.
• Bib & Tucker Gold Roast: This is something I’d love to see more brands dive into. Bib & Tucker dropped a collab with Muletown Coffee Roasters that hits with a one-two punch in a gift set that showcases Muletown’s Gold Roast coffee, as well as Bib & Tucker Gold Roast bourbon (finished with coffee beans). In previous years you’ve seen me recommend Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon as one of my favorite pairings with a steaming hot coffee. This year they’ve made it easier to pair things up. Check out the Gold Roast Provisions Parcel for the coffee and whiskey fan in your life…or for yourself. You deserve it!
• Barrell Dovetail: One of my oldest reviews, and one I still stand by. I almost can’t drink Dovetail outside of the holidays…almost. It’s Christmas in a glass, and I love it for that. The maple, fruits, and rum notes are quintessential Christmas for me. When it comes to unique whiskey that is finished in ways you hadn’t considered, Barrell Craft Spirits is at the top of the list every year.

American Whiskey / Malt / Single Malt

• Rare Character Exceptional Series Kentucky Malt Whiskey: This is a recommendation of a bottle I have gone through more than one of. While I would normally have reservations about posting a single barrel option that is likely to sell out before everyone is able to see this, I can’t say enough about this bottle. This scratches every itch for fans of American Single Malt. Layered flavors, rich malty notes, nutty, with great oak backbone tying it together. This bottle sings, and would pair well with a slice of mince pie (or even pecan pie) alongside the fire.

Rum

• Real McCoy 12 Year: I’ve heard from countless bourbon fans that they just don’t like rum. Let Real McCoy change your mind. Coming from the Foursquare Distillery in Barbados, this rum checks all the boxes for me: proof point, utility for neat sipping or cocktails, brings holiday feels, it really just does it all. This is pretty widely available for a price that I find more than fair, but you can also order directly from Real McCoy if that suits you. This is bourbon drinkers rum, folks. Get on it.

Brandy

• Giboin (2002) Single Cask Fins Bois Cognac: Here I am again with recommending a single cask offering that has a finite quantity available, but I’ve been recommending this one quietly to friends for a year and it’s still on the shelf. At this point I’m calling all units to come in and experience this truly awesome Cognac before it’s gone. This beauty of a bottle is exactly who you want to tuck you in on a cold winter’s night. Bourbon fans will find familiar tasting notes with the rich oak and dark fruits of Cognac and Armagnac, but the depth you’re getting in this bottle is–so far as I’m concerned–unparalleled at this price point.

Gin

Vim & Petal Dry Gin: Middlewest Spirits is sneakily creeping into your liquor store with a plethora of offerings you didn’t quite know you needed, and they’re doing it at absolutely amazing prices.  Their Vim & Petal Dry Gin hits all of the right notes with juniper and spice, but the elderflower background of this really lends itself to an outstanding French 75 or even a neat pour.

Liqueurs, One-off Gifts, & Specialties

• I have to begin this section with a nod to Chattanooga Whiskey and the experimental batches they are rolling out. From bourbon barrel aged limoncello, to their Batch Alpha “Intergalactic Comet Crusher”, they are pushing the envelope with every release, and from the products I’ve been able to try I have to say they punch well above their weight class (and the prices are truly awesome).
• I feel like it almost wouldn’t be the holidays without some great rye whiskey, and for that I absolutely must mention WhistlePig Whiskey. From their Hogidays Advent Calendar to the Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup, there are some killer gifts available from the Shoreham, VT distillery. Hell, even the glassware is pretty elite, if you’re looking for a next-level whiskey glass be sure to check out their collab with Simon Pearce for the Shoreham Whiskey glass. While admittedly spendy, these are serious glasses that will bring a smile to anyone hoisting one.
• Norman Love Confections may have deciphered the Davinci code of chocolates. I’ve always found that chocolate treats can look amazing, or taste great…not both. Norman Love Confections somehow do both, and I feel like it’s sorcery of some sort. These are hands-down the best looking chocolates I’ve tried, and they still somehow taste great. The real fruit and spices they are using push these confections into a tier I didn’t know existed. Pair with whiskey, coffee, hot cocoa, or basically anything you like.

Cocktails, Recipes, and More

Time to get into the nitty gritty here. As I mentioned above, buying whiskey for someone who has more whiskey than they could reasonably drink is a real challenge, with a low success rate. Below you’ll find suggestions on ways to mix things up and present your whiskey lover with something fun and unique for this holiday season.

Holiday Season “Do’s and Dont’s” for 2025

Don’t be a Grinch. There is a right way and a wrong way to approach gifting, and clicking the first social media post in your timeline just because it has the word bourbon in it falls into the wrong way category. Lucky for you, dear reader, I’ve seen (and perhaps made) most of these mistakes already. Benefit from my experiences through the years, and try un-Grinching the 2025 season with these suggestions.

• DO: Find culinary gifts. Candy (chocolate in particular) can pair well with the whiskey already on your loved one’s shelf. I recommended Norman Love Confections already, but don’t be afraid to grab some pastries from a local bakery, or visit a local gift shop for a fun and unique gift your whiskey drinker wouldn’t pick up for themself.
• DONT: This will likely be the first “don’t” in every gift guide I write, and for the producers out there–whoever you are–making whiskey stones, I apologize…but not really. These don’t make great gifts. Whiskey stones are better used for paper weights, and in this digital era, I don’t see much demand for that either. Just don’t.
• DO: Visit a local distillery. Try their offerings, and be polite, but if the whiskey isn’t great…buy a crafty liqueur, or my personal favorite: the gin! Most small distilleries need to age their whiskey for quite a long time before it’s truly ready for the discerning whiskey fan, and gin is their ticket to crafting a unique and tasty spirit to bring in cash while the whiskey rests in barrels. Gin makes a great gift, and it’s criminally underappreciated by whiskey lovers. Supporting your local distillery this way is outstanding.
• DONT: This goes hand-in-glove with the previous “do” recommendation, but don’t buy local whiskey just because it’s local. I’ve said this before, but I have a feeling you need to see it again. Buying local can be great, but when it comes to whiskey, let the whiskey geek in your life decide on their bottle purchases. Don’t buy whiskey for a whiskey lover. This is hard advice to give, but we’re going to have to chalk it up to tough love on this one, folks.

Curing the Holiday Hangover

A tale as old as time. One too many glasses of wine (or whiskey) at Christmas dinner has us feeling a little foggy the next morning. Don’t go unarmed onto the battlefield of wrapping paper and bows. It’s dangerous out there…take this:

• Kavka Coffee: I wish I had a meet-cute story about walking into a local coffee shop on a bone-chilling Maine day to be warmed by a delicious cup of this coffee, but in all honesty I stumbled across @kavkacoffee.co on social media, tried their coffee and was truly impressed. Being the flavor nerd I am, I had to try a few different roasts to nail down a favorite. While the margin is pretty tight, the Organic Medium Roast wins as my overall pick. That said, they’re all top notch coffee, and something about recommending a company that’s effectively just down the road from me feels great. Warm up with Kavka this holiday season.
• Spice up that coffee: It seems that every year there’s a new contender in the cream liqueur space and, as a whiskey drinker, I have to try all of the bourbon cream options I can get my hands on. This year’s recommendation for a companion in your mug is a bit off the beaten path. Check out Two Stacks Double Irish Cream Liqueur for the absolute best I’ve tried. That’s no joke. This super rich, lightly chocolatey Irish whiskey cream liqueur is so good I’ll even have a sip with fresh nutmeg microplaned on top. Stave off the early morning vibes with some holiday cheer for 2025.

It’s Cookie Season

Sometimes it hits you all at once. That feeling that the season is upon us. Which, for me, tends to conjure thoughts of the Dropkick Murphys classic naughty Christmas song seen below. The recipe my wife has been crushing this year is an adaptation of a recipe from the book Cookies The New Classics by Jesse Szewczyk, and is the perfect pairing for the holidays because while you’re making these cookies you are going to fill the house with the scents and feelings of the season. I’m not going to dive into the actual recipe because it’s somewhat involved, and I couldn’t in good faith tell you that I do any baking myself. That said, I highly recommend the book. Oh, and one final note: maybe don’t play the song around the kids–or do–whatever’s funnier.

Thank you for following along throughout the year.  I appreciate every single friend who joins my Discord, every follow on social media, comment, and reader of the website.  This space was originally developed to provide an outlet for my thoughts on the whiskey world, but has turned into a great community of friends and I can’t thank you enough for that.  Looking forward to 2026 and all of the best spirits.  Cheers!

Quick note: in the event I end up trying something new that really captivates me, or seeing a sale you should really know about, I will update this guide for you.  I really appreciate you taking the time to read through this guide and especially thank those of you willing to share it.