As Christmas creeps ever closer, it’s time to stock up the drinks cabinet, ready for those festive tipples for family and friends. Whether you’re a fan of neat spirits, a good cocktail, or something a little longer, this Christmas spirits guide will give you a little inspiration.
Codigo 1530 Rosa Tequila
£41
Codigo 1530 has been producing Tequila since 2017 in Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico. Made using fully-matured agave to ensure the right level of sweetness, no sugars or sweeteners are added during the production process.
Codigo 1530 Rosa Tequila is rested and then aged for a month in Napa Valley Cabernet French oak wine barrels to infuse the spirit with flavour and just a hint of pale pink colour. Along with the blush, the barrel ageing adds a hit of fruit flavour to the spirit. All of the usual authentic agave notes are there, but they are joined by the earthy tones from the oak and bright red fruits and dried cranberries join the delicate mix perfectly.
The delicious mix of flavours works well over ice, with a mixer for a longer pour, or adds a different dimension to a Tequila cocktail.
Hacien Añejo Cristalino
£70
Hacien Tequila is made using 100% blue agave, which has been hand cut, roasted and pressed in Jalisco, Mexico, before being distilled using methods perfected in Mexico over generations.
Hacien Añejo Cristalino is barrel aged, before being charcoal filtered to remove any traces of colour – Cristalino refers to its crystal clear appearance — but leaving behind all of the flavour gained from the barrel ageing.
The first hit you’ll get from Hacien Añejo Cristalino is a honeyed vanilla aroma, which, once on the palate, opens out with richer toffee notes, with earthy, forest hints and a touch of peppery spice in the background. Mingled with warmth and richness, it makes a great tipple neat over ice, or a great base for a classic cocktail.
Hacien Pineapple Tequila Blanco
£36
A big part of the line-up at Hacien is flavoured Tequilas, with its signature Tequila Blanco having been infused with big flavours to create something just a little different.
Pineapple Tequila Blanco is one not to be missed if you’re a lover of summer vibes, especially on those chilly winter evenings. The heady notes of sweet pineapple with a hint of lemon to bring just a little acidity are the first that strike you. The sweetness threatens to be just a bit too much until the earthy agave hits the palate, bringing everything back into balance.
The tropical notes are the perfect antidote to the cold winter weather, making for a lovely tall drink with a mixer, but an even better fruit-based cocktail.
Cotswolds No.1 Wildflower Gin
£32
For fans of flavoured gin, Cotswolds No.1 Wildflower Gin will undoubtedly hit the right spot. From its base of Cotswolds London dry gin, this floral, fruity blend combines a summer meadow melody of cornflowers, lavender and citrus.
Inspired by the beautiful grasslands around the distillery, Cotswolds No.1 Wildflower Gin encapsulates a bright summer’s day in its flavours. It makes a wonderful Gin Spritz — mix it with your favourite tonic, top up with ice and enjoy.
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald dry gin
£40
The German gin brand Monkey 47 has been distilling its range of gins since 2010, using 47 different botanicals from the Black Forest region — a fact which, in part, inspired the name.
The story of Schwarzwald dry gin is an interesting one. It dates back to the 1950s, and a British RAF commander named Montgomery Collins. Collins, or so the story goes, made his own gin in the Black Forest during the 1950s and named it after his pet monkey from Berlin Zoo. His handwritten recipe was rediscovered many decades later, and in 2008, Monkey 47’s founder, Alexander Stein, set about recreating the gin, to widespread acclaim.
Schwarzwald dry gin is a complex, multi-layered gin, which is a testament to the beautifully balanced botanicals. The first aromas bring that familiar hit of juniper and citrus that you’d expect from a dry gin. These give way to a more fruity note, which opens out on the palate with a delightful richness. The citrus and floral notes mingle with gentle forest pine and herbal flavours develop. A little warming spice rounds out the gin, taking you to a long, herbal finish.
Tomatin 14 Year Old Tawny Port
£56
Tomatin has been producing single malt whisky in the Highlands of Scotland since 1897, although it is widely thought to have been made within the Tomatin community since around the 15th century. With plenty of experience under its belt, Tomatin has created some innovative blends, and this 14-Year-Old is no exception.
Finished in a combination of ex-bourbon and port casks, this amber-coloured spirit is bold and beautiful. The nose is packed with red berries and juicy raisins, which blend well with the vanilla sweetness that comes alongside.
Once on the palate, the berries give way to hints of walnut and pecan with a little warming malt as the flavour progresses. This sweet, rich, fruity whisky is perfect for Christmas, with a nod to a well-baked Christmas cake within its flavour profile.
Tomatin 14 Year Old Tawny Port is an excellent choice for an after-dinner dram on Christmas Day, or a thoughtful, easy-to-drink Christmas gift for any whisky lover.
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old
£35
If you’re looking for a whisky that’s accessible for those just beginning their whisky journey, this 12-Year-Old from Old Pulteney is a great choice. Aged in ex-bourbon casks, the spirit is enlivened by the honey and vanilla sweetness of the bourbon, which balances well with the citrus notes, peppery spices and coastal salinity. The finish brings slightly salted caramel notes, which is the perfect end to a great sip.
Excellent over ice or with a touch of water, but don’t be too shy to blend it into a cocktail, either.
Maker’s Mark
£28
Produced since 1953, this Kentucky straight bourbon whisky is still made to the original recipe of founder Bill Samuels Sr. Its iconic bottle, hand-dipped in red wax, can be found decked out with a limited-edition label for the festive season.
Maker’s Mark is made using wheat rather than rye, which creates a softer, less spicy flavour profile. On the nose, there’s some vanilla sweetness, with caramel and warm spices coming through. On the palate, the sweetness is still evident, but balanced well by the buttery notes within the caramel. There’s a little fruity hint alongside the toasted notes, which flow smoothly to the nutty, butterscotch finish with its gentle spices.
A versatile spirit that is easy to drink on the rocks, but even better when mixed into an Old Fashioned cocktail.
Project #173 from Atom Labs
Project #173 has created an innovative range of rums, all based on the same base spirit. Each expression within the range is a testament to the flavour experimentation of Atom Labs, as it mixes some unlikely, but strangely lovable combinations that are not only an excellent and interesting addition to your cocktail cabinet or a dinner party, but also make an unusual Christmas gift for the rum lover in your life.
Project #173 Bakewell Tart Rum
£21
Project #173 rums are made using a base of Caribbean rum, which is always a strong starting point. From there, it has been loaded with the classic bakewell tart flavours of almond, sweet cherry jam and buttery pastry. There’s really very little that can go wrong here, other than perhaps it being too sweet, but, thankfully, the flavour gurus manage that masterfully.
Think warm toasted almonds, sweet frangipane and buttery baked goods, and you’re most of the way to this deliciously flavoured rum. It’s syrupy, indulgent and has a fabulous little cinnamon and spices kick at the finish.
Project #173 Dubai Chocolate Rum
£21
Dubai chocolate seems to have taken the world by storm this year, so it seems only fitting that the flavour folks at Atom Labs got in on the act, too.
Infused with the flavours of rich chocolate and nutty pistachio cream, this offering from Project #173 is much more of an acquired taste and will make a perfect talking point as a dessert pour this Christmas.
It is a bold, fun, indulgent flavour that makes for an interesting option over ice. For something a little different, use it in classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or drop it into an Espresso Martini, but for the ultimate winter treat, a good glug into a steaming, rich cup of hot chocolate will most definitely raise your Christmas spirits.
Dutch Barn Raspberry Vodka
£25
For fans of flavoured vodka, this raspberry-flavoured offering from British vodka distillers Dutch Barn will be a firm favourite.
Made using apples and passed through 70 distillation plates, Dutch Barn vodka is extremely smooth and full of flavour. The raspberry flavour is infused into the spirit from fresh raspberries, which give a sweet, floral flavour without any artificial aftertaste.
The clean, bright spirit makes an excellent long drink when added to a mixer, adds a lift to a cocktail, or can be sipped neat over ice. A great all-rounder that adds a touch of sunshine to your drink.
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