Christmas Gift Guide Week pt. I: Drinks

With Christmas fast approaching, this week sees Tempus compile the best gifts to grab for a family member, a friend – or even yourself. From Monday to Friday, we will be looking at the best luxury gift items available in categories ranging from indulgent food and drink to stunning design pieces for your house. In this first instalment, we cover the wide world of drinks, and round up some of the best – and rarest – luxury items for that tipple-lover in your life.

Celebrating a special occasion with a glass of superb wine or a dram of your rarest whisky is a tradition as old as time, and there are few better excuses to purchase such an ultra-indulgent drink for a loved one than Christmas – who knows, they might end up sharing it with you! 

Here, Tempus has collaborated with some of the most luxurious brands in the drinks business to bring you the rarest, most unique and most sought-after drinks gifts for Christmas 2021.

Glenfiddich X Mr Porter

Glenfiddich, the world’s most heavily awarded single malt Scotch whisky, has teamed up with men's style brand Mr Porter, to create a unique new expression of whisky through a highly creative lens and limited to only 1,500 bottles worldwide.
 
Glenfiddich Presented by Mr Porter is aged in casks of New American oak, ex bourbon and European oak sherry casks to create a deep, silky smooth single malt. This limited and collectable whisky also features bespoke casing designed by Palmer and Kinsman, which will see the bottle presented in a crisp white, embossed casing, lined with a subtly designed, minimalistic monogram featuring the two iconic brand emblems.

The product will be available only to consumers based in the United Kingdom, United States, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.

Hine Antique XO

Hine Antique XO is a brandy beyond ordinary XO standards. Created in 1920, Antique is comprised of 40 eaux-de-vie and has an average of 22 years of aging in French oak casks. It is the digestive par excellence and describes itself as "the Cognac of quality moments".

Antique XO is full of elegant, fruity, intense and complex flavours so common in the distiller's house style. Captivating and rich, it has been praised by many connoisseurs – amongst them Winston Churchill – and is perfect drunk neat or sipped slowly alongside a cigar, cheese or dark chocolate. 

Ready-to-drink cocktails from Heads + Tails

This month Heads + Tails, the London bar recognised in both the ‘UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars’ and ‘The World’s Top 500 Bars’, is launching a collection of nine ready-to-drink cocktails with UK wide delivery in time for Christmas. 

The bar will launch the collection of nine premium small batch cocktails across three categories in a large single serve for one (10cl) or a large bottle (50cl), and includes such classics as peach daiquiri, negroni and espresso martini, but also some unique twists including pineapple margarita, maple old fashioned and El Presidente.

Vanishing Point 05 by Innis & Gunn

The fifth beer to be released in Scottish brewery Innis & Gunn’s annual limited-edition Vanishing Point series is Vanishing Point 05, an 11% ABV imperial stout that packs a huge punch

One year in the making, the beer has a heady malt character that has been refined and mellowed through over 8,000 hours in cask. It is jet black in colour with abundant aromas of oak and coconut alongside hints of dried red fruit. The flavour is of luxurious dark chocolate, oak and vanilla with a warming character. Just 2,000 bottles of this indulgent beer will be made available.

Scotch Whisky Express Series by Cask 88

Whisky curator Cask 88 has released the final two bottles from its railway-inspired Scotch Whisky Express Series, in honour of the great railway routes that served Scotland in the Victorian era; connections which ignited rapid growth of the Scotch whisky industry.

First is the 10-Year-Old Single Malt distilled at Auchentoshan, a stonking 51.7% ABV triple-distilled, sweet and citrussy expression created to celebrate the Glasgow & South-Western Railway, limited to just 80 bottles available. The other is the 15-Year-Old Single Malt distilled at Deanston, a full-bodied, syrupy and fragrant expression celebrating the Caledonian Railway.

Destilado Con Mandarina/Cafe by Dangerous Don

Dangerous Don is a mezcal distillery that has been making waves with its unique takes on the Oaxacan spirit. While the brand offers classic Espadin mezcals, they also produce two flavoured expressions that make for a great Christmas gift. 

First is Destilado Con Mandarina, a citrusy, subtle mandarin-tinged mezcal which perfectly complements the spirit's signature smoky taste, while the other is Destialdo Con Café, the only Café Mezcal on the market, made with hand-grown, organic Naomquie coffee beans which has a signature chocolatey, rich aroma.

Dom Pérignon X Lady Gaga

Earlier this year, Dom Pérignon and Lady Gaga revealed new limited-edition vintages – Dom Pérignon Vintage 2010 and Rosé Vintage 2006 – as part of a collaboration that saw the iconic musician craft a limited edition sculpture to fit the famed Dom P bottle.

The Champagne house says that the two limited editions "embody the spirit of the collaboration, sparked by a shared belief in absolute creative freedom". The limited edition vintage is available from luxury retailers including Clos19.com.

20th anniversary 2018 vintages from Vérité

To celebrate its 20th birthday, Californian winemaker Vérité has released the 2018 vintages of its iconic wines; La Muse, La Joie and Le Désir. Vérité, located in Sonoma County, California, produces three reputable Bordeaux-inspired wines that represent a meticulously formed union of grape varieties, climate, soil expression and winemaking technique. Impeccably balanced and sumptuously textured in their youth, they have the weight and foundation to age for many years and are deemed to be outstanding investor wines. 

2018 La Muse radiates a deep ruby-violet colour, which gives rise to perfumed aromas of ripe red and black plum, new leather, violet blossom, and freshly turned clay, framed by sweet baking spices and subtle toast. 2018 La Joie displays a brilliant violet core with a thin rim of bright ruby. Generous fruit-forward aromas of ripe black currant and black cherry are followed by earthy notes of fresh conifer, dried mushroom, black olive, dusty clay, anise and clove. 2018 Le Désir has a dark inky appearance with a violet hue that extends to the rim. The compelling characteristics of Cabernet Franc are expressed on the nose and palate with flavours of crunchy cranberry, ripe raspberry, red currant, dried sage, crushed mint, and cinnamon bark; followed by spice cake, subtle vanilla liquor, and singed toast. 

Seignette VS Cognac

Seignette VS Cognac is perfect for adding some French charm to Christmas 2021, and a classic example of the genre, filled with rich fruit flavours and a warming tang.

The spirit’s fresh aesthetic and depth of flavour makes it the ideal base for indulgent cocktails, perfect for the festive season. Notes of dried apricot, vanilla and hints of honeysuckle begin on the nose, followed by oaky vanilla notes, a touch of citrus and a long, creamy finish on the palate.

Ruinart X David Shrigley Second Skin Limited Edition

Art lovers who are seeking both a sustainable and humorous gift will be able to purchase a limited-edition collaboration piece by Ruinart – the oldest Champagne house – and British Contemporary Artist David Shrigley. The pair have created two reinterpretations of the classic Ruinart label to feature on a limited edition of the new eco-designed second skin case of RuinartBlanc de Blancs and Ruinart Rosé. 

More than a gift and an ideal offering for art lovers this festive season, the limited-edition expressions have been designed as part of his carte blanche for Maison Ruinart and are available only in the UK.

Cask of Distinction Bottles from Justerini & Brooks

Luxury drinks retailer Justerini & Brooks has launched a collection of rare and unique whiskies known as Cask of Distinction Bottles, comprised of hard-to-find expressions with which to celebrate the festive season.

Particular highlights from the collection include an 18-year-old Lagavulin and a 25-year-old Blair Athol, both worth just over £1,000 each, and a stunning 50-year-old Glenury Royal worth over £7,000.

The Classic Christmas Day Wine Selection from Wickhams

Six bottles of sparkling, red and white wine with a wine are available to pair with each course of Christmas lunch or dinner with Wickhams’ Classic Christmas Day Case, making it easy to impress friends and family with your oenological prowess.

The case features wines from around the world including a Les Quarterons, Crémant de Loire Brut NV, a Sancerre `les Longues Fins` Dom. Andre Neveu and a stunning Château Bechereau, Lalande de Pomerol.

Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old

Taking inspiration from its rich whisky producing heritage, Glen Scotia derives from Scotland’s smallest whisky-producing region, Campbeltown, and offers a range of exquisite expressions that pay homage to its Victorian roots and coastal location, making it an ideal gift for someone who is fascinated by whisky history and truly exceptional single-malt whiskies off the beaten track.

Earlier this year, the Glen Scotia Distillery received the highly coveted San Francisco World Spirits Award for its Glen Scotia 25 Years Old which was crowned Best Whisky in the World 2021 – a remarkable accolade for this incredible expression.

Le Black Label Brut by Champagne Lanson

This authentic Le Black Label Brut comes from a unique savoir-faire based on a selection of the finest Crus of Champagne. Its light and fresh palate makes it the perfect gift for the Christmas season.

Founded in 1760, the Lanson Maison is one of the oldest operational Champagne houses, known for its blends of pinot noir and chardonnay.

Christmas Cocktails from NIO

NIO Cocktails has revolutionised the world of ready-to-drink cocktails, and now is offering a selection of six limited edition Christmas cocktails introducing festive flavours and aromas. Each drink is prepared in unique, stylish, holographic packaging with snowflakes and candy canes, creating eye-catching festive gifts or stocking fillers that look as incredible as they taste.

The Christmas Cocktails include a zingy Christmas margarita, a snow daquiri and an apple rum punch among others. These drinks are also available as part of NIO’s core ‘Build Your Cocktail Box’ proposition.

The Dalmore 30

The Dalmore Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky this season introduced an annual, limited-edition 30 Year Old, which will offer whisky lovers the opportunity to indulge in a masterpiece year after year.

Aged in rare 30 Year Old Tawny Port pipes from celebrated independent winemaker Graham’s, The Dalmore 30 Year Old 2021 Edition marks the first release of a new annual bottling, representing the an exceptional whisky designed to be enjoyed, every year.  

With just 1,318 bottles available globally, the 2021 Edition whisky started life in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before being transferred into exceptionally rare Graham’s 30 Year Old Tawny Port Pipes, until ready to be bottled.

Cuvée Louise 2005 by Champagne Pommery

Champagne Pommery has announced its new vintage of its iconic champagne, Cuvée Louise 2005. As the brand notes, 2005 was the year of stillness – a plentiful harvest that took place during cool, dry, and sunny days, marked by quality and abundance.

There are three Grands Crus that make up Cuvée Louise – Ay, Avize and Cramant – grapes come from the best plots in the heart of Pommery’s vineyards. The wine is bold and perfectly balanced but supremely smooth and featuring a soft finish with gentle bitterness.

Glenfiddich Grand Cru

The luxurious Glenfiddich 23-Year-Old Grand Cru is an exclusive expression of single malt whisky finished in rare French cuvée wine casks, the same used to house the world’s most extraordinary wines.

Remarkably rich in colour and flavour, it enjoys a long maturation in American and European oak casks, elevating the traditional whisky gift to new heights and making it a suitable celebratory liquid – not only to be enjoyed neat, but to be shared together.

Courvoisier XO

Courvoisier is a stunning, timeless classic Cognac, and the XO expression is the brand's magnum opus. With notes of exotic vanilla, crème brûlée, candied orange and iris flowers, this is a treat like no other.

The spirit contains long-aged eaux-de-vie from Grande & Petite Champagne for elegance and depth of flavour on the palate.

Vecchia Romagna Riserva 18

Vecchia Romagna, Maestro of Emotions and Italy’s leading brandy founded in 1820, has announced the launch of Vecchia Romagna Riserva 18, now available at selected retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of £130.00.   

Intense and aromatic, the new release captures 18 years of pure emotion with an expertly selected blend of spirits aged for a minimum of 18 years in precious French oak barriques and large Slavonian oak casks. It is refined in barrels that have previously been used to make the prestigious Italian red wine, Amarone della Valpolicella.