Booze is a great gift idea.
Tasty, shareable, usually comes with a story. The story here, however? All of the spirits below will cost you over $1,000 … and possibly over $10,000.
And that’s because these bottles are extremely limited edition, admittedly a little ridiculous in the packaging and backstory and certainly not suitable for white elephant gifting. But give a client, boss or loved one a bottle of one of these pricy tipples, and you’re guaranteed to leave a warm spot in their hearts and palates.
Or heck, just buy a bottle for yourself. ‘Tis the season for special occasion drinking.
Tequila: Casa Noble Selección del Fundador Volume II
We flew down to Mexico last year to try Casa Noble’s previous four-figure experiment, so we’re admittedly fans. This year’s limited edition release is a triple-distilled extra añejo, aged eight years in Taransaud 114-liter French white oak barrels. Only 300 bottles available. ($1500)
Scotch: Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old Single Malt
From the oldest licensed distillery on Islay comes this single malt, which matured in a single cask that was set aside in 1966 — the same year Bowmore Single Malt Scotch was first officially bottled. Presented in a handmade crystal decanter housed within a cabinet handcrafted from Scottish oak. 74 bottles available. ($30,000)
Japanese Whisky: Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2017 Edition
Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery matures its spirits in rare Japanese oak casks. This blend of over 100 whiskies, aged anywhere from 18-50 years, arrives in a bottle enclosed by a wood box made from the Mizunara cask material. 5,000 bottles available. ($1000)
Rum: Black Tot 40-Year Old Rum
Named after the last day the Royal Navy issued sailors a daily rum ration (known as a “tot”) , this 40-year old tipple is a blend of rums from the last consignment produced for the British sea forces. And it isn’t your usual sweet sipper. Distilled in Guyana, BT 40 delivers a “thick dark treacle and olive brine mix with cherry concentrate and charred oak” on the palate. Yum? ($1700)
Cognac: LOUIS XIII Legacy
Each decanter of LOUIS XIII’s new Legacy release takes four generations of Cellar Masters one century to create. These 500 crystal magnum decanters are then hand-signed, numbered and housed in coffret made of Italian calfskin leather … and they’re only available via Louis XIII’s concierge service. ($15,000)
Gin: The Archaeologist
Gin infused with vintage Harley-Davidson parts (seriously), including 1939 flathead camshafts, 1947 knucklehead screw-nuts from Chile and 1962 panhead rocker arms from South Korea. Each bottle is custom-made from clear glass. Released this year but already sold out, bottles originally retailed for over $1000. Maybe email them about getting your own bottle.
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