Did 2025 turn out the way you were expecting it to? The world\u2019s gone so insane that, at this point, I don\u2019t think anything that happens in the next 12 months could possibly surprise us.<\/p>\n Did you also get the memo that the alcohol business is in massive decline? Turns out people stopped drinking, just when they needed it the most.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re holding fast to the good stuff and are still planning to gift a liquid present to loved ones this year, good news: Our holiday gift guide is back for its 18th year, and we\u2019ve scoured the some 1000+ reviews we\u2019ve published in 2025 to find the best wine and spirits products out there that are a) something special and worth giving as a gift, b) reasonably available online or off, and c) not outrageously priced. As usual, we try to keep our gift selections in the $100 and under range, though you\u2019ll find a splurge or two in the list where it\u2019s warranted.<\/p>\n As a reminder, the prices listed below are current \u201cstreet price\u201d averages as of press time, but they can fluctuate, often quite a bit. Shop around before you pull the trigger.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find most of these products available from our retail partners at Flaviar<\/a>, Total Wine<\/a>,\u00a0Frootbat<\/a>, and Wine.com<\/a>. You can also search multiple stores at wine-searcher<\/a> to find the best prices on all these products and more from shops across the internet. If you can\u2019t find something \u2014 or want a totally unique recommendation for a someone that isn\u2019t well-represented by our list \u2014 please send an email or leave a comment below.<\/p>\n Also this year we revamped our Drinkhacker merch<\/a> with a new provider \u2014 we\u2019ve got lots of cool options now and quality is great. We also appreciate if you follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Twitter\/X<\/a>, or all three for the latest and greatest, and sign up for our weekly newsletter<\/a> to get Drinkhacker via email.<\/p>\n Finally, don\u2019t forget that previous picks are still out there and make great gifts. For more top gift ideas check out the archives and read our 2024<\/a>, 2023<\/a>, 2022<\/a>, 2021<\/a>, 2020<\/a>, 2019<\/a>, 2018<\/a>, 2017<\/a>, 2016<\/a>, 2015<\/a>, 2014<\/a>, 2013<\/a>, 2012<\/a>, 2011<\/a>, 2010<\/a>, 2009<\/a>, and 2008 holiday guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n Scotch \u2013 GlenDronach Ode to the Dark<\/a> ($99)\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 As is often the case, many of our favorite Scotch whiskies this year were on the costly side, but the frugal shopper will readily find plenty of value in the category with a bit of digging \u2014 providing the tariffs don\u2019t bite you. This GlenDronach, aged in PX sherry casks, is one of the most decadent single malts of 2025, and it\u2019s available for just under 100 bucks. More great deals include Aberfeldy 15 Years Old Finished in Semillon Wine Casks<\/a> ($71), Arran Sauternes Cask<\/a> ($68), or Loch Lomond 12 Years Old<\/a> ($49).\u00a0For those peat lovers worthy of a little extra, consider a bottle of Port Askaig 17 Years Old<\/a> ($158).<\/p>\n Other Whiskey \u2013 New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey 2025<\/a> ($70) <\/strong>\u2013 I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll find a better deal on (or better quality from) cask strength American single malt than this 7 year old from New Riff. For a splurge, check out Blue Spot Irish Whiskey 7 Years Old<\/a> ($196), and for something way off the beaten path, consider a gift of\u00a0Hard Truth Mizunara Finished Sweet Mash Rye<\/a> ($85). One final option worth picking up:\u00a0If you can find Bushmills Private Reserve 12 Years Old Bordeaux Cask Finish 2025<\/a> ($80), it\u2019s one of the best Irish releases of the year for under $100.<\/p>\n Vodka\/Soju<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Hoodoo Espresso Vodka<\/a> ($36)<\/strong> \u2013 Mississippi-based Cathead Distilling produces this coffee-flavored vodka, which is basically an espresso martini, ready to be poured over ice, shaken, and consumed. It\u2019s a massive crowd pleaser and better than any of the RTD espresso martinis on the market \u2014 and probably better than what you\u2019d cook up yourself. Sailor raved about the expressive Mutiny Island Ginger Lime Infused Vodka<\/a> ($27), and\u00a0I also found the cherry-licorice-pepper flavored Yobo_Kish Bliss Soju Aperitif<\/a> ($42) a real delight and a low abv way to enjoy a vodka-adjacent festive sipper. Finally, for\u00a0the drinker who truly has everything, splurge on Pegasus Shooting Star Vodka<\/a> ($259), which is made with meteorites.<\/p>\n Rum \u2013 Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum<\/a> ($38) \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>The rum world is now undergoing a bit of the price inflation that the whiskey world experienced over the last decade-plus, so it\u2019s refreshing to find a rum that offers insane quality at a solid price, with this blend of four island rums, bottled at navy strength, at the top of our list. More great buys:\u00a0LM&V Flag Series Jamaica 2015<\/a> ($149) can often be found for under $100, and almost anything from Arhumatic<\/a> ($50 to $60), which is some of the most wildly infused rum we\u2019ve seen to date. For more great rum picks, see our most recent top 10 rums<\/a> list.<\/p>\n Tequila \u2013 Espolon Tequila Flor de Oro<\/a> ($46) <\/strong>\u2013 If you want to give a unique tequila gift this year, this unique marigold-infused tequila will have folks talking \u2014 and reaching for the bottle for a second shot. Mijenta Tequila Blanco Maestra Selection No. 1<\/a> ($100) is a more traditional style of tequila with an equally unique story behind it (the agaves used to make it are all grown from seed), and highly worth the extra outlay. More traditional options include Tequila Herradura Blanco<\/a> ($48) \u2014 the first truly unaged tequila from Herradura available in the U.S. \u2014 and Lalo Tequila Blanco High Proof<\/a> ($74), a massive crowd-pleaser. Check out our top 10 tequilas and mezcals<\/a> list for more picks.<\/p>\n Liqueur \u2013 Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey Eggnog<\/a> ($21) <\/strong>\u2013 Sailor makes a strong case for peanut butter eggnog being on your holiday table, and I\u2019m not going to argue with her. St. Elder Espresso Liqueur<\/a> ($20) is another outstanding, festive choice, or track down a bottle of Angostura Bitters 200th Anniversary Edition<\/a> ($70\/200ml) for the discriminating Old Fashioned fanatic in your fam.<\/p>\n Wine<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> You can\u2019t ever go wrong with a bottle of wine. Check out our latest best-of lists for great picks, including our top 10 wines for summer<\/a> and our top 10 wines for winter<\/a> features.<\/p>\n Books<\/strong>\u2013 Some of our favorite boozy titles of the year: The Japanese Way of Whisky<\/a>, In Session: Low-Proof Cocktails for High-Quality Occasions<\/a><\/em>, and The Botanical Bar<\/em><\/a> are all great gifts, depending on the interests of your giftee.<\/p>\n As a final note: If you need another custom gift idea (or have a higher\/lower budget), drop us a line or leave a comment here and we\u2019ll offer our best advice!<\/p>\n Looking to buy any of the above? Give our retail partners at Flaviar<\/a>, Total Wine<\/a>, Frootbat<\/a>, and Wine.com<\/a>\u00a0a try! Remember you can search multiple stores at wine-searcher<\/a> for hard-to-find products.<\/p>\n Thanks for reading! Get the best of Drinkhacker in your inbox each week by subscribing to our newsletter<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n Visited 127 times, 125 visit(s) today<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Drinkhacker\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.drinkhacker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/christmas-3021154_1920.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Bourbon \u2013 Maker\u2019s Mark The Keepers Release 2025 Limited Release<\/a> ($86) <\/strong>\u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Maker\u2019s Mark rightfully gets all kinds of ink for its excellent Cellar Aged series, but the best whiskey it put out this year was this beautiful special edition in the wood finishing series, selected by the rickhouse workers at the company, finished with 10 virgin toasted American oak staves. More outstanding $100-or-less (but special edition) picks include Booker\u2019s Bourbon \u201cBy the Pond Batch\u201d 2025-02<\/a> ($100), Blue Note Honey Bourbon Cask 2024<\/a> ($63), Lasso Motel Bourbon Tokaji Cask Finish<\/a> ($65), and the already iconic Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 Years Old<\/a> ($94). If you can\u2019t find any of these, take a gander at our top bourbons under $50<\/a> and top bourbons under $100<\/a> list, which is filled with ubiquitously available stock.<\/p>\n<\/a>Gin \u2013 Hendrick\u2019s Oasium Gin<\/a> ($42) <\/strong>\u2013 This Middle Eastern themed special edition is one of the best Hendrick\u2019s releases in years, an exotic crowd-pleaser that won\u2019t break the bank. A couple of additional solid picks include\u00a0Conniption Navy Strength Gin<\/a> ($41) from North Carolina and As Above, So Below Elvira Autumnal Gin<\/a> ($41), which boasts Cassandra Peterson herself as brand ambassador. For more thoughts, check out our most recent top 10 gins<\/a> list.<\/p>\n<\/a>Brandy \u2013 Ferrand S.D.A. Cognac (2025) <\/a><\/strong>($238)<\/strong> \u2013 It was a light year for brandy releases for us, with not a whole lot of value out there except for a surprise in the form of Martell VS Cognac<\/a> ($38), which isn\u2019t entirely new but is a great discount. This indulgent \u201cSelection des Anges\u201d release from Ferrand is worth the splurge, as is Germain-Robin California Alambic Brandy XO<\/a> ($123) and Hine XO 1er Cru Cognac<\/a> ($247). Apple lovers should also check out Bhakta Calvados 1989<\/a> ($235).<\/p>\n