If you are looking for the perfect gift for the discerning whisky, wine or booze lover in your life, you have come to the right place. From Father’s Day to Christmas, most special occasions call for a good get-together around the bar, kitchen or barbeque, so naturally, your drop of choice means a lot. Whatever your poison, whether it be whisky, beer, wine or gin, the work shackles are off and you’re free to enjoy as much (or as little) as you like. However, a good drink is more than just entertainment for the big day. In fact, it also makes for a pretty stellar gift. If you’ve got a family member or friend who doesn’t mind a tipple from the top shelf, we’ve got you covered. These alcohol gift ideas are perfect for the boozehound in your life, we guarantee it.
Best Alcohol Gifts at a Glance
Ardbeg Anthology – The Unicorn’s Tale
Price: AUD$250
When it comes to smoky single malts, Ardbeg is an undisputed master of their craft. No stranger to limited edition releases, the Islay-based distillery presents the second chapter of their ongoing Anthology series. This one spent 14 years inside a combination of aromatic Madeira and classic bourbon casks to achieve its toe-curling flavour profile. It went on to earn a number of major awards, including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 and two Gold medals at the International Spirits Challenge 2024 and the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Meanwhile, you had us at Ardbeg!
Ardbeg’s latest limited edition from the Anthology series is inspired by the mythical Islay Unicorn. Like the unicorn itself, this refined spirit layers a sinister and smoky bite beneath its sweet veneer. More to the point, each sip delivers a complex flavour profile of peat smoke and dark chocolate with hints of green apple and a sherried twist. It will debut as an exclusive pre-release today via the Australian Ardbeg Committee website (signing up is free). From the 13th August, it will become available to non-committee members via the same link. No matter how you score this bottle, make sure that you do because it’s a winner. Sip it neat or on the rocks and expect to savour every last drop.
Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack 700ml
In Partnership with Jack Daniel’s
Price: AUD $75.99
What happens when Jack Daniel’s signature Tennessee whiskey undergoes its unique charcoal mellowing process not once but twice? It creates the ultimate smooth sipper, that’s what. Beautifully balanced and perfect for special occasions, it packs notes of vanilla, caramel and baking spice. Combine that with an affordable price tag and you’re looking at a terrific gift for any modern whiskey lover.
Dubbed the “smoother side of Jack,” Gentleman Jack was created back in 1987 as a tribute to the distillery’s original founder. Each batch is matured in handcrafted barrels on the lower floors of the barrel house, where the milder climate yields a softer flavour profile. The result is a truly effortless sipper, which reveals delectable nuance when enjoyed neat but also makes for a fantastic cocktail base. Pick up a bottle for Dad and make it a Father’s Day to remember.
Coravin Pivot Wine Preservation System
Price: from AU$199.95
The best thing about Coravin’s Pivot Wine Preservation System is that it actually works. Using sleek components and 100% pure Argon gas, the system prevents oxygen from entering the bottle to preserve your vino for up to four weeks. Best of all, when you finish a bottle closed with a Pivot Stopper, you can remove and reuse that Stopper again and again. Purchase more Stoppers to preserve and enjoy even more wines. Cheers to that!
Waterford Marquis by Waterford Brady Decanter Set
Price: from AU$299.50
Let’s be honest: buying alcohol for passionate drinkers can be a hit-or-miss scenario because they might have a picky palate. Perhaps it’s better to get them some classy drinkware instead. Enter this stylish decanter set from Waterford, which is forged from hefty crystal and adorned with opulent cutting patterns. Perfect for holding spirits, it’s also a veritable decor booster.
Archie Rose Personalised Label Gin
Price: from AU$39
One of Australia’s most acclaimed distilleries is giving you the chance to craft your very own custom gin. Everything from the bottle size to the botanical blend to the label design is up for grabs as you put together a truly tailored spirit. Can you top the stellar work of Archie Rose and their blending experts? There’s only one way to find out! Naturally, this is a thoughtful gift for gin lovers.
E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Price: from AU$257.99
Named after one of the bourbon industry’s founding fathers, E.H. Taylor’s Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is as quintessential as they come. It’s crafted from quality ingredients and aged to perfection inside century-old warehouses, resulting in deep flavour and supreme sippability. For the whiskey lover in your life, this one’s a no-brainer. One might even call it the bourbon drinker’s bourbon so buy with confidence.
Don Julio 1942 Añejo Tequila
Price: from AU$299.99
This premium tequila was released in 2002 to celebrate Don Julio’s 60th anniversary and it’s been seducing palates ever since. Aged for up to 30 months and double-distilled, it’s presented in one of the world’s most iconic and recognisable bottles. The liquid within is worthy of its legacy, delivering a sweet and luscious nose and the decadent taste of vanilla, toffee, and agave with fruity undertones. Don’t settle for the slew of modern imitators when you can score this original stunner instead.
Berlinzo Clear Ice Cube Maker
Price: from AU$51.95
Do you even ice, bro? If not, it’s time to discover the wonders of a quality BFC (as in “big f**king cube”). This BPA-free silicone kit will bring you and your liquid up to speed, creating clear and solid cubes of ice that take much longer to melt. You’ll never go back to puny ice cubes again.
Tomatin 12YO Single Malt Whisky
Price: from AU$91.99
First built in 1897, the Scottish distillery Tomatin is now owned by a Japanese company that takes an “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” approach. From locally sourced water and traditional maturation methods comes an effortlessly sippable spirit and an affordable one at that. This particular expression underwent finishing in Oloroso Sherry casks for an extra layer of sweet flavour and nuance.
Barrel Lane Whisky Club
Price: from AU$149
Why try one delicious Aussie whisky when you can try them all? That’s the idea behind Barrel Lane Whisky Club, a subscription-based service that sends Australian whisky tastings to your door every one to two months. There are plenty of goodies included with each subscription, including notes, stories, glassware, and exclusive access to limited-edition releases.
Starward Two-Fold Whisky
Price: from AU$79
Melbourne’s own Starward Distillery is never afraid to mix things up and this award-winning whisky is here to prove it. Equal parts dynamic and approachable, it marries together a wheat whisky and a single malt whisky and matures the result in Aussie red wine barrels. This one simply pops on the palate in bursts of juicy red fruit and sweet vanilla, counterbalanced by premium grain and subtle oak spice. Yum.
With its creamy texture and fruity character, Two-Fold whisky makes for one heck of a terrific sipper. However, it’s also the perfect base for your next classic or seasonal cocktail. No matter how you serve this double-grain spirit, expect a vibrant and unforgettable tasting experience until the very last drop. Pick up a bottle for the spirits-lover in your life and show them why Starward is putting Australian whisky on the world map.
Ardbeg 10 Years Old
Price: from AU$99.95
Among those who love smoky single malts, Ardbeg needs no introduction. Hailing from the island of Islay, the iconic distillery has been bringing the peat for over two centuries and counting. Their signature Ten Years Old is as classic as they come and by that we mean it’s one of the most uncompromising drams you can ever experience. Only the bold need apply.
Now that we’ve scared off the lightweights, we’ll add that Ardbeg Ten Years Old is far more complex than its peaty reputation would suggest. Intermingled within the smoky profile are notes of lemon, lime, black pepper, sea brine, and liquorice root. Combine that with a full-bodied texture and you get a taste that starts at your mouth and runs straight down to your toes and back. The finish goes on and on long and smoky with tarry espresso, aniseed, toasted almonds and traces of soft barley and fresh pear.
Pick up a bottle of Ardbeg Ten Years Old for your favourite whisky drinker and prepare to make their holiday. Indeed, who needs chestnuts roasting on an open fire when you can have the fire instead? Now you’re getting it!
Soho Home Barwell Cut Crystal Martini Shaker
Price: from AU$200
James Bond preferred his martinis shaken and it’s a fair bet that he also would have liked them prepared in this cut crystal shaker. The Barwell release from Soho Home is a sparkling ode to the heyday of premium home mixology, complete with a touch of old-world charm. This shaker is made from cut crystal with a 24 per cent lead content because, as the brand says, “the higher the lead content, the greater the brilliance and the more it sparkles in sunlight”. Can’t argue with that.
Bondi Liquor Co Rhubarb Gin
Price: from AU$90
Sydney drinks specialists Bondi Liquor Co have been serving up quality gin for a few years now, but the latest addition brings something new to the fold. The Rhubarb Gin features an intense and flavourful liquid that goes well on its own or in a premium cocktail. The blushing pink colour and tartness come from the unique process that sees the gin has been with rhubarb post-distillation.
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Norlan Nyht Whisky Decanter
Price: from AU$565
Compact and stylish, the Norlan Nyht Whisky Decanter is the perfect gift for the whisky lover in your life. According to whisky expert Norlan, the ergonomically designed utensil was inspired by the ritual of carrying a carafe of water with an inverted glass to the bedside. As a result, the Nyht Whisky Decanter is ideal for enjoying a few sips of whisky while engrossed in a book, album, or film. A must-have for any whisky connoisseur.
LG 8 Bottle Mini Wine Fridge
Price: from AU$499
Perfect for the wine collector who is short on space, the LG 8-Bottle Mini Wine Fridge is a serious piece of kit. The mini wine fridge measures 282mm wide by 497mm high and 534mm deep, which is enough room for eight bottles of wine. The fridge also includes double-glazed glass, adjustable temperature settings, and an LED Electronic Temperature Display Window so you can monitor the temperature without opening the door.
MORRIS Australian Single Malt Whisky Tokay Barrel
Price: from AU$145
If you want to surprise someone with an award-winning alcohol gift, the Australian Single Malt Whisky Tokay Barrel from MORRIS might be your best bet. After the first release was named Australian Whisky of the Year by The Whisky Club, MORRIS returned to the warehouse to revisit the collection. The second release builds on the inaugural success, crafted from all Australian local ingredients and aged in predominately French oak ex-red wine casks at MORRIS’ regional distillery in Rutherglen Victoria. Expect to find intense flavours of toffee, mocha, and soft caramel with a generous mid-palate.
Cote D’or Murano Red Wine Glass Set
Price: from AU$330
The perfect gift for wine lovers, the NasonMoretti Cote d’Or Murano Red Wine Glass takes craftsmanship to new levels. The unique drinking vessel is characterised by a handblown, traditional ribbed glass texture that Fairfax & Roberts says has been “reinterpreted with a new, contemporary silhouette to breathe life into any tablescape”. The delightful pistachio colour comes by way of the meticulous alchemical practices and ancient recipes, which NasonMoretti reveals has been secretly handed down over the centuries.
The Japanese Art of Cocktail Making | Image: Amazon
The Japanese Art of Cocktail Making
Price: from AU$57.99
Want to elevate the Christmas cocktail list? This 2022 James Beard Foundation Beverage with Recipes Award-nominated book explores the fabled flavours of award-winning mixologist Masahiro Urushido. Renowned for his work at acclaimed Japanese-American cocktail bar Katana Kitten in New York, Masahiro’s ability to not only capture traditional flavours but reinvent them has become the stuff of legend. In The Japanese Art of the Cocktail, Masahiro shares his extensive knowledge of Japanese cocktails, while dishing out 80 recipes that best encapsulate Japan’s contribution to the cocktail scene.
The Dalmore 18-Year-Old
Price: from AU$475
Is your special someone a fan of the top-shelf? It doesn’t get much more premium than Scotch whisky icon The Dalmore. This 18-year-old release showcases the Highlands label’s house style; a unique single malt with a rich, deep chocolate character. The Dalmore 18-Year-Old is finished in some of the rarest casks in the world matured for 18 years and finished for up to two years in Matusalem Sherry casks, exclusive to the Alness distillery. A special gift for a special person.
Penfolds Bin 389 Shiraz 2019
Price: from AU$99.99
Often referred to as ‘Baby Grange’, Bin 389 is premium wine without the crazy price tag. This stellar release from Australia’s favourite winemaker is matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange and it has many of the same characteristics. It is a generous combination of grapes that fuses the structure of cabernet sauvignon with the richness of shiraz to give way to that delightful mid-palate Penfolds is known for.
Man of Many Exclusive Westward Whiskey American Single Malt Barrel Selection
Price: from AU$175
Call us biased, but we happen to think the Man of Many x Westward American Single Malt Whiskey is pretty darn good. Created in collaboration with the award-winning Portland-based Westward distillery, the whiskey uses an exclusive barrel selected by Man of Many co-founders Scott Purcell and Frank Arthur. It balances notes of malted barley, crème brulée, and rich toffee, with an underlying beer-based character that’s become one of Westward’s calling cards. Sweet malt carries through the stout-like finish, which goes big on chocolate, coffee, and toasted almonds. There’s only a limited amount available to snag, so if you know a whisky lover that is hard to buy for, this one is a sure-fire winner, if we do say so ourselves.
Laguiole Jean Dubost Waiter’s Corkscrew
Price: from AU$
If the wino in your life wants to do as the professionals do, the Laguiole Jean Dubost Waiter’s Corkscrew is a gift you can’t go past. Crafted using ultra-strong, durable stainless steel and olivewood, this drinking utensil is designed to withdraw corks in a single movement. Best of all, it comes by way of the Dubost family, who have been creating fine flatware for four generations in France’s Laguiole region. Made in France and designed using the most meticulous of techniques, this Waiter’s Corkscrew is a gift that won’t disappoint.
Riedel Tumbler Collection Shadows | Image: Riedel
Riedel Tumbler Collection Shadows
Price: from AU$60
Designed by Maximilian J. Riedel, the Shadows Tumbler by Reidel is the pinnacle of classic glassware. A versatile piece of drinking equipment, these tumblers are perfect for complimenting any table setting, from elegant to casual. Designed to mimic a reflective shadow with its linear pattern, this drinking vessel is seriously high-class.
Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon Whiskey
Price: from AU$254.99
Kentucky Owl Confiscated goes out to bourbon lovers everywhere with its rich and classic flavour profile, which counterbalances sweet notes of vanilla and brown sugar with a dry backbone of oak spice. It clocks in at 48.2% ABV and tastes as terrific neat as it does on the rocks or in a spirit-forward cocktail. This is American whiskey done right.
Things to Consider for Alcohol Gift Ideas
When it comes to alcohol gift ideas, simply wrapping a bow on a bottle of whisky isn’t quite enough. In fact, if you want to get the special occasion right, there are a few things you need to consider:
- Price: Perhaps the most obvious consideration, the price will inevitably play a factor in your purchasing decision. While you may want to splash out for a significant birthday or gifting event, more often than not, you’ll be aiming around the $50-$100 mark. To get the most out of your alcohol gift idea, don’t be afraid to shop around for the best price.
- Spirit choice: Is your special someone a wine fan or do they prefer a whisky? Knowing what to get is half the battle when it comes to buying gifts for wine lovers and drinks experts. Start by identifying what kind of drink they regularly go for and then look to elevate their every day by going one step higher than the average.
- Investment: Over the past few years we’ve seen alcohol become more than just a Saturday afternoon sipper. If you are looking to purchase an alcoholic gift for a friend or loved one, maybe you should consider an investment piece. New or special releases might grow in price or collectibility, so it’s always a good idea to consider investment as a gift idea.
Alternatives to Alcohol Gifts
If you are looking for something other than just a great tipple or some of the hard stuff, we’ve got you covered. Outside of just alcohol gift ideas, we’ve collated our favourite releases across a number of different categories. So, no matter what that special someone in your life is keen on, you’ll find it here.
How Man of Many Chose the Best Alcohol Gift Ideas
With more than 10 years of experience sipping the best drops on earth, Man of Many’s editors are sticklers for research and certainly know a thing or two about drinks. This list of gift ideas was curated through the personal experience of experts, alongside extensive and online research from drinks critics and expert reviewers. Each product on this list was checked by the Man of Many staff prior to publication for the official tick of approval. You can review our editorial policy here surrounding how we maintain our independence in our editorial reviews.
Alcohol Gift Ideas FAQs
If you are stuck for gift ideas, a great bottle of wine, whisky or some new glasses are always great options. For the discerning wine lover in your life, a new set of champagne flutes or drinking glasses will suffice, while whisky lovers will enjoy a subscription service or gift pack.
Sending food alongside an alcoholic gift can be a great way to elevate the experience. We recommend sending biscuits, cheese (provided you have some way to store it) and chocolate always makes a great pairing.
While some people may not be drinkers, alcohol gift ideas are generally great stocking stuffers or easy choices. Most people love to celebrate special occasions and a great bottle of wine, whisky or a new set of tumblers will never disappoint.
