It is once again time for my annual “run around like a chicken with my head cut off and buy gifts for my spouse” day. Irony of ironies, I am a planner by profession, but do you think that would translate into my personal life? No way! So I will spend the next several lunch hours running here and there trying to find something for my wife that she will both appreciate and know I actually put a modicum of thought into. It got me to thinking, and thankfully this is not the case, but what if she was the same way? What if she needed some last minute gift ideas for me, what would I suggest to her, for me?
To the Internet! See there are some really great gifts available out there! You just need to know where to look. Have no fear we here at Beer and Whiskey Brothers have done the research and all you need to do is click through to get your “Whiskey Guy” a great last minute Christmas gift…
First on the list is glassware! It makes a big difference in how you experience your drinks. When i think whiskey glassware,
I am convinced that there is only one glass that is “the best” glass to use, and that is the Glencarin. First off, I think it is quite a beautiful glass with classic lines. Its shape concentrates the aromas to the nose and really makes for an enjoyable drinking experience. One other rather substantial benefit is they are small. They really only hold 1.5 to 2 ounces comfortably and this is a perfect pour for the whiskey enthusiast. Anything more and you run the risk of not being able to function for the remainder of the evening. This is a great gift for the whiskey lover and you can pick them up online here for only $11 a glass. Sounds spendy, but it is worth it.
Next, I think about the drink that we love so much. Give the gift of whiskey. What else would a whiskey lover want more than whiskey. You can get a lot of advice out there about what to get, but first take a look here. This is a post I did a while back that talks about which whiskey noobs would like. But you say “Don, my husband is an experienced whiskey drinker”…not to worry, I also make recommendations for more challenging whiskeys too, so he is sure to love whatever you get him off of this list.
You can’t go wrong with bourbon. Just pick him up something that is either on the list, or ask at your local liquor store, they can help out. If you happen to live in a control state and don’t know what to get him because he has been through all the whiskey your state has to offer, look here. Mission liquors has a great online store and will ship to most states. Some they cannot ship to because of our county’s arcane liquor laws, but check the site under shipping policies and it lists the 15 or so states where shipping liquor is illegal. Trust me if you try, even if it isn’t his favorite, he will appreciate your effort.
Finally from the realm of weird but awesome is my last gift suggestion. You know in these United States it is actually illegal
to distill your own liquor, even if it is for your own consumption. But brewers can brew all day long. Truth be told we whiskey drinkers can get a little jealous. So what is a whiskey drinker to do? Well a friend of mine recently did a re-aging project, and it had a lot of the excitement of home brewing without a lot of the mess. How do you re-age whiskey? Well you need a barrel. Now a 55 gallon barrel like they use in the distilleries is out of the question, but they do make small charred oak barrels for home use.
Really Don? You are suggesting I buy my husband or significant other an empty vessel? Yes I am! Trust me the vessel won’t be empty for long, and he will love the challenge of choosing the perfect whiskey and re-barreling it. Trying to find the perfect location to store it, tasting it every couple months until the whiskey is just right, trying to decide what whiskey to put into it too! He will have a blast. And if he happens to ne a home brewer as well, even more perfect, he has a seasoned barrel to age beer in too! Oak Barrels, LTD seems to have a good selection of barrel styles and sizes at a reasonable price. You can find their web site here.
So there you have it! Some easy gifts for your whiskey lover. Don’t forget that gift cards also make a nice gift too, as do tickets to the Bourbon Trail Bourbon Festival in Kentucky next October! Enjoy your Christmas, and have a safe and fun holiday.
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
I’d add Stranahans to that list!
When I did this post I hadn’t tried it yet, but I would agree with you Katie, Stranahans is great stuff.
it’s on mine!
i too love Stranahans!
Add me to the Stranahan’s fan list too. I have yet to make it to their distillery, despite living only 5 miles away. [hangs head in shame]
I went to a tasting for Leopold Brothers, another small Denver-based distillery last month and ended up buying a bottle of their “American Small Batch Whiskey” as a Xmas gift for my dad. I’m anxious to try it again, since it gave such a good initial impression.
I think that locally made spirits (or beers) make great gifts, especially for people who live in places where they can’t easily purchase it.
OK, all you Stranahans people, that is a GREAT idea. So to add to the list, if you have a local or regional micro-distillery by you, it is always a great thing to buy local product and support local business. Add that to the list! Happy hunting 🙂
That is a classy-looking glass Don, and the empty barrel is an interesting idea as well. Hmmmmm.
We’re full of interesting Ideas and class around here Scott…you just gotta look REAL close. 🙂
A last minute idea could be Whiskey Rocks
http://www.polarstones.weebly.com
Are “whiskey rocks” a cousin of that other booze-related affliction “whiskey di…” oh never mind! 😉
Thanks for the recommendation.