Holiday Gift Ideas 2023

It is that time of the year when people start thinking about what they should give their whiskey loving friend or loved one. I have written about this before and suggested several whiskeys, so I thought I would offer up some suggestions other than bottles this year.

I will start with the gift of knowledge. A good whiskey related book is always a welcome gift. I can start by recommending one of my books:

Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage which is an easy read filled with historical information on Bourbon.
The Bourbon Tasting Notebook or The American Whiskey Tasting Notebook is another gift idea for those who like tasting notes.

With the self- promotion out of the way, I will also recommend:

American History Through A Whiskey Glass by Harris Cooper
The Spirit Of Rye by Carlo DeVito

Both are excellent books full of information and should be easy to order from Amazon. For those who wouldlike a recipe book for food and cocktails, I would recommend:

Which Fork Do I Use With My Bourbon by Peggy Noe Stevens and Susan Reigler

Next, I will suggest a good whiskey tasting glass or two. I like the Glencairn whiskey glass and they are easy to find. Most distilleries sell branded Glencairn glasses and you should be able to order them on line from the distillery gift shops. I also like a small Brandy snifter when drinking whiskey and most places selling glassware will have them. Many liquor stores will carry glassware as well as bottles.

I also think a “Bourbon Date Night” is a good gift idea. Make a reservation for a Bourbon tasting event. Many restaurants are now offering dinners in which the menu will have food with whiskey in the recipe and they will pair each course with a specific whiskey. If you would rather stay at home, maybe do a whiskey and chocolate tasting. You can do this by picking up different styles of chocolate and pairing it with different styles of whiskey. I have written about this subject here. The same could be done with cheeses or country ham. A Bourbon Date Night does not have to be expensive, but they ae a lot of fun and a welcome gift to the whiskey lover.

Another gift idea is to make a reservation for a distillery tour. This is available in most states now as the number of distilleries has grown dramatically over the past decade. Distilleries are getting fully booked at all times so making a reservation for a tour is a timely gift and one that any whiskey fan will enjoy.

These are just a few ideas for holiday gifts. I hope that this is helpful and that you have a great holiday season.