11 fabulously festive ways to say it with a bottle
This glitzy line-up is sure to be the toast of the town this Christmas, says Sam Wylie-Harris.
When it comes to gifting, sometimes what you’re looking for is right under your nose… literally.
Be it a beautiful bouquet for a wine lover; bold, aromatic spicy notes for a keen whisky sipper; or the blossomy, toasty effervescent of a vintage champagne, a liquid gift offers something the receiver can engage with before they even savour the flavour.
And if you’re Christmas shopping for a best friend or relative, and know exactly which tipple tickles their fancy, then you’re already ahead of the game.
To help you bag the best bottle, we’ve shortlisted some star serves which hit the right notes this holiday season…
1. Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack Tennessee Spiced Apple Punch, £16, 70cl, Tesco
Warm, vibrant, and bursting with flavour, aromas of apple pie and cinnamon, laced with holiday spices, vanilla and oaky notes mark JD’s festive offering for whiskey fans fond of a punch. Warm gently and drink in a taste of nostalgia.
2. Whispering Angel 2025, Limited Edition 20th Vintage, France, £23, Tesco
A special release celebrating the 20th anniversary of the most famous still rosé wine in the world, this fresh, satin smooth, ballet slipper pink with soft berry notes and crisp, clean finish echoes a riviera lifestyle – and passport to pleasure.
3. Hendrick’s Original & Another Hendrick’s Dual Pack, £30, 2 x 35cl, Amazon – available from first week of November
Presenting the best of both worlds, kick-start the festivities with the delightful floral aromas and rose and cucumber essences which make Hendrick’s Original stand out from the pack. Top a gin journey with Hendrick’s Another, and the delicate essences of orange and cacao – with two spritz recipes on the back of this twin-pack to complement a tasting adventure.
4. Altamura Vodka, £37.75, 70cl, The Whisky Exchange
A vodka with excellent credentials, Altamura wheat vodka is the official sponsor of The World’s 50 Best Hotels – and for cocktail hounds fond of a martini, this is the serve for their home bar and one to wheel out on the drinks trolley. With a smooth creamy texture, nuances of vanilla and citrus peel, it’s sure to be a roaring success.
5. Merry Christmas Mixed Wine Trio in Christmas Gift Box, £39, Virgin Wines
Putting the spotlight on three of our favourite styles, this tasty trio includes a fresh and vibrant Australian sauvignon blanc, alongside a beautifully smooth, Aussie shiraz which slips down a dream with its seamless layers of fruit; and a classic Rioja with characteristic notes of spice, liquorice and brambly fruits.
6. McConnell’s 5 Year Old Whisky Glass Pack, £45, 70cl McConnell’s Irish Whisky
One of the best things about gifting a favourite spirit is channelling some legendary Irish friendliness… and with this two-glass pack, McConnell’s brings everything to the table with this amber beauty finished in bourbon casks; with citrus and vanilla on the nose, flavours of stone fruits, butterscotch and spicy oak on the finish. Sláinte.
7. Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Bottle with Bow Pouch Holder, £60, Liberty
Moët & Chandon has Christmas all wrapped up with its festive red bow pouch holder, and bottle of Brut Imperial nestled inside. A perfect keepsake which shouts party time, the reusable bottle holder keeps this beautiful bubbly chilled for up to an hour.
8. Glenfarclas 190th Anniversary Edition, £104.95, Highland Whisky Shop
Celebrating a milestone, this Speyside legend pays homage to one of Scotland’s most historic family-owned distilleries with this special release. A robust, full-bodied house style, it’s matured in oloroso sherry casks with an aromatic nose and distinct sherry character; richly layered with spiced dried fruits, a rich sweetness and lasting finish. Bottled at 51.4% abv. A rare treat.
9. Corney & Barrow Own Labels Christmas Case, £165 (2 x six bottles of white, red and sparkling wine), Corney & Barrow
The next best thing to having your own in-house sommelier, Corney & Barrow has taken the stress out ‘which wine to serve’ with this 12-bottle case featuring six trophy labels and two of the following wines: Sparkling blanc de blancs, sauvignon blanc, white Burgundy, Côtes du Rhône, St Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux and Rioja Crianza. Great for self-gifting too.
10. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Festive Blend Whisky, Blended Scotch Whisky, £195.50, 70cl, Master of Malt
Johnnie Walker Blue Label has continued its partnership with Indian fashion designer Rahul Mishra for this new bottle design. Reflecting the aromatic richness and warming spices found in Indian cuisine, its master blender sourced some of the rarest reserves for this new Blue Label edition… with notes of cardamom, saffron, rosewater, citrus, a honeyed richness, warm spice and whisper of smoke on the finish… one of the finest drams for the whisky lover.
11. Champagne Dom Pérignon x Damien Hirst Vintage 2018 Limited Edition Gift Box, £230, Selfridges
The latest release in a string of illustrious collaborations, Dom Pérignon has tapped into the artistic skills of Damien Hirst to design this limited-edition bottle, said to be inspired by his Kaleidoscope series with works featuring brightly coloured butterfly wings. Reinterpreted into the famous Dom Pérignon shield, and resplendent in sapphire blues and majestic purple, this excellent vintage offers a taste of the high life and a champagne lovers’ champagne.