28 Exceptional Spirits to Sip and Share With a Buddy This Holiday

I love spirits and we live in an amazing time with a massive diversity of options - from unique twists on classic American whiskeys to revivals of niche expressions from around the world. The holidays are a great time to bring a bottle to a friend's house and celebrate the spirit of the season. After all, each one of these is a fantastic opportunity to start a conversation and share a moment with someone special. Whether you're drawn to a Double-Gold winning bourbon like Moonlight Mayhem!2 The White Port Wolf with its immersive B-movie packaging, or seeking out craft distillers pushing boundaries in unexpected places, this roundup has something for every palate and occasion.

From American whiskey innovation to centuries-old cognac traditions, this year's holiday spirits lineup reflects the remarkable breadth of what's available to modern enthusiasts. Whether you're stocking your own bar, shopping for a discerning friend, or simply looking for the perfect bottle to bring to a holiday gathering, there's something here worth exploring.

Moonlight Mayhem!2 The White Port Wolf

This Double-Gold Medal winning expression from Filmland Spirits is a Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in White Port Casks and aged 7 years. Sweet and fresh with citrus and licorice on the nose, vanilla and cardamom on the tongue, and an earthy finish with grassy undertones and roasted hazelnut. The bottle comes with its own original B-movie concept, movie poster label, and packaging so entertaining they're called "adult cereal boxes" - check the website for a movie trailer designed to whet your appetite for this holiday-worthy sip.

Garrison Brothers Balmorhea

This was submitted by Mike from The Gentleman Racer as one of his favorites. This Texas-born, small-batch bourbon delivers serious personality with deep oak, warm vanilla, and countryside breadth that makes the bottle feel like a back-road drive at dusk. Ideal for whiskey lovers who appreciate craft and setting.

Basil Hayden Bourbon

This was submitted by Aaron from Aaron On Autos as one of his favorites. Part of Jim Beam's small batch collection, Basil Hayden is known for its lighter body and high-rye mash bill that delivers a spicy yet smooth character. It's an approachable bourbon that works equally well for newcomers and experienced whiskey drinkers looking for something easy-sipping.

Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva

This was submitted by Kevin from PubClub.com as one of his favorites. Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva is an elegant and complex sipping rum blended from exclusive aged reserves carefully selected by the brand's Master Blenders. Its signature smoothness and outstanding balance make it ideal for sipping neat or creating a twist on classic brown spirits cocktails.

First West Whiskeys by 15 STARS

This was submitted by Tom from BourbonBlog as one of his favorites. 15 STARS is built around older stocks and luxury-style blending from father-and-son artisan blenders Rick and Ricky Johnson, with releases designed to drink special right out of the box. Look for the 15 Stars Artisan Collection or the Founders Reserve Fine Aged Rye for premium options, or try their First West line extension for a more approachable price point with three clear lanes: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, and Extra Aged.

Trail's End Bourbon Aged 10 Years

Trail's End is a Kentucky Bourbon aged in charred new American Oak barrels, then finished in toasted Oregon Garryana Oak casks at Hood River Distillers. Glacier-fed spring water from Mt. Hood completes the vision - a rare bourbon with hallmarks of age and heritage bottled at 105 proof. The initial aroma delivers bright citrus, dark wood, and caramel, while the palate moves through wildflowers to a finish of rich vanilla and spices.

ULLR Nordic Libation

Named after the Norse God of skiing, ULLR is a unique combination of peppermint and cinnamon. Clear as melted snow, it starts with a bracing peppermint flavor that melts into a warm cinnamon finish. Enjoy it in hot chocolate, coffee, cold brew, or on the rocks - but it really shines served ice cold and straight up, preferably right out of the snow after a day on the mountain.

Sazerac de Forge & Fils Cognac Collection

Sazerac de Forge & Fils is a historic 1782 Cognac house recently revived by Sazerac Company, crafting expressions inspired by pre-phylloxera Cognacs using long-aged stocks and traditional methods. The XO offers a beautifully balanced introduction with silky, floral notes aged over two decades. The Grande Champagne Vintage 2000 captures a single harvest from Cognac's most celebrated cru. For the ultimate collector's piece, the 50-Year-Old blends three rare eaux-de-vie distilled in the early 1970s and aged for over half a century.

Ron del Barrilito

We couldn't pick just one expression from these guys! Ron del Barrilito has been made in the same place and in the same way since 1880 - aged 6 to 10 years in white oak barrels previously used for aging Oloroso sherry in Jerez, Spain. This handcrafted Puerto Rican rum balances smooth and fruity sweetness with a lingering smoky depth. With no artificial flavors or coloring, its rich character and heritage craftsmanship make it an exceptional gift for rum enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Woodford Reserve 2025 Holiday Bottle

Woodford Reserve is elevating the holiday season with its 2025 holiday bottle featuring artwork by fashion designer Alexandra O'Neill, founder of luxury brand Markarian - the first time Woodford has collaborated with a fashion designer for their annual release. The label features a delicate garland stripe of winter berries and alternating stars against a muted sage backdrop. Inside, the same perfectly balanced Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with over 200 detectable flavor notes.

Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey

Brother Justus focuses solely on American Single Malt whiskey, one of the fastest-growing spirit categories. Their lineup includes multiple expressions: the Founder's Reserve limited edition bursting with candied cherry and roasted pecan at 125 proof; the Cold-Peated American Single Malt, the first and only Cold-Peated whiskey in the world featuring pure peat flavor without the smoke; and their core American Single Malt showcasing Minnesota's prime geography for barley and white oak.

J. Rieger & Co. Whiskey Collection 3-Pack

Give the gift of variety with J. Rieger & Co.'s Whiskey Collection - a beautifully curated set featuring Kansas City Whiskey, Straight Rye, and Straight Bourbon, one of which was named to Robb Report's Top 10 Whiskeys of 2025. Perfectly packaged and ready for gifting, this trio makes an exceptional gift for upgrading a home bar or treating friends and colleagues to something truly special.

Blue Run High Rye Bourbon

Blue Run High Rye Bourbon with its iconic butterfly medallion is celebrating regional pride this season with customized Viceroy butterfly medallions on limited-release bottles. The award-winning expression is known for its elevated rye content, layered spice, and refined finish. Each custom medallion draws inspiration from state flags and regional symbolism, creating a meaningful connection between bourbon enthusiasts and the places they call home.

Tequila Centinela Tres Años

Founded in 1904, Tequila Centinela is the first distillery in Arandas, Jalisco, and remains 100% Mexican, family-owned, and independent. Known as the "Guardian of True Tequila," their Tres Años Extra-Añejo is aged 48 months in American whiskey barrels, delivering aromas of dark chocolate, caramel, and baked agave with a smooth, refined finish. This is additive-free tequila crafted from estate-grown agave and slow-roasted in traditional masonry ovens.

Herradura Legend Añejo

Tequila Herradura Legend is a unique Añejo made from the finest 100% blue agave, naturally fermented, distilled, and matured for 12 months in heavily charred, new American White Oak barrels. These special barrels have been deeply grooved, exposing the tequila to more layers of toasted oak as it patiently ages. The result is an incredibly rich, deep color and a luxuriously velvety smooth taste with notes of vanilla, dried fruit, and caramel balanced with cooked agave.

Dulce Vida Organic Blanco Tequila

This 100% organic Blue Weber agave spirit from Dulce Vida offers a bright citrus aroma balanced with a hint of spice and a smooth, sweet agave finish. Vibrant and versatile at 80 proof, this blanco tequila is the perfect addition to festive holiday cocktails or enjoyed on its own.

Ilegal Mezcal Collection

Founded in 2006, Ilegal Mezcal is one of the leading artesanal mezcals in the world, sold in over 40 countries with multiple awards including a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The collection includes three 375ml bottles: Joven with eucalyptus and mineral aromas, Reposado aged 6 months with caramelized pear and butterscotch, and Añejo aged 13 months delivering dark chocolate and sweet agave.

Chicas Divertidas Tequila

Chicas Divertidas is a premium tequila brand founded by three-time Grammy award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion. Sourced from the red volcanic highlands of Arandas, Jalisco, and crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave, the lineup includes a Blanco that's delicately sweet and citrus-forward with herbal hints of rosemary and green tea, and a Reposado richly balanced with caramelized agave and American oak.

Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto

Italicus was created by Giuseppe Gallo, an authority on Italian spirits, to bring back the forgotten Rosolio category. With keynotes of Calabrian bergamot and made using the finest Italian ingredients, the striking bottle design embodies the history and heritage of Italy's distinctive regions while telling the story of Rosolio's time-honored Aperitivo tradition. It's one of the world's most awarded aperitivos.

SAVOIA Orancio

SAVOIA Orancio is a citrus-forward, vegan, low-ABV aperitif wine inspired by the ancient tradition of orange wine and the flavors of the Silk Road. It harmoniously blends bitter orange, bergamot, and lime with saffron, ginger, and pomegranate. Crafted with a rich and fragrant profile, Orancio offers a balanced bittersweet taste with a refreshing finish - enjoy it over ice or mixed into cocktails for a vibrant aperitivo experience.

Dos Hombres Espadin Mezcal

Created by Aaron Paul, Bryan Cranston, and partner Gregorio Velasco, a third-generation mezcal maker, Dos Hombres is a unique blend of the finest Espadin agave hand-selected from the hillsides of a small village in Oaxaca. The result is an appealing fragrance and rich taste with distinctive smoothness. Serve neat in a snifter to allow the mezcal to "awake" and fully appreciate the flavors of this completely natural experience.

Oaklore Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon

Charlotte-based Oaklore Distilling Co. has released a new expression in its Story Series - a four grain bourbon finished in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks. This six-year-old, non-chill filtered small batch bourbon uses all four American whiskey grains (corn, wheat, barley, and rye) and takes advantage of North Carolina's Piedmont Region for barrel aging. The resulting whiskey features aromas of dried fig, raisin, and vintage wine coupled with cherry bark, cocoa, and apricot on the palate with a delightfully dry sherry finish.

High West Bourye

High West Distillery out of Park City, Utah has built a cult following with Bourye, their annual limited release blending straight bourbon and rye whiskeys aged at least 10 years. The 2025 expression leans into rye spice while maintaining the rich caramel and vanilla depth bourbon lovers expect. It's the kind of bottle whiskey enthusiasts actively hunt for - and exactly the sort of find worth sharing with a buddy who appreciates something beyond the ordinary.

Bonus: Local Craft Distilleries Worth Seeking Out

Okay, so this list got a little out of hand - but that's a great indicator of just how vibrant the spirits world is right now, and that adds a bit of extra joy to the season. Here are five more local craft picks worth seeking out:

• Toledo Spirits Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (Toledo, Ohio) - A hop-flavored whiskey distilled from craft beer that's experimental, small-batch, and never made the same way twice.
• Round Barn Black Walnut Cream (St. Joseph, Michigan) - Their twist on Irish cream features mocha, chocolate, toffee, and espresso with a black walnut finish.
• Copper Fox Single Malt Whisky (Sperryville, Virginia) - The only U.S. distillery to floor-malt their own barley and smoke it with apple and cherrywood instead of peat.
• Wildcat Brothers Fifolet Spiced Rum (Lafayette, Louisiana) - Acadiana's first craft rum distillery uses locally grown sugarcane and ages on family orchard fruitwood staves.
• Victoria Distillers Empress 1908 Gin (Sidney, British Columbia) - The iconic color-changing indigo gin infused with butterfly pea blossom and Fairmont Empress Hotel tea blend.

How to Choose the Right Holiday Spirit for Any Occasion

Finding the perfect bottle to share isn't just about price point or proof - it's about matching the spirit to the moment and the person receiving it.

Consider Who You're Shopping For

A bourbon enthusiast who's tried everything needs something with a story, like a regional craft release or a unique cask finish they haven't encountered. Someone new to brown spirits might appreciate the approachable character of Basil Hayden or the smooth elegance of Diplomático rum. When in doubt, look for bottles with compelling packaging and heritage that give you something to talk about when you hand them over.

Match the Spirit to the Setting

That bold 105-proof Trail's End bourbon belongs at a firepit gathering with close friends, not a refined cocktail party where a bergamot-forward Italicus would shine. Consider how the bottle will be enjoyed - are they sipping neat after dinner, mixing cocktails for a crowd, or adding something special to hot drinks on a cold night?

Don't Overlook Emerging Categories

American Single Malt, artesanal mezcal, and revived aperitivo categories offer sophisticated alternatives to the bourbon-dominated gift market. A bottle from Brother Justus or Ilegal Mezcal signals that you pay attention to what's happening beyond the mainstream - exactly the kind of discovery that makes holiday gatherings memorable.

Build a Relationship with Your Local Spirits Shop

The best recommendations often come from someone who knows both the inventory and your preferences. Develop a relationship with a knowledgeable retailer who can alert you to new arrivals, hold allocated bottles, and point you toward hidden gems that don't get the hype they deserve.