Top 10 Boozy Gifts To Buy On a Wealthy Expense Account
I am often asked through friends, family and business associates what bottles they should buy for themselves or their clients. I always ask what their budget is, for that helps me point them in the right direction. What would I suggest if a rich person’s personal assistant were to call me and ask what to give their boss for the holidays? Here is my realistic fun Top Ten list of what I would I buy if it was not my money.
Scotch
Diageo 2016 Special Release Brora 38 Year Scotch that sells for around $3000. Hopefully the wealthy person gives you a budget where you can buy two for one to drink and one to collect. Keep this "ghost distillery" bottle long enough and it will be a great addition to your “Liquor 401K.”
Highland Park Freya sells for around $300. I am partial to Highland Park Whiskey as I grew up in a town called “Highland Park” and it was one of the first whiskies I drank. Plus I am a big fan of the TV Series Vikings on History Channel so I like to drink it when watching the show.
Laphroaig 25 Year: My editor in chief, Amanda Schuster, says this is hands down one of the best mature whiskies she's ever tasted. It's fruity and velvety, but still has enough of that medicine-chest-washed-ashore-on-Islay note that makes their whiskies so special and treasured without the warn down hotness of older casks. $400
Cognac
Bache-Gabrielsen Sérénité Extra Grand Champagne Cognac: I simply love this Cognac house. It is a gold medal winner in the 2016 New York International Spirits Competition and not only is it a great Cognac, the packaging is so beautiful that anyone receiving it will proudly display it in their home.
Gin
Jared and the Sipsmith Smoked Venison Gin at Bar Convent, photo by Nicole del Rosario
Sipsmith Venison Smoked Gin: I'mnot sure if it is even commercially available. Master Distiller Jared Brown himself poured this for me at Bar Convent Berlin (BCB) this October and it was the best thing I tasted at the show. It was like drinking barbecue! He somehow smoked venison on the grill and bottled that flavor into gin. So we need a rich person to pay Jared to make this again and again and again. Plus since Sipsmith just received a sizable investment from Beam Suntory he is going to be even busier than before!
Beer
Samuel Adams Utopias sell for around $200. This is an amazing beer that won a gold medal in the 2016 New York International Beer Competition that is bottled at 22-28%, which alone is a technical brewing achievement. I love the cool packaging that is a replica of still.
Any beer from the 2016 NYIBC Belgian Brewery of the Year Brouwerij Van Steenberg. Though you have to buy it in person, so the rich boss has to pay for your airline ticket to bring back fresh beer! That will make your friends jealous!
Wine
I have really been getting into Port again the last few years. When I walk around Prowein after lunch I always head to the Portugal stands and sample Ports. A favorite has been Cabral Port including their luxurious 30 Year.
I was recently at a great wine dinner led by Master Sommelier Alpana Singh who was extolling the virtues of Pinot Noir. My suggestion is Lafond Vineyard 2012 Pinot Noir. It is from the Santa Rita Hills, in the small appellation of the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara.
Champers
Or go for a bottle of Champagne! One of the most expensive and sought after is theBollinger R.D. 2002. Retailing for around $325 a bottle, this is James Bond's favorite from one of the great Champagne vintages of that decade.