If you somehow missed it, we are in the midst of the holiday season. This means a seemingly endless number of get-togethers and parties from now until New Year’s Eve. Also, this means you’ll be eating a large number of gut-busting, indulgent meals. All of these meals and the various festivities are likely to be paired with a nice cocktail or a glass of whiskey, rum, tequila, and other spirits.
Based on my experience covering alcohol trends, the holidays are when enthusiasts consume more spirits and cocktails than at any other time of year. That’s why it’s wise to stock up on the right bottles in advance.
The must-have spirits for the holidays
With the holidays in full swing, it’s important to stock up on at least a few bottles. If you’re anything like us, you like to branch out and grab bottles of various whiskey varieties as well as rums, gins, tequilas, and even vodkas. You never know when a guest at one of your holiday soirees will want to sip on a specific spirit neat or mixed into their favorite cocktail. Below, you’ll find our must-have bottles for the season. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Copperworks Pondera Cabernet Cask American Single Malt Whiskey
The rise of popularity (and official designation) of American single malt whiskey means that you should probably have at least one bottle on hand for your family and friends to enjoy. A great choice is the recently released Copperworks Pondera Cabernet Cask American Single Malt Whiskey. Made with pale malted barley, it was matured for more than 7 years in a refill Copperworks cask before being finished for 6 months in a Cabernet Sauvignon cask from Pondera. The result is a 100-proof, multi-layered, sippable whiskey with notes of fresh leather, candied orange peels, chocolate, and pine.
Blackleaf Organic Vodka
Your guests definitely do better than bottom-shelf vodka this holiday season. A great choice is Blackleaf Organic Vodka. This French-made, award-winning, premium vodka is made with a recipe featuring 100% organic winter wheat. The first organic French vodka is an eco-friendly, sustainable brand. This results in a sublimely balanced vodka with a velvety mouthfeel and flavors of orchard fruits, candied nuts, vanilla, sweet wheat, and just a hint of cracked black pepper. This complex vodka is well-suited for holiday gatherings, alongside the ingredients for a classic Vodka Martini or Vodka soda.
Waterloo No.9 Gin
Gin is another spirit that you need to take seriously during the holidays. Nobody wants a bottom-shelf gin that tastes like grandma’s potpourri. A great choice is Waterloo No. 9 Gin. The brand’s flagship expression, this gin is a North American-style gin distilled with pecan, grapefruit, and lavender. Vapor-infused with 9 botanicals, it’s known for its dry, balanced flavor profile of pine needles, candied nuts, lavender, and other herbs and botanicals. It’s the perfect gin for your seasonal Cranberry Gin & Tonic or Gimlet.
Casa Noble Añejo Tequila
Fans of whiskey love well-made añejo tequilas. One of the best is Casa Noble Añejo Tequila. While to be considered an añejo tequila, the spirit only needs to mature for a minimum of one year, Casa Noble Añejo is matured for two years in new, French oak barrels. This creates a sublime, sippable tequila with flavors of dried fruits, baking spices, charred oak, toasted vanilla beans, caramelized sugar, and cooked, vegetal agave. This tequila is so flavorful, you and your guests will want to sip it neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a cocktail that normally features whiskey.
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Jamaica Edition
When it comes to single malt Scotch whisky, there are few more popular names than The Glenlivet. Recently, this iconic Speyside distillery announced the launch of The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Jamaica Edition. Like the brand’s classic 12-year-old expression, this limited-edition whisky was matured for a minimum of twelve years before being finished in casks that previously held Jamaican rum. This soon-to-be holiday favorite is loaded with flavors like toasted coconuts, caramelized pineapples, butterscotch, and a memorable, mellow finish. This is a great value bottle that’s well-suited for sipping neat or on the rocks, or as the base for a sweet, fruity, tropical Hot Toddy.
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026
Ring in 2026 with Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026. This celebratory seasonal limited release is a small batch blend of whiskeys from around the US, including bourbons from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Wyoming, New York, Ohio, and Maryland. The result is a final mash bill of 74% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, and 1% wheat. The result is a potent, bold 55.15% ABV bourbon filled with flavors including orchard fruits, citrus peels, candied nuts, pumpkin pie, and charred oak. Drink it neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a seasonal cocktail. Your friends and family will be happy to see this on the drinks table.
