SHARP Drink Guide: Say Cheers to the Snowy Season

Sharp Staff December 18, 2024

There’s more than one way to raise a glass to the festive season — great news for the bon vivants and drinks aficionados among us. From fine wine to cocktails, these gifts offer something special for all the grown-ups on your list. Toast to the spirit of the season alongside those on your ‘Nice’ list: after all, the holidays are all about indulging in the finer things in life. Cheers!

Swans Bar Assouline Book 

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The doors of Maison Assouline’s first flagship store have been open for ten years, with swathes of revellers making a pilgrimage through the 102 year old Grade II listed building to prop up at the intimate Swans Bar. Written by award-winning drinks writer Millie Milliken, the bright red, gold-embossed Swans Bar handbound hardcover makes the perfect gift for all cocktail loving bibliophiles. Showcasing celebrated sips from behind the bar’s iconic stick, readers can indulge in expertly crafted recipes by talented mixologists, replicating their favourite concoctions at home. ($45)

Jefferson’s Bourbon

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Subtly sweet, simple yet substantial, oh so smooth, and always consistent, Jefferson’s Bourbon is an easy-drinking whiskey for all occasions. Artisanally blended from a magic mix of Kentucky straight bourbons with a variety of ages, and mash bills Jefferson’s is bottled at 82.3 proof, making it excellent straight up, on the rocks or in a cocktail. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for the brown spirits lovers in your life, and makes for an excellent choice of bottle to carry in hand to the harth of any fire-side celebrations. ($55)

Fettercairn 200th Collection

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Celebrating two centuries of delicious innovation, Fettercairn is delighted to present its 200th Collection; a compendium of six landmark whiskies released throughout the Highland Single Malt Distillery’s history. With rare expressions spanning 60 to just three years of age, each luxury bottle tells a significant story in the Fettercairn journey of forging the future of sustainable Scotch. Presenter in a handcrafted, bespoke cabinets of Scottish Oak, copper and brass — three materials vital to the Fettercairn story — just 10 sets have been released globally, with just one available in Canada. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to gift a whisky aficionado a piece of living history. ($160,000)

Dillon’s Cranberry Gin

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What better way to celebrate the season than with the rich taste of cranberries, freshly picked in Bala, Ontario? Canadian small batch distillers, Dillon’s, have mastered the art of handcrafted distillation and flavour infusion, serving up this lightly sweetened blend of winter spices, cranberries and their stellar Dry Gin 7. Perfect as a host-gift, or for budding home bartenders looking for the perfect spirit to provide a flavour-packed base to their holiday cocktails. ($50)

Glenfiddich Time Series 30

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Gift a rare moment in time with this exquisite bottle from the masterful Glenfiddich Time Series. After decades of patient maturation, the 30-year-old unlocks deep woodsy flavours intertwined with Scottish flora. Presented in design-led, artistic packaging, the silhouette reflects moving ribbons, suggesting the nature of movement surrounding the spirit; time may change, but this bottle presents a perfect snapshot of history. ($2,600)

Patrón El Alto

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Not just a luxury tequila, but a conversation piece too. Patrón El Alto’s blue hued hand-blown glass decanter is a subtle nod to the 100% Weber Blue Agave plant, grown in the highest parts of the Atotonilco El Alto region of Jalisco. Ground with an ancient volcanic stone and slow baked for days in a clay oven before being distilled into the premium spirit, the flawless cultivation of agave is the backbone of each bottle of Patrõn — especially El Alto, which is a blend of extra añejo, añejo ,and reposado tequilas. Bold, sweet and a mark of innovation, this striking bottle would serve as a jewel in the crown of any tequila collection. ($320)

Barrel Hunter Club Membership

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Looking for something precious and unique for the social butterfly in your life? What could be better than the gift of experience? Filling a long standing gap in the industry, membership to the prestigious Barrel Hunter Club includes access to a community of like-minded epicureans and exclusive, expert-led tastings in an intimate setting. Plus, there’s unique, quarterly wine and spirits collections, VIP winery tours, access to premium and rare products with white glove delivery service for purchases, masterclass tastings (at home or in-office), and a bountiful premium welcome kit.

Membership options range between $169 per month ($1,825 per year) to $839 per month ($9,059 per year).

Seña 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

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Showcasing the pinnacle of Chilean terroir and winemaking prowess, the 2021 vintage marks an exceptional year, with the ideal conditions to produce such a vibrant and aromatically complex wine. Modelled on a Bordeaux style of red, this blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, carmenere and petit verdot creates juicy tension with plenty of aging potential, making it the ideal gift for friends with cellars (our favourite kind). Celebrated for its souring potential, the Seña 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon also serves as a wonderful food wine, for those looking for a masterful sip to pour aside a bold winter’s feast. ($210)

Nude Round Up Set of 2 Red Wine Glasses

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An excellent bottle of wine is best enjoyed in stemware befitting of the occasion. There is nothing like the pinch of fine glass between one’s fingertips and the impression imparted by a thoughtful rim upon the lips as you savour a fine sip. Nude prides itself on an artisanal approach to glassware, specializing in handmade, blown crystal. The Nude Round Up Collection features a distinct round bottom and tapered rim. Designed to be eye-catching, the glasses also nurture the flavours and aromas of your favourite vintage. ($136)

For further inspiration, here’s a look at last year’s selections…

For those on your gifting list who enjoy the odd drink, the world’s greatest distillers and vintners have just the bottles to toast the season. From exclusive vintage champagnes to an ingenious app for cataloguing your cellar, there’s something here for every taste.

The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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With more awards under its belt than any other expression, this whisky was made for special occasions. It’s a smooth, golden-apricot flavour to match the warm glow inside the bottle. A long and rich fruit-laced finish makes it a wonderful pairing for holiday novelties like foie gras and toffee desserts. ($215)

Tom Dixon Green “Bump” Jug

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Tom Dixon’s soft green jug makes a light and whimsical accent to your holiday parties. The smoked glass neck recalls winter’s frosted windows while the smooth, art deco-inspired handle puts a unique spin on holiday drinks. ($170 at SSENSE)

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series: The Sherry Edition

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Why settle for one exquisitely rare scotch when you can have three? That’s what’s on offer with the inaugural release of The Dalmore’s Cask Curation Series, which celebrates the Highland distillery’s partnership with Jerez de la Frontera’s fifth-generation winemakers, González Byass. Comprising a trio of unique whiskies matured in sherry casks and ranging in age from 26 to 43 years old, only 150 sets have been made — with each presented in a handcrafted Italian leather case. ($70,000)

Hennessy X.O x Kim Jones Limited Edition Cognac

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Kim Jones’ eye for design doesn’t stop at the fashion world; the wrapped, bronzy carafe echoes the flow of couture fabric. The cognac itself takes a well-rounded approach to all seven notes, offering a deep taste to please the palette. ($428)

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015 Brut Champagne

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These sunlight coloured bubbles bring warm, golden-hour rays to the darkest time of the year. Pear and light citrus notes meet a flowery aftertaste with hints of jasmine. It elevates the natural ease of farm-to-table cuisine to a new level of luxury. ($304)

Invintory Wine Cellar Tracking App

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The holidays are a beautiful reprieve from the busy days of the work week: you deserve to carry a slice of calm through 2024. InVintory was founded on the premise that wine isn’t just about the bottle — it’s about the experience. That’s why they crafted a service to keep track of even the most well-stocked cellars — log your favourite bottles of bubbly, merlot and more. The entry-level Aspire tier is a low-risk way to dip your toes into wine collecting, while premium tiers offer even more benefits.