If January is all about sobriety and health, then December is surely the antithesis. This is no bad thing of course; it’s a month of excess and living life to the full, from Christmas parties to seemingly enjoying more roast dinners than the rest of the year combined (and don’t even get us started on our mince pie consumption). It only makes sense, then, that spirits have also become such a staple when it comes to Christmas gifting. There’s nothing like receiving a bottle of fancy booze, something to show off on your drinks trolley, or pour out a taster at the end of the festive party. Searching for something to get the booze-hound in your life this Christmas? Look no further than About Time’s spirits guide!

Codigo 1530 Rosa Tequila

The Lowdown: Let’s get things started with the life of the party of the spirit world, Tequila. This isn’t the rocket fuel you’re ordering in the pub when they don’t do Baby Guinness, rather a luxurious and flavoursome experience courtesy of Codigo 1530. Perfected over generations, these guys select fully matured Agave, bringing a smoother taste, while all natural ingredients (no added sugars, colours or flavours) gives everything a remarkable depth of flavour, with a rosy hue and surprising notes of red wine from a 1 year rest in Cabernet barrels straight from Napa Valley. This isn’t one to shot, it’s one to savour, and the stunning bottle makes for a generous gift that will be talked about all Christmas season.

Available at Amazon or The Whisky Exchange (£49.99)

Isle of Rasaay

The Lowdown: Straight out of the Hebrides, Isle of Rasaay is literally everything you want in a scotch whisky; combining heritage with contemporary flavours to create something unique and absolutely perfect for gifting. Every single part of their process is completed on the island where they take their name, from distilling to maturing and bottling – even the water is taken from their very own well. The result is some of the finest Scotch you’re likely to try, lightly peated, with notes of dark fruits that combine with hints of toffee, spice, and a touch of smoke. The best intro to this truly stunning brand is their gift pack, which includes a bottle of their Isle of Raasay Single Malt and two branded Glencairn whisky glasses.

Available at Isle of Rasaay online (£65)

Jameson Triple Triple

The Lowdown: It would be crazy of us not to include one of the big dogs here, let’s be honest. The world’s best-selling Irish Whiskey for a reason, a bottle of Jameson should be in every drinks cabinet, making it the perfect gift this festive season. Whether you take it neat or mix with a fiery ginger ale (our favourite serve), this always delivers. Stepping away from tradition, Jameson’s latest launch, the ‘Triple Triple’ is matured in bourbon, sherry and chestnut casks, giving everything an even smoother flavour with notes of toffee, cocoa and toasted almonds. If that doesn’t scream Christmas, I don’t know what does.

Available at Amazon and Waitrose (£30)

Green Spot

The Lowdown: The ideal gift is one that looks a lot more expensive than it is, and no spirit this year hits that mark quite like Green Spot. Celebrating their centenary this year, they are marking the occasion with a limited edition 10 year old release of its Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Matured for 10 years in a selection of bourbon and sherry casks, and bottled at a satisfying 46% ABV, this whiskey boasts generous layers of orchard fruits, warming spices, and sweet vanilla. What makes it even better is the unique bottle, designed in partnership with craft paint company YesColours, featuring a bespoke green stripe that really sets it off. For any Irish whiskey lover, this is a must-buy at a great price point.

Available at Master of Malt (£73.95)

Hattiers Rum

The Lowdown: Rum maybe doesn’t get the festive plaudits that whiskey gets, but it does make for an ideal Christmas gift, especially sitting at a nicer price point for a more premium offering. Hattiers of Plymouth have only been going for seven years (they’re babies in the spirit world!) but have already made a huge impact, becoming the first British Rum brand to achieve B Corp certification, and are making incredible spirits to boot. Our personal favourite is the Egremont Premium Reserve Rum, which is a medium-bodied blend of four cask-aged rums from the Caribbean and Central America. It’s a perfect accessible rum, gently paired with pure soft spring water from the hills of Dartmoor, which balances the flavours to provide a long and creamy finish. For those who like their flavour profiles fruity and luxurious, but also care about the planet, this is a no-brainer.

Available at Hattiers, Master of Malt, Fortnum & Mason (£44)

Kraken

The Lowdown: Christmas is all about experimenting. Yorkshire pudding wraps instead of sandwiches? Count us in. Prosecco flavoured crisps? Why the hell not. Spiced rum icons Kraken have, of course joined the party with a selection of limited edition flavours including Black Cherry and Vanilla, along with an Arabica Coffee Variation with enough kick to rival a Jagerbomb. Our favourite of the bunch is the Dark Caramel and Cornish Sea Salt, which is indulgent and luxurious without being too sweet, instead bringing delicate toffee notes to balance the undeniable taste of their classic spiced rum, all brought together with an aftertaste that packs a salty kick. If someone you know loves a Kraken and Coke, this gift is bang on.

Available at Amazon (£27)

Bellamie

The Lowdown: We’re all for new traditions at Christmas, especially when it comes to booze, and Bellamie may be onto something big from across the channel. Made in Kent but inspired by France, Bellamie is a new award-winning cherry aperitif, positioning itself as the drink of the season, to winter what an Aperol Spritz is to summer. After tasting, we’re on board; with flavours of raspberry and plum underpinning the cherry, working delightfully on its own but also in legendary cocktails like a Kir Royal or in a spritz. Making a remarkable impact since launching in Autumn 2024, the sky’s the limit for this spirit, and we expect to see it everywhere in Christmases to come. With a bespoke perfume-inspired bottle, it makes for a great gift. But we’re also going to buy one for ourselves (yes, it’s that good).

Available at Amazon, Distillers Direct, Delli (£34)