Bill BakhoSpring is the perfect season to enjoy delicious, refreshing cocktails with premium spirits. Whether you’re a fan of smooth and crisp vodka, or prefer the bold and distinctive taste of tequila, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to wine and spirits. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, looking for a gift for a friend or loved one, just want to treat yourself to something special or just looking for a way to unwind after a long day, the right drink can make all the difference. In this gift guide, I choose some of the best vodka, tequila, wine, spirit options, and great bar accessories for a beginner mixologist to elevate your springtime sipping experience. I also added a few great non-alcoholic options for the teetotalers. So, grab a glass, sit back, and let me guide you into the world of wine and spirits for spring.
Cheers to a beautiful spring everyone!
AsomBroso Fine Tequilas
AsomBroso tequila undergoes a unique 9 month aging process, that starts with the barrel staves being coated with the sweetness of cooked agave that has been caramelized into the wood of our “11 Year-Vintage” barrels. Using estate-grown piñas the tequila is then added to the barrels, which are gently rolled to enhance the natural oak and agave flavors. After resting for 9 months, the result is reposado tequila, Eros: a sweet, flavorful spirit with a light amber hue, ideal for sipping.
Golden Eagle Vodka
Golden Eagle is an American-made luxury that exudes heritage, tradition, and craftsmanship and promotes a spirited and charismatic lifestyle. Golden Eagle Vodka is distilled one perfect time from red wheat and Yellowstone spring water. With its velvety texture and world-class taste, it irrefutably challenges traditional expectations of vodka. Golden Eagle Vodka has an elevated standard of excellence and is distilled to inspire.
SOTO SAKE
SOTO is a premium Japanese Sake brand, created using naturally superior ingredients: locally sourced, premium rice and pure, soft water, originating from the Niigata Prefecture in northern Japan. SOTO has launched two types of sake. Junmai Daiginjo, the most premium type of sake and a Junmai. Both are all natural, gluten free, and have no additives, no preservatives, no added sugar, and no sulfites. Perfect for all holiday gatherings, SOTO is made from nature with only four ingredients: water, rice, koji (mold), and yeast. Truly made from nature!
Knucklenoggin Whiskey
Knucklenoggin Whiskey is made from a blend of the finest aged American whiskeys, carefully selected by Master Blenders and infused with the sweet taste of rich creamy caramel – imparting creamy smooth notes that perfectly complements Knucklenoggin stunningly bold whiskey.
Elevated Craft
The innovative new Elevated Craft 750ml Cocktail Shaker is designed to make the perfect craft cocktails at home. Engineered to perform and guaranteed to elevate your cocktail experience, the new Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker leaves no sticky hands, no frozen fingers, and no stuck lids. This is the last shaker you will ever buy and it’s backed by a lifetime warranty. The Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker is constructed of pro-grade brushed 18/8 stainless steel and is dishwasher safe.
Sandovales Tequila
Sandovales’ reposado tequila’s unique flavor profile is achieved by not aging it for more than a year, and utilizing barrels that impart a subtle woody note to its body and taste. The resulting taste features light agave undertones, complemented by the rich sweetness of butterscotch and vanilla. Made exclusively from 100% blue agave, this tequila is a must-try for any spirits connoisseur.
Olive St Leather
Olive Street Leather is a home-grown brand founded in 2020 and located in Orange County, California by Executive Chef John English and his wife Jane English. Their designs are inspired by our love of food, wine, and travel. Each piece is handcrafted in our home studio with lots of love and care. Their products are designed with the intention of being a functional accessory, and our wine bags are perfect for toting wine across town or around the world. They hand-select each piece of leather used in our products and source our materials locally in the U.S.A.
Designer Dram
Designer Dram — the world’s first luxury online distillery, you can create a one-of-a-kind bottle of whiskey for your gift recipients’ unique palate. A high-end gifting experience from start to finish, Designer Dram allows you to craft and design every element of your custom bottle of whiskey — from the barrel selection to the alcohol strength to the personalized, custom bottle label — all online. Designer Dram offers a world of possibilities regarding whiskey creation, providing you with the opportunity to create 21,000 possible whiskeys with 29 label designs. Not sure of your recipient’s preferred whiskey flavor profile? The Designer Dram team can assist you in creating the perfect whiskey or can choose something on your behalf. Or, purchase a gift card, so you can gift the experience of creating a whiskey online for your gift recipient! Your whiskey creation is executed by master distillers and a design team who will create your custom label — nothing is automated. Your custom whiskey arrives beautifully packaged in a stunning 750 ML glass decanter made in Italy–a keepsake that can be reused. A personalized note card is also included. Perfect for family, friends, and corporate gifts.
Kloveo
If you’ve been waiting for a rainy day to pop a bottle – this is a must-have! Kloveo allows you to lay the bottle on its side in your fridge, meaning You no longer have to worry about your Champagne leaking, or worse: exploding all over the inside of your fridge. Chrome-plated stainless-steel body and hinge construction make this the most durable sparkling wine stopper on the market.
Mingle Mocktails
Mingle Mocktails are inspired by popular cocktails like the Cosmo, the Moscow Mule and the Mojito – and they have everything their counterparts do, minus the booze and calories. They come in bottles or cans and have five carefully crafted blends to choose from: the original Cranberry Cosmo, Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Cucumber Melon Mojito, Moscow Mule and the newest – Blood Orange Elderflower. All are handcrafted using only natural and organic ingredients including real fruit juices, organic cane sugar and botanical blends. In addition, they are gluten-free, vegan, non-GMP and Kosher, and contain only 20 calories per four-ounce serving.
Santo Mezquila
Santo Mezquila, the world’s first and only blend of tequila and mescal, combines the smooth, subtle flavors of agave with unique smokiness, bringing forth a taste revelation. The palate explodes with mouth-filling richness nestled in a light, smoky-sweet finish.
Bartesian Cocktail Machine
Bartesian is the intelligent at-home cocktail machine that makes lounge-quality drinks with just the push of a button (think Nespresso for cocktails). Making perfectly mixed mai-tais, old fashioned, espresso martinis and over 40 other premium cocktails at home is easy with Bartesian. Simply stock the machine with any of your favorite brands of Vodka, Whiskey, Gin, Rum and Tequila, drop in the completely recyclable capsule, select your drink strength and Bartesian does the rest.
Meeker Wine
The Meeker Vineyard was founded by entertainment industry veterans Charlie and Molly Meeker, who first purchased a piece of land in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County in 1977. Planting it to Zinfandel, among other varieties, their first wine was made in 1983 and a winery built a year later. Originally a home winemaker, Charlie devoted himself to making old-world wines that would age while also experimenting with different techniques and varieties. The Meekers soon cultivated a loyal following and a 40-foot teepee was set up next to the winery to accommodate visitors for tasting.
Poppi
Poppi is the better-for-you prebiotic soda infused with apple cider vinegar designed to keep your gut in check. Available in a variety of refreshing fruit and classic flavors (Classic Cola, Doc Pop, Root Beer, Strawberry Lemon, Watermelon, and more). Every can is made with 1 tablespoon of ACV and is formulated with 2g of prebiotic dietary fiber, real fruit juice and natural sweeteners and contains less than 20 calories and under 5g of sugar.
Storied Goods
Sugar Cubes, made with pure cane sugar and organic Rose Petals, for Champagne Cocktails, sparkling mocktails, and tea. Packaged in artfully-designed, sustainable tins, SG gourmet Sugar Cubes make the perfect gift for any occasion to celebrate a storied moment in time.
Chopin Vodka
The world’s first rested, super-premium young potato vodka. Naturally gluten-free, Family Reserve features a special variety of young potato that was planted during the 2016 growing season in the rich, dark soil of the estate fields surrounding the distillery. The potatoes were harvested when they were still young, producing a sweeter-tasting profile with delicate earthy notes. The spirit was then left undisturbed in fifty-year-old Polish oak barrels for two years to allow time for it to rest and mellow before being bottled, by hand. All the potatoes used in Family Reserve are naturally-grown without chemicals or pesticides on the Chopin distillery estate grounds.
CK Mondavi
Delicious. Approachable. Easy to love. Based in the Napa Valley for 75 years, CK Mondavi and Family wines are produced by the iconic C. Mondavi & Family with an uncompromising commitment to quality. Delivering wines that offer exceptional value, they focus on sustainable farming techniques and winemaking practices that are typical of far more expensive selections. The family-owned and operated winery sources all of its grapes from California, including the family’s 1,850 acres of estate vineyards, along with growers who have partnered with the family for generations. CK Mondavi and Family wines are the first and only to be 100% “Made in USA Certified®,” and are trusted to be consistently reliable from year to year.
Ravella Tequila
Ravella is a small-batch luxury tequila launched in December 2022. It is an exclusive collection made of 100% blue weber agave patiently aged for 7 to 10 years, cooked in traditional brick ovens at the source in Jalisco, Mexico. Ravella is currently offering a rich Extra Añejo sipping tequila.
Kally
Kally is a non-alcoholic collection of beverages on a mission to open drinking culture to all, they offers the complexity and sophistication of an adult beverage, minus the alcohol. Made from only real, organic food ingredients, each bottle is composed of layers of sophistication similar to that of a wine or cocktail. An innovative blend of teas, fruits, herbs and spices, it features an acidity similar to most alcoholic drinks, so pairs well with food. Kally also activates a full sensory experience – flavor, aroma, sight all of which is unique when compared to other non-alcoholic options on the market.
Hirsch Whiskeys
The first-ever single barrel offering, HIRSCH, The Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Whiskey Release debuted in honor of Bourbon Heritage Month 2021. A limited batch of just 57 aged single barrels of Bourbon, this release is a testament to our ongoing journey to curate the best in American whiskey and set new standards of excellence in the category.
Terre et Sang
Terre et Sang was established in 2019 with a singular desire to create wines that are compelling and delicious expressions of site, sourcing from some of the great vineyards of Santa Barbara County. Mother and son founders, Dalita and Duncan Harmon, bring penetrating curiosity and scrupulous attention to detail to every one of their hand-crafted Syrah and Grenache blends. Working in tandem with the viticulturists and stewards of each storied site, they take meticulous care throughout the growing season to produce fruit that balances intensity and silkiness.
– 2020 Kissing Vipers, Santa Maria Valley, Bien Nacido, 95% Grenache, 5% Syrah
– 2020 The Patriarch, Ballard Canyon, Larner Vineyard, 100% Syrah
Nikka Single Malt Yoichi
This limited edition of Yoichi single malt was introduced in 2021 as the first of the “Nikka Discovery” series. In anticipation of Nikka Whisky’s 90th Anniversary, the series offers an inside look at the various experiments in the whisky-making process that Nikka has practiced over the years. This expression is comprised solely of unpeated malts as opposed to the preconceived “peaty” image of Yoichi. It offers a delicate balance of bright fruitiness and rich mouthfeel, along with its distinctive smokiness generated by coal-fired distillation.
Oax Original Mezcal
OAX Original® introduced their first line of wild, single-origin foraged agave mezcales to the premium spirits market, turning heads with their unprecedented bottle design. Rooted in art and storytelling, OAX Original’s three limited-edition expressions (Arroqueño, Tobalá, and Tepeztate) aimed to capture the beauty and perfection of this highly sought-after artisanal spirit in three striking matte bottles designed by New York-based studio Bardo Industries, to echo Mexico’s architecture, history and culture.
Tepeztate: 100% Agave (A. marmorata).
Maturity: ~25 years old (pink bottle)
Tasting/Nose: This is a mezcal of pristine and dense body, with intense aromas that develop into smoke, wet soil, and citrus blossom’s notes. These flavors result from the plant’s 25-year life cycle. There is a warm and refreshing lasting sensation in the mouth after drinking it.
The Irishman Single Malt Whiskey
This Irishman Single Malt is one of the premier Irish triple-distilled single malts on the market. This is a classic Irish Malt, triple distilled and aged in Oak Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks to give exceptional flavor and complexity. Each batch is limited to a maximum of 6,000 bottles to ensure the highest quality. The Irishman Single Malt boasts an impressive medal haul both in Europe and the USA for its outstanding quality. None more so than being crowned, not only Irish Whiskey of the Year, but also Overall Spirit of the Year, at the London Spirits Competition. It has also taken home a Double Gold Medal at “The World Spirits Competition” in San Francisco and its Gold Medal in ISW Germany. Each bottle carries a batch number and signature as a mark of the highest quality.
Tank Garage Winery
Love Saves – Skin-Fermented White Wine – Orange Wine
Super soft, mellow, dry, and packs a fruit punch. Reminiscent of biting into a fruit gusher, you’re in for a tropical fruit explosion of pineapples and mangos intermingled with floral notes of white grapefruit blossoms and chrysanthemum tea.
Softcore – Carbonic Red Wine – Chillable Red
A red wine blend made via carbonic maceration — while traditional maceration involves mechanical pressing, carbonic maceration is more delicate and natural. With a medium body in the glass, white pepper and celery salt intermingle with ripe cherry aromas.
La Loba – Carbonic White Wine – Carbonic Maceration
A Tank Cares wine raising funds for UN Women, Fòs Feminista and Center for Reproductive Rights. Carbonic white wines offer an amazing array of aromas, textures and flavors that you just won’t find anywhere else.
Mirror Play – Rosé
A blend of 36% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 30% Cinsault, Mirror Play is a sensual and mesmerizing rosé that shimmers and allures as you swirl before taking it in.
Bloom! Bloom! – Limited Release Grenache
Ancestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Pét-Nat Barbera– Neon Pink Pét Nat
A Pét Nat made with Barbera — this Italian grape is iconic for its juicy fruit flavors and mouth-watering acidity.
Paula Kornell
A fourth-generation sparkling wine producer, Paula Kornell is reviving her father’s pioneering commitment to the Napa Valley as founder of Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars. Originally from Germany, and a Holocaust survivor, third-generation winemaker Hanns Kornell was an early advocate of making Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines in the Napa Valley. To him, and to Paula, California, especially the Napa Valley, has long been the land of plenty.
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