When it comes to sourcing gifts and generally orchestrating Christmas, us Janes tend to have things locked down pretty well. Still, with endless lists floating around at this time of year, a bit of extra inspiration never hurts. That's why we've tapped into the wisdom of our sister site, Average Joes, who have compiled some cracking present ideas aimed at our other halves this festive season!
Over the coming fortnight, five separate gift guides will be landing to help you tick off everyone on your list. For today, though, David from Joes is on hand to walk us through what his fellow Joes are really craving under the tree come Christmas morning – nothing fancy, just a decent bottle of something strong!
Let's be honest – despite the occasional protests to the contrary, Joes are a fairly straightforward bunch to buy for. Honestly, you can't really go wrong with a bottle of something alcoholic. Lagers, scotches, gins, rums – the label matters far less than the contents, as long as it comes in a bottle. If you're after something a notch above the usual off-licence fare, here's a round-up of bottled goods the Joes team are currently raving about – any of which would slot in brilliantly as a Christmas surprise for your boyfriend…
The Booze Guide Your Boyfriend Is Hoping You Pick Up This Christmas
Brooklyn Sorachi Ace Saison Beer
It's hardly a revelation that beer is a solid starting point for present ideas. And Christmas itself provides the perfect excuse to branch out and try something with a bit more kick. Enter the Brooklyn Sorachi Ace – a textbook saison bursting with a beautifully crisp malt backbone, with that distinctive Sorachi Ace hop taking pride of place throughout. The peppery aromatics paired with a generous 7.2% ABV make this a cracker of a choice for the festive period, particularly if your Joe isn't one for cracking open a bottle of red. Pop over to the Brooklyn Brewery site to get the full lowdown.
Rock Rose Gin
Round these parts, Christmas Eve simply doesn't feel right unless you're passed out on the couch midway through Die Hard with a generously poured G&T in hand. So if your boyfriend follows a similar routine, we reckon Rock Rose Gin from the Highland's very own Dunnet Bay Distillers will hit the mark. This distinctly northern pour showcases an intriguing botanical lineup – Rhodiola Rosea foraged locally, alongside Rowan Berries, Sea Buckthorn, Blaeberries, Verbena, Coriander Seed and Cardamom, finished off with juniper sourced from Italy and Bulgaria. Grab a bottle from the Master of Malt site for £33.95.
8O8 Whisky
Teaming up with celebrated craft distiller Jonathan Driver, the folks at 8O8 set out to craft a grain whisky versatile enough to sip neat yet equally at home as the star of a cocktail – a true festive showstopper, in other words. The result is a maize-driven spirit that breaks from convention, steering away from the typical barley-heavy profile and delivering something altogether lighter, more delicate and noticeably silkier on the palate. Priced at £32 over on the 8O8 website.
Guinness Limited Edition Cans
Few things get the Joes team buzzing quite like a freshly poured Guinness. While a humble four-pack of the classic stuff is a treat in itself, earlier this month the brand rolled out a striking collection of John Gilroy tribute cans to mark 120 years since the legendary British illustrator's birth. Gilroy was the creative mind behind some of Guinness' most memorable advertising, his unmistakable work gracing campaigns across a four-decade career and earning him a reputation for bold, witty artwork. These collector's editions showcase two of his most celebrated illustrations – the swooping toucan and the famous lobster. Prices start from £5 for a four-pack, going up to £15 for a fifteen-pack.
Cockburn's Special Reserve Port
Port has long been a fixture of our Christmas rituals. A glass of the rich red stuff alongside a cheese board is, in our humble opinion, the definitive way to wrap up a festive feast. So treat your boyfriend to the best of the bunch with Cockburn's Special Reserve. Originally crafted back in 1969, Cockburn's vintners have remained faithful to the original blueprint, hand-picking only the most concentrated, immaculate grapes from their prized Quinta dos Canais estate. Grab a bottle from Waitrose for the steal-of-a-deal price of £12.29.
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
For the Joe with a passion for Bourbon, the Kentucky-based Four Roses outfit is consistently producing some of the finest bottles Stateside. For their Small Batch release, their Master Distiller has carefully curated four of their signature limited Bourbon recipes, blending them into an exceptionally smooth, impeccably balanced bourbon. Expect warming, spiced notes layered with sweet, fruity aromas and subtle suggestions of oak and caramel sweetness. Available to purchase from the Marks & Spencer website at £27 a pop.
Courvoisier V.S.O.P. Cognac
If marking the occasion in true festive style is the order of the day, you really can't do much better than a quality cognac – and Courvoisier is a name that needs little introduction. Tracing its roots back to 1835, Courvoisier's meticulously produced V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) cognac brings together crus from across the spectrum, striking a flawless equilibrium between Fins Bois, Grande and Petite Champagnes at the height of their aromatic expression. Currently listed on the Tesco website (without the branded glassware) for the wallet-friendly price of £25.
Blue Bottle Dry Gin
If ever a spirit embodied the very essence of boutique distilling, Blue Bottle is it. Every batch is painstakingly produced in the copper still housed at Three Fingers Distillery over on Guernsey, featuring a truly distinctive botanical blend. Classic juniper makes an appearance but takes a back seat, allowing the exotic, sun-kissed fragrance of locally foraged gorse flowers to shine through. Priced at £40 through Drinks21.
St Peter's Brewery Christmas Gift Set
Festive-themed craft beer collections always make fantastic seasonal presents, and St Peter's – a brewery practically on the doorstep of our HQ – is one we hold particularly dear. Their Christmas Gift Set comes packed with: 1 x 500ml bottle of The Merry Elf, 1 x Christmas Ale, plus 1 x branded Pint Glass. The Merry Elf pours as a dark, fruit-forward ale with a satisfyingly resinous finish, drawing its spicy character from the cascade and Boadicea hops, while the Christmas Ale opens with inviting wafts of toffee and caramel, unfolding into lush, velvety flavours of festive fruits and warming spices. Pop along to the St Peter's Brewery website where the Christmas Gift Set will only set you back £8.50.
And there you have it – hopefully this little lot has given you a steer! Keep your eyes peeled for the rest of our gift guides dropping soon, including:
Christmas Gifts for Girls
What to buy your girlfriend for Christmas: High Street BeautyWhat to buy your girlfriend for Christmas: Tech StarsWhat to buy your girlfriend for Christmas: Around the HomeWhat to buy your girlfriend for Christmas: Stocking FillersWhat to buy your girlfriend for Christmas: Booze and Chocolate
Christmas Gifts for Guys
What to buy your boyfriend for Christmas: BoozeWhat to buy your boyfriend for Christmas: DIY and GardenWhat to buy your boyfriend for Christmas: In The KitchenWhat to buy your boyfriend for Christmas: Stocking FillersWhat to buy your boyfriend for Christmas: Style and Grooming
