The holiday is coming. And no matter what it is: birthday, New Year, February 23. Something else is important. On most holidays it is customary to give gifts. And sometimes, choosing a presentation becomes a really serious problem.
It is especially difficult to please a person whom you do not know so well. And here there is a need for a universal solution. Is there such a thing? Certainly there is. As a gift, you can safely use alcohol.
The fact is that alcoholic drinks have long become a universal present that can be presented to virtually any person for any holiday and in any quantity.
Despite the fact that alcohol is a universal solution, it is impossible to give it thoughtlessly. The choice should be taken quite seriously. It is not enough just to give expensive alcohol as a gift. should be adhered to fashion trends and also understand the basics.
What, to whom and when
As you already understood, just giving good alcohol, regardless of some other factors, is wrong.
Here, for example, what elite alcohol choose on ? Of course, good: Martel, Napoleon, Hennessy and so on. Need to make a present to a person of high status? Give some exclusive alcohol.
You can order cognac of many years of aging, poured into a bottle, which was blown by hand. This bottle can be placed in a package that the best have worked on.
Of course, such a gift will cost a lot. That is why it is very important that the person who gets it can appreciate it.
Deciding to present alcohol as a gift to an elegant woman, opt for fine liqueurs such as Vana Tallinn, Sherry Brandy, Amaretto, Baileys and others. The main thing is that it should be dessert or creamy, but not strong.
A young guy will gladly accept a gift of rum (Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Havana Club), brandy, whiskey (Red Label, White Horse, Jack Daniels). And in general, guys, as a rule, prefer to receive unusual alcohol as a gift.
When you need to please a clockwork party girl, choose her champagne or wine. Some girls prefer something hot, like whiskey.
It is better to protect from a high degree, of course, if we are not talking about a man of high status. Older people value tradition and quality. They want a quality product.
Do you want to present good alcohol as a gift to an elderly man? Pick up some elite cognac. An elderly lady, most likely, will be delighted with a present in the form of a bottle of weak wine or the same Riga Balsam.
When you need to present something to an ordinary guy, for example, for his birthday, then you should give preference to a keg of beer. And if you want to please, you should pick up good vodka.
A housewife will gladly take a liquor (Baileys, Sheridans, Malibu), and the owner of his own home bar - an exclusive drink brought from an exotic country.
And, of course, if you plan to please a foreigner with alcohol, it is better to present it as a gift national drink.
Design methods
In addition to knowing what kind of alcohol to give, you should also take care of the design. Here, for example, how to pack alcohol as a gift? Again, if we are talking about some expensive cognac or whiskey, then in most cases it is not necessary to pack it at all.
But the packaging will not spoil a bottle of wine. To do this, you can use special paper or a cover. If the bottle is given to a friend or girlfriend, you can put it in a beautiful striped sock - a very cute decoration for alcohol as a gift. Alternatively, you can use a box for packaging. Here are some options.
As easy as it is to pick up a gift for a woman, it is so difficult to choose something suitable for a man. Almost everyone is convinced of this when they start looking for a present for a relative, friend, lover, colleague or boss. An ideal gift should correspond to the status, preferences, taste, character, and age of the man for whom it is intended. You can't argue with this statement. But here's what exactly best meets the mentioned requirements - this is, as they say, a question with an asterisk. Some people think that there is no better gift for a man than a bottle. good alcohol, others either regard such an idea as something banal, or even consider it bad manners. But how are things in reality: is it possible to give alcohol to men and are there rules or restrictions on choosing a gift “with a degree”?
What types of alcohol are usually given to men
The first rule for choosing alcohol for a gift is that men should be given strong drinks, women - lighter ones (although sometimes you can deviate from this recommendation). But in any case, it should be expensive elite alcohol. But as for the type of drink as a gift, here the choice is quite wide.
National alcoholic drink. This option is always a pleasant surprise from a foreigner or a person who has returned from a trip. But again, one should take into account the fact that it should not be just a national drink, but a premium product, and it is better if it is a gift option in exquisite packaging made from natural materials.
To give or not to give alcohol
Not everyone perceives alcohol as a gift unambiguously positively. Therefore, before giving a man a bottle good cognac or a set of alcoholic drinks, it is better to find out how he relates to this kind of presentation.
Alcohol in a set or in a company with a stylish addition will undoubtedly look more advantageous than one bottle of drink, especially if it is without expensive packaging. By the way, about prices. If we talk about alcohol for a gift, then it should always be an expensive drink. Giving cheap alcohol is a sign of bad taste.
And of course, it is categorically contraindicated to give alcoholic gifts to people who are addicted to alcohol or to former alcoholics. IN best case such a present can embarrass both you and the recipient of the gift, at worst, become a cause of binge drinking.
Alcohol is a non-committal neutral gift. Meanwhile, a correctly chosen variation of an alcoholic drink can become an exquisite gift worthy of the most respected man. The main thing is not to make a mistake and choose the right option as a surprise.
Alcohol is a purely masculine gift. And it does not matter at the same time who to give it to: a respectable man or a party-goer, an elderly person or a young guy. Such a gift will please any man, regardless of age, social status and occupation.
Of course, before such an original gift, it is best to find out the preferences of the person being presented. After all, there is always a small chance that such a present may not be so interpreted by a person, and in some cases even inappropriate. Therefore, it is very important to make it clear to this man that the gift in this case is not alcohol itself, but an expression of your gratitude, sympathy and support to the person being presented.
In this regard, it is necessary not only to buy the “right” alcohol, but also to arrange it presentably, be able to talk about it, try to connect the uniqueness of the gifted alcohol with the status, aspirations, character and dreams of the person for whom such a gift is intended.
And yet, how to understand what kind of alcohol and to whom it is best to give? What to look for in the buying process? The following article offers to consider the top best alcoholic gifts with a "male" character, to find out interesting moments of his history, which will undoubtedly be useful for a congratulatory speech.
Top Popular Alcohol Gifts for Men
The following ranking presents the most popular alcoholic beverages. Each person can add it to their own preferences. But still, the following list will help you figure out which alcoholic drink will be most to your taste and, on the basis of this, make the right and high-quality gift.
Divin - Moldovan brandy
The most interesting gift from this series will be Divin Quint Nistru XO. Nistru in translation from Moldavian means Dniester - it is on the banks of this river that the Moldavian city of Tiraspol is located. There, in 1959, this exclusive delicate divin was created. It is prepared according to a unique recipe, has an amazing softness, harmonious and refined taste, will please even the most sophisticated gourmet. This brandy consists only of high-quality cognac spirits, which are aged in oak barrels for at least eight years, which automatically classifies it as XO - Extra Old. In Russian labeling, it corresponds to the category KVVK - Aged Cognac of the Highest Quality. Divin is used as a digestif, and also perfectly complements light desserts. Such a gift will appeal to a refined man, a connoisseur of refined aristocratic brands of alcohol, a lover of soft and delicate tastes.
Scotch - Scotch whiskey
Scotch whiskey is the perfect gift for strong and active men, adventurers and adventurers. Especially valuable in this category are single malt whiskeys. Such drinks are produced in only one distillery and consist of water and barley malt. This is the main difference between them and blended ones - no other grains take part in the production.
In the manufacture of single malt whiskey, double distillation is usually used, and only a limited number of distilleries are entitled to triple distillation. The ideal age for such a product is eight to twelve years.
The taste and aroma of such a drink is significantly influenced by the region of Scotland where it comes from. For example, in the highlands of the Highlands, such brands as Glendronach, Glenmorangie, Glendoyne and Oban are made.
Island single malt whiskeys entice with their peaty and marine aroma, the characteristic smell of sea salt, algae and iodine. Such a gift will appeal to a true connoisseur of single malt drinks and a connoisseur of scotch.
Some of the most popular island whiskeys are:
- Isle of Jura;
- Scapa;
- highland park;
- Bowmore Legend;
- Laphroaig.
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The hallmark of the Scottish lowlands is triple-distilled single malt whiskey. A bottle of this whiskey will be appreciated by a lover of soft and refined drinks. It is worth noting such brands as: Littlemill, Auchentoshan, Rosebank and Ladyburn.
Vodka Staritsky & Levitsky Reserve
One of the unique author's products comes from Lviv, the history of which goes back over a hundred years. It is produced in an ecologically clean region, rich in spring water enriched with quartz. It is he who gives this vodka an exquisite luxurious taste. This product is prepared exclusively from the best varieties Ukrainian wheat. This is an exclusive drink produced in limited collections and undergoing a control tasting. Staritsky & Levitsky Reserve vodka has a silver medal in the International Wines and Spirits Competition.
Ways to design an alcoholic gift
Not enough to give original bottle elite liquor. Only with the right and extraordinary design, the gift will become truly exclusive. A basket with alcohol looks very advantageous, equipped in addition to alcohol with cigars, a lighter, coffee, olives or a notebook with a pen.
Often expensive collectible varieties of alcohol already have original branded packaging and this may be quite enough. Well, the most striking and memorable will be the gift, during the presentation of which sincere and cordial words are heard, and wishes are uttered from the heart.
Finally
Alcohol is original gift for any man: work colleagues, boss, best friend, loved one. Everyone will appreciate expensive elite alcohol, whether it is an exclusive vintage cognac, high-quality single malt scotch whiskey, or even the original . The main thing in such a matter is to always remember that no matter how bright and unforgettable the holiday is, the main thing is to observe the measure in drinking alcohol, enjoy the rare and luxurious taste of the drink and the exceptional delicate aroma.
How easy it is to make a gift for a woman, and how difficult it is for a man! A man is always looking for subtext in everything, a gift should emphasize his status and taste - just try, make a mistake! It's good that there are professionals in the world - without further ado, we turned to the kavist for advice. They literally took us hand in hand through their possessions - the dark and cool halls of alcoholic boutiques, which store real treasures. It is from these treasures that we (together with you!) will choose.
For those who appreciate strength
When choosing an alcoholic gift for a man, of course, first of all you pay attention to what is stronger. And what can be stronger than cognac 53 degrees? Yes, there are some! Louis Royer Force- the strength of this cognac is reflected in its name (English force - strength). It is believed that with such a high strength, some special aroma appears in the drink, emphasizing the long exposure. A cuvée of Petit Champagne and Grande Champagne spirits of the VSOP category in a metal tube can be purchased for 3,220 rubles.
For those who respect endurance
Someone is attracted by strength, and someone - endurance. On the label of a cognac bottle, the year (millezim) can only be indicated if there is an official confirming document for this. Not all cognac houses have evidence that their cognac was laid in such and such a “shaggy” year. Here Lheraud has it. You can choose cognac or armagnac Lheraud happy birthday man. For example, cognac 1983 will cost 4,600 rubles. Lheraud also has a 1802 vintage (I would like to see its certificates!) for 800,000 rubles. By the way, the House of Lheraud is the official supplier of brandy for the House of Lords in London.
If the cognac house or the merchant cannot provide official papers confirming the year the cognac was aged, then the year is not written on the label. In this case, the cognac is assigned a number. A.E.Dor cognacs are so old that they have already lost the usual strength of 40 degrees for this type of drink. A.E.Dor is the only Maison that has been allowed by the French government to produce cognac below 40%. Cognac A.E.Dor No. 10 (a family treasure of the 1922 harvest) can be purchased for 98,578 rubles.
For those who love surprises
But the cognac house Frapin collected in one cuvee - Frapin Cuvee 1888 Le Prestige du Temps- the most rare spirits that belonged to the Frapin family. Some of them date back to the end of the 19th century. A crystal decanter with a precious drink rests in a wooden chest. A pleasant surprise is attached to the decanter - perfume in a bottle, the shape of which reproduces an old pocket watch with gilding. This miracle costs 220,800 rubles.
For those who honor history
Cognac merchant Jean Groperrand does not grow grapes himself and does not distill spirits, but seeks out and buys the most rare cognacs from private Houses, and then pours them under his own name. The father and son of Groperrana do not spare money for the purchase of rarities. In 1999, they “dug up” cognac in an old private cellar, which had been aged in 1914, but, unfortunately, not all documents confirming the millesime were found. The peculiarity of this cognac is that it was almost certainly distilled by a woman! In 1914 France, only women were in charge of production because all able-bodied men were required to fight in the war. Groperran traced and documented almost the entire history of this cognac, starting from 1918. But I had to put only number 14 on the label, since 1914 was not officially confirmed. The Groperrans bought out the entire batch of this cognac - a barrel of 285 liters, from which 25 bottles are bottled every year. Cognac is called Grosperrine Petite Champagne N°14 Paror and costs 159,900 rubles.
For those who collect collections
Rare cognac will soon appear in Moscow again Courvoisier Erte. It was once sold in collectible sets of seven different cognacs, the design of which was invented in 1988 by the famous French artist of Russian origin Erte (born Roman Tyrtov). Erte worked in the Art Deco style: he was a famous fashion artist, theater costume designer, and sculptor. Cognac House Courvoisier invited Erte to design a series of cognacs from the oldest Grande Champagne cognac spirits, which were stored in his cellar. To date, there are very few carafes of the exclusive Courvoisier Erte series left in the world. This spring, three complete sets (7 bottles each) and several dozen individual decanters will arrive in Russia. Most likely, the brought rarities will be immediately snapped up by collectors. One bottle will cost about 60,000 rubles.
Are you tired of cognacs yet? You can talk about them endlessly. It would be possible to stop at cognacs, but where is the whiskey? - you ask. And you will be right - there are many men who prefer whiskey to cognac. Then imagine that our whiskey lover is a sophisticated connoisseur who cannot slip a blend with a red, black or blue label from the nearest supermarket. The DrinkTime reader loves whiskey and understands whiskey. Our job is to make him happy.
For those who are fond of contemporary art
Let's start with the traditional Scotch whiskey. But! - in a unique design. Who doesn't know The Macallan brand? Everyone knows Macallan. This whiskey belongs to the elite single malt scotch. It is great in itself, but is no stranger to being in the company of equal objects of high art. Last year Macallan distillery released a unique limited edition whiskey "Masters of Photography". John Rankin, a cult British photographer, was invited to collaborate. He was received at the Macallan family estate - Easter Elchies House - and led through all the stages of the sacrament of the birth of whiskey with a "Polaroid" in his hands. As a result, each of the thousand created bottles The Macallan Fine Oak The 30-year-old Masters of Photography collector's edition received a photo label replicating the original Rankin photograph in its case. For true connoisseurs whiskey and contemporary art, two hundred Masters of Photography collection sets were delivered to Russia. The average cost of a set is 55,000 rubles.
For those who appreciate luxury
And here is The Macallan again, but in a luxurious crystal decanter from Laligue. Decanter Natural Color (English - natural color) symbolizes the natural color single malt whiskey. In total, 420 handmade decanters have been created - they are filled with precious 55-year-old The Macallan Sherry Oak, which has been aged in sherry casks since 1949. The whiskey is dark, rosewood color, with notes of sweet exotic dried fruit and woody hints, turning into aromas of spices and orange peel.
When developing the design of the decanter, a classic image from Lalique - "Tiara" was used. The cork is made of amber-colored crystal, close to the shade of whiskey. The color of the decanter cork shatters into thousands of shades when changing the angle of illumination. This luxury costs about 400,000 rubles.
And here is another outstanding example from Scotland - Antiquary 21 years. This is a blend of spirits from the distilleries of the Speyside and Highland regions, complemented by spirits from the Lowlands. The faceted bottle into which the scotch is poured is made in the shape of a diamond. The cost of whiskey in a velvet tube is 5,336 rubles.
For those with a thin nose
Whiskey Bruichladdich Peat- one of the most "peaty" versions of Islay single malt whiskey. The alcohol distillation process for this scotch took place in very tall stills, due to which the whiskey lost its maritime iodine taste familiar to this region and acquired the aroma of peat smoke. A bottle costs 2,450 rubles.
For those who dream...
...Wild West
Let's not forget that great whiskey is not only made in Scotland. Many prefer only American whiskey, or bourbon. We are used to the fact that bourbons are democratic drinks, and most importantly - understandable to everyone. For example, Jim Beam is the most common American whiskey in the world. But he also distinguished himself last year - a limited collection was released at the distillery Jim Beam "The Distillers Series". The bourbon made for this series has been aged for 7 years, which is quite a long time for this type of drink. 7 years is not a random figure - the project is dedicated to seven generations of a dynasty of manufacturers famous drink. The bottle label depicts portraits of the brightest representatives of each generation of the family. Bourbon strength - 45%, the price on the shelf is quite affordable - 1,500 rubles.
But bourbon is different from bourbon. The Americans are not going to lag behind the Scots, and even more so the French in creating rare and luxurious drinks. Bourbon Blanton's Gold Edition considered the first bourbon to introduce the single-barrel version to the world and to open the Ultra Premium Bourbon category. In the production of this whiskey, more than usual, the amount of corn is used - which provides a softer and sweeter taste. And appearance The bottles surpassed all conceivable examples of expensive French cognacs: the decanter is crowned with a cork in the shape of a horse in motion. If you put the entire line of Blanton's Gold Edition bourbons in a row, then the entire movement of the horse will be displayed, as in the frames of an animated film. The cost of bourbon is 3,358 rubles.
... and the Land of the Rising Sun
Whiskey is also made in Japan. 12 year old blend Suntory Royal it is unique in that it is filtered through bamboo charcoal, which, you see, would be impossible in Scotland. Yes, and it is not necessary. And bamboo charcoal gives whiskey a rich and incomparable taste that can only be found in Japanese versions of this drink. The bottle is also unusual - it imitates the outlines of a Shinto shrine. Suntory Royal can be purchased in Moscow for 2,070 rubles.
For those who like it hot
What else can you give a strong man? - Not as traditional a gift as cognac or whiskey, but no less tasty and chic - grappa! For example, grappa Nonino La Reserva dei Cent Anni, which is produced by a family farm in the north of Italy in the village of Percoto, is unique in that it has been aged for 12 years in Limousin oak barrels. As a result, there appeared strong drink, perfect for a digestif and as an accompaniment to cigars: in its complex aroma, notes of spices, saffron, cinnamon, curry, nutmeg, dried fruits and almonds are felt. Grappa Nonino costs 8,400 rubles.
But a completely different type of strong drink - Calvados Selection by Christian Drouin. Calvados, revered by gourmets as one of the most exquisite digestifs, is obtained as a result of the fermentation process of apple or pear juice followed by double distillation and long aging in oak barrels. More than 40 varieties of apples and pears are allowed, divided into four groups: sweet, bitter, bittersweet and sour. The finest taste and bouquet of Calvados are due to the interaction of wood, air and alcohol. Calvados Selection spent 2 years in barrel. Its price is 1,472 rubles.
We can't help but draw your attention to the Spanish sherry brandy Brandy de Jerez Lepanto. It can rightly be called the drink of the winners, since it got its name in honor of a landmark event in the history of Spain - the victory of the Royal Navy of Spain over the fleet of the Ottoman Empire in a naval battle that took place in 1547 in western Greece near the town of Lepanto. This brandy de sherry is classified as a Gran Reserva Solera. The Solera Lepanto was laid down in 1896. The future brandy de sherry undergoes at least 15 criaderas during its aging. The result is a completely unique brandy with its own unique character and elegant style. The cost of a bottle is 3,200 rubles.
For those who are smarter than everyone
This could be the end of our review of possible alcoholic gifts for men. And so there are already enough options - choose for every taste. But still, we cannot ignore two more categories of alcoholic beverages, each of which has its own audience, its fans. One of these categories is wine. True, it’s scary to give wine - what if you make a mistake in the preferences of the one to whom the gift is addressed? Or, even worse, suddenly the wine is spoiled? This happens quite often, and not only because of improper storage and transportation, but also because of the so-called cork disease, from which no one is immune.
Therefore, we advise you to give wines that have been tested, but not old. In any case, incidents like cork disease are less common with young wines. This time we have an excellent offer - at the beginning of the year, Bordeaux Grand Cru Classe 2005 appeared in Moscow, which experts have already called great. In the spring of 2006, for the first time, some Russian wine merchants began to seriously buy En premier wines - that is, young wines that had just been fermented and aged in barrels.
We went to France, chose for a long time, then bargained. Bought and ... left to ripen on the spot. Three years have passed, the wines bought in 2006 were bottled and delivered to Russia. The price for them is very high, but it is negligible compared to what the chateaus themselves will ask for the wines of the 2005 millesime.
So, the following 2005 Grand Cru wines are already available in Moscow:
Chateau Mouton Rothshield - 125 220 rubles.
Chateau Haut-Brion - 172,970 rubles.
Chateux Margaux - 199 100 rubles.
Chateau Latour - RUB 206,980
For those who celebrate February 23 and not only
But there is another category of men for whom the gift as such is not important, but the occasion itself is important. A reason to get together with family, friends or fellow soldiers (there are some). Then vodka will be more appropriate on the table than others. Last year, domestic manufacturers released several new interesting brands, which we will talk about. So, the most patriotic brand - vodka "Aurora". "Aurora" from 100% wheat alcohol is produced in St. Petersburg at the "Russian Standard" plant. More than 90 years ago, the famous shot of the Aurora cruiser was fired in this city, which became a symbol of the revolution. Manufacturers claim the revolutionary quality of their product, which "exceeds the requirements of GOST by 3 times". The symbol of revolution and victory in a laconic transparent bottle with a star can be purchased for only 160 rubles.
And here is another symbol of the country - Party Gold. Vodka with such a name cannot be democratic - it was conceived as a luxury product and produced near the same St. Petersburg at the Tigoda plant. Not only is the bottle made of red glass with gold plating unique, but also its contents - manufacturers added tinctures of aromatic spirits from oregano, mint, St. John's wort, bison and birch buds to grain alcohol. The owners of the Gold Party brand claim that “the vodka recipe was developed by one of the best specialists in Russia, I.I. Burachevsky - head of the department of technology of alcoholic beverages of the All-Russian Research Institute of Food Technologies. Perhaps this best recommendation for a drink. Vodka from Burachevsky will cost 1,500 rubles.
By tradition, we cannot fail to mention the most famous vodka producer in Russia - Mark Kaufman and his new brand - 
vodka "Jewish standard". Who can give this vodka? - Yes, anyone, if he has a sense of humor. By the way, the producers are proud that this is a real kosher vodka on matzo. It has a complex grain aroma with hints of pepper and ripe fruit. Price - 549 rubles.
For those who have read this article to the end
For the most persistent and curious, we will give recommendations on what to buy if all of the above did not suit you. You never know, well, you don’t know what the man you want to congratulate prefers. It may very well be. Then we advise you to purchase a chic set of two Riedel glasses. The convenience of this set is that there is a place for a bottle in the box. It must be purchased separately, or you can not buy at all. There is different types glasses: for chardonnay (that is, for white wines), for bordeaux (that is, for reds), for champagne. The cost of the set is 2,260 rubles.
Or else here - Decanter Riedel, a model called "Tirol" (we already wrote about it on the pages of DrinkTime). unusual shape The vessel (it seems to lie on its side) provides a very large area of contact between wine and air, for which, in fact, it is used. In addition, Tyrol will perfectly fit into any fashionable interior - be it classic, modern or hi-tech. The decanter costs 6,510 rubles.
A corkscrew will never be superfluous. Especially if it's handmade. Very nice gift corkscrew knife Laquiole has a unique handle - it can be made of bone, horn or noble woods. For example, a brushed steel corkscrew with a juniper handle can be purchased for 6,150 rubles*. Stylish, expensive, chic.
The drinks mentioned in the article are sold in Veld-21, Vinoteka.ru, Vinum, Grand Cru, Wine Collection, Kauffman boutiques, Azbuka Vkusa supermarkets, etc.
