Searching for the ideal gift can be a difficult task, which is why some people want to know whether a bottle of bourbon would be a good idea. The short answer is a resounding yes, but if that doesn’t convince you, here are eight reasons why bourbon makes a great gift.
1. It Comes in A Variety of Flavors and Styles
The first reason why bourbon makes a great gift is because it comes in a wide variety of flavors and styles.
Some of the most common flavors are:
- Vanilla
- Oak
- Nuts
- Apple
- Pear
- Citrus
- Brown sugar
- Caramel
- Maple syrup
- Chocolate
- Toffee
- Smoke
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Clove
- Black pepper
To name just a few. And some of the common types of bourbon are:
- Standard – which is made from at least 51% corn giving it a sugary sweetness.
- High Rye – meaning a mash bill with more rye than usual which gives the bourbon a spicier bite.
- High Wheat – meaning a mash bill with more wheat than usual which gives the bourbon a sweeter and softer flavor.
- Full-Bodied – meaning it has several if not dozens of dominant flavors.
- Light-Bodied – meaning it has one or two dominant flavors.
- Spicy
- Fruity
- Smooth
With so much variety you’ll easily be able to find a bourbon with the flavors and styles that you know the person receiving your gift will like. And to give you somewhere to start, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular bourbons along with their flavors and styles, so you already have some great options.
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7
Flavors: Sweet, caramel, banana, nuts, cinnamon
Style: Light, smooth
You can buy a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 at TIPXY.com here.
Maker’s Mark
Flavors: Sweet with oak, vanilla and fruity essences
Style: Medium-bodied
You can buy a bottle of Maker’s Mark at TIPXY.com here.
Woodford Reserve
Flavors: Toffee, caramel, chocolate, cocoa spices, citrus
Style: Full-bodied, smooth
You can buy a bottle of Woodford Reserve at TIPXY.com here
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Bulleit Bourbon
Flavors: Oak, maple, nutmeg, light toffee
Style: High rye, spicy
You can buy a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon at TIPXY.com here.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Flavors: Plums, cherries, pear, cocoa, vanilla, maple syrup, spices
Style: Full-bodied, fruity
You can buy a bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel at TIPXY.com here.
Buffalo Trace
Flavors: Sweet with brown sugar, spices, oak, toffee, dark fruit, anise
Style: Medium-bodied, smooth
You can buy a bottle of Buffalo Trace at TIPXY.com here.
Knob Creek 9 Year Old
Flavors: Sweet, woody, cocoa, maple syrup, caramel, cinnamon, clove
Style: Full-bodied
You can buy a bottle of Knob Creek 9 Year Old at TIPXY.com here.
Jim Beam White Label
Flavors: Caramel, oak, vanilla, subtle spices
Style: Medium bodied, smooth
You can buy a bottle of Jim Beam White Label at TIPXY.com here.
Evan Williams Single Barrel
Flavors: Honey, oak, apples, oranges, spices, caramel
Style: Full-bodied, spicy
You can buy a bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel at TIPXY.com here.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Flavors: Woody, smoke, nutmeg, vanilla, fruit
Style: Full-bodied
You can buy a bottle of Elijah Craig Small Batch at TIPXY.com here.
2. It Suits Different Styles of Drinking
Bourbon can be drunk in several ways, so it makes a great gift because there are lots of bourbons that will suit the drinking style of the person receiving your gift.
If they like to explore all the aromas and flavors of their drink or are willing to discover new ones they never knew they’d like, then a bourbon with lots of flavors will be perfect as it can be savored neat.
On the other hand, if they prefer to drink shots – so they’re less interested in the aromas and flavors and just want to relax and get alcohol into their body as fast as possible, then a bourbon with less flavors … and therefore a lower price, will be better.
And if they prefer drinks with a lower alcohol content level, then although it has between 40% – 68%ABV, bourbon can still make a great gift because there are many popular bourbon cocktails out there, where the alcohol is diluted by being part of a larger drink, but the character of the bourbon still stands out.
Once again, I’ve compiled a list of some well-known bourbons and the best way to drink them, so you already have some great options.
Bourbons For Drinking Neat
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Maker’s Mark Cask Strength – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Blanton’s Original Single Barrel – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
Bourbons For Drinking in Shots
- Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Jim Beam White Label – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Wild Turkey 101 – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Benchmark Bourbon – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
Bourbons For Drinking in Cocktails
- Bulleit Bourbon – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Old Forester – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Basil Hyden’s – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Jim Beam Black Label – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
3. It’s Suitable for Many Occasions
Another reason why bourbon makes a great gift is because it’s suitable for almost any occasion. Bourbon can be given as a gift for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, holidays, promotions, retirements, or any other special event or milestone.
It’s also an appropriate gift in both personal and professional settings – for casual gatherings among friends and family, as well as formal occasions or corporate events.
And it’s a great present whether the person receiving it is a connoisseur or someone who has never had a drop of bourbon in their life. Higher-quality bourbons with more character and depth are needed for the expert whereas something easier to appreciate is necessary for a beginner. The following list will help you with that, as it contains great options for both.
Bourbons For an Expert
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve (any year) – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- George T. Stagg Bourbon – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- William Larue Weller Bourbon – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Four Roses Small Batch – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Angel’s Envy Cask Strength – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
Bourbons For a Beginner
- Buffalo Trace – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Woodford Reserve – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Eagle Rare 10 Year Old – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Maker’s Mark – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
- Knob Creek – buy a bottle at TIPXY.com here.
4. It Can Be a Very Personal Gift
Bourbon can be personalized in several ways, which is why it can be a very thoughtful and even significant gift.
One way to personalize bourbon is by engraving the recipient’s name or a significant date or even a personalized message onto the bottle you’re giving them. Similarly, you can create a custom label for a bottle of bourbon so you can tailor it to the recipient’s personality or commemorate a specific event or milestone.
You could even pair the bourbon with accompanying accessories that are also personalized, for example, glasses or a decanter.
And if you know that the person receiving your gift loves certain bourbons in particular, then you can buy them a bottle from their favorite brand. You could even go a step further by finding a newer or rarer expression, and if that’s too expensive, a somewhat uncommon expression that they’ve never tried.
5. It Represents Craftsmanship and Heritage
Bourbon is a great gift because it represents craftsmanship and heritage, so it connects the drinker to something greater than themselves.
Bourbon is deeply rooted in American history and has been produced for centuries. It’s considered America’s native spirit and holds a special place in the country’s cultural and culinary traditions.
Additionally, the process of producing bourbon involves a meticulous set of techniques and highly skilled craftsmanship that have been refined over decades if not centuries. From selecting the grains to fermenting the mash, distilling the spirit and the years long maturation process, each step requires skill and expertise.
That’s a lot of people, going to a lot of effort, over a long period of time, to make the most delicious and flavorful bourbon they can. And I’m connected to all the craftsmanship and heritage through 2fl oz of bourbon in my glass.
After all that, how can bourbon not be a fantastic gift.
6. It’s Elegant, Sophisticated and Luxurious
Another reason why bourbon makes a really great gift is because it’s associated with elegance, sophistication, luxury and indulgence.
This is partly to do with branding and marketing which has led to many bourbons achieving the status of a premium product that’s associated with luxury and success, and sometimes a status symbol, but there are genuine reasons for this too.
The above-mentioned craftsmanship and tradition that goes into making bourbon, makes it something of substance and value. Its cultural and historical significance gives it added meaning and importance.
There’s also all the etiquette surrounding drinking bourbon. From the correct glassware to use to the techniques involved in drinking it properly – nosing, sipping and chewing your bourbon, to fully appreciate and savor its aromas and flavors.
All these things elevate bourbon and give it an overall sense of sophistication, luxury and refinement.
7. It Can Be a Collectible Item or Investment
Bourbon is a great gift because it can be a collectible item or an investment.
There are hundreds of brands, distilleries and expressions of bourbon out there, which is why many have become collectible items. If the person receiving your gift already has a bourbon collection, then a rare or limited-edition or a bottle that fits with the type of collection they have, will be the perfect gift.
If they don’t have a collection it can still be a great idea to give them a collectable bourbon as a gift. That’s because owning a unique and highly coveted bourbon will give the person receiving your gift a sense of exclusivity that may be as good as or even better than drinking the bourbon itself.
Bourbon also has amazing investment potential. Certain bottles, especially those from closed distilleries, have demonstrated significant appreciation in value over time.
By gifting a bourbon with investment potential, you not only give the person receiving your gift an asset that can grow in value, but you also give them the ability to participate in the dynamic world of bourbon investments.
And as you paid for it, there’s no downside for them!
8. It Can Create Connections with Other People
The last reason why bourbon is a great gift is because it can create meaningful connections with other people – including the gift giver.
That’s because drinking bourbon is a social activity and so it can be a catalyst for creating strong and even significant connections with other people.
This can be because of interest in bourbon in general, as discussions about the flavors, aromas, and nuances of the spirit can create a camaraderie through the shared knowledge and experience of bourbon.
It can also occur even when there’s no bourbon-based discussion, as people tend to relax when they drink bourbon, which often leads to a greater openness and the types of meaningful conversations that allow individuals to bond.
And of course, bourbon can also create a strong connection between people when it’s used to celebrate whatever occasion it is that the bourbon was gifted for in the first place.
