10 spirits for Christmas

During the Christmas holidays there are certainly opportunities to spend pleasant evenings with friends. What better gift for spirits fans than a good bottle to taste after dinner?

For Rum lovers here are three proposals that will satisfy even the most demanding and refined palates. Rum Diplomàtico Ambassador Selection is produced in limited edition on the slopes of the Andes by the Destilerías Unidas of Venezuela. It comes from a blend of over 60 rums and ages for 12 years in oak barrels already used for Bourbon and 2 years in barrels previously used to age Pedro Ximenez of Jerez. It has a beautiful copper color with mahogany reflections, soft aromas of vanilla, caramel, chocolate, coffee and dried fruit. Ron Zacapa XO Solera Gran Reserva Especial is an agricultural rum of the highest quality, produced in Guatemala and aged up to 25 years. It comes from the fermentation of pure cane juice and ages in French oak barrels according to the Solera system. It fascinates with its soft, harmonious and persistent sip, with aromas of vanilla, dried fruit and spices. El Dorado 15 Year Old Rum Special Reserve is a Rum produced in Guyana on the banks of the Demerara River, an area that has always been recognized and capable of expressing some of the best labels ever. It is a blend of rum obtained from carefully selected sugar cane molasses and aged up to 25 years in oak barrels already used for bourbon. It is a Rum that seduces by the complexity of the aromas of candied citrus peel, coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla and spices.

For those who prefer the fine and elegant taste of the great French Cognac and Armagnac, we recommend two classy labels. The Cognac Grande Champagne VSOP Gaston de Casteljac is produced in the Pointou-Charentes region by the distillation of carefully selected white wines from the area. It ages for 4 years in oak barrels and gives an elegant bouquet with notes of candied fruit, sultanas, spices and ginger. Bas Armagnac Baron de Sigognac is a wine distillate for refined palates, produced in the Gascogne region and aged for a long time in French oak barriques. The bouquet expresses elegant floral and fruity aromas, on the palate it is soft and persuasive with a finish on pleasant notes of vanilla.

Always to stay in France, but for a more original gift idea, you can opt for Calvados Fine Charles de Granville, a distillate produced from apples, which is aged for 24 months in small oak barrels. It gives fresh fruit aromas, caramel notes and soft hints of vanilla. The finish is persuasive, fruity and persistent.

If you want to give a bottle of Whiskey, we recommend three interesting labels: Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Whiskey is a high quality Japanese Whiskey, which ages in oak barrels and expresses elegant floral aromas of spices and dried fruit. The sip is large and complex with a pleasantly fruity finish. Lagavulin 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey is a great peated Whiskey classic, produced south of Islay. It matures for 16 years in oak barrels and gives a deep sip with peaty notes and elegant smoky hints. Caol Ila 18 Years Old Whiskey stands out for its great finesse and elegance. The very long aging in wood gives a particular delicacy to the peaty aromas, with notes of malt, honey, fresh and brackish finish. We close with a distillate of the great Italian tradition: the Grappa Riserva Privata Barricata of Distilleria Bottega. It is produced with the precious amarone marc and is subjected to an aging period of 18 months in oak barriques. It is a soft and persuasive grappa with aromas of honey, vanilla, cocoa and spices.