I’m a huge fan of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky, so I was looking forward to trying the all-new Crown Royal Regal Apple. The flavored whisky arrived in a sweet emerald green carton with the iconic Crown Royal bag in green and gold tones. Crown Royal Regal Apple is a combination of the well-known, premium taste of Crown Royal whisky infused with natural apple flavors. It’s delicious as a chilled shot as the strong apple flavor jumps out and you can use it for a number of great cocktails as well. With the beautiful packaging and the iconic Crown Royal brand it’s also great for a gift or something to bring to a party during the holiday season.

Here are some recipes from our friends at Crown Royal:

Crownberry
1.5 oz. Crown Royal Regal Apple
4 oz. Cranberry Juice
Serve in a rocks glass over ice and garnish with apple wedge

The Big Apple
1.5oz Crown Royal Regal Apple
1oz sweet Vermouth
1 dash angostura bitters
Shake over ice and serve straight up in martini glass with cherry garnish

Flaming Apple
.75oz Crown Royal Regal Apple
.75oz Yukon Jack Wicked Hot
Shake over ice and serve as a shot

Candy Apple
1oz Crown Royal Regal Apple
0.5oz Crown Royal Maple Finished
Shake over ice and serve as a shot

So spice up your holiday season with this new offering from Crown Royal.

I love premium tequila, so naturally I’m a fan of everything from Patrón. So when I tried their delicious new offering, Patrón XO Cafe Incendio, I knew it would live up to the brand’s high standards.

This spicy and sweet liqueur is delicious and it offers a great new option whether you’re looking for a drink to savor and enjoy, or whether you’re getting a party going with shots. And we all know that few things get a party going like tequila, and this sweet drink should win over more tequila fans, particularly among the ladies.

Patrón XO Cafe Incendio starts with Patrón Silver tequila and draws its flavor from the spicy Mexican arbol chile along with the sweet richness of Criollo chocolate. I preferred drinking it straight after chilling the bottle in the refrigerator. You can also use it for cocktails and as a kicker to spice up your coffee or hot cocoa in the winter months.

Try it once and you’ll want to keep a bottle in your fridge year-round, particularly for guests, dates and impromptu gatherings.

With the holidays around the corner you’ll be the hit of the party if you walk in with a bottle of Patrón XO Cafe Incendio, and it’s a great gift idea as well. Enjoy!

I love trying new spirits and discovering bottles that I can recommend to friends, but that rarely happens with vodka. Sure, there are subtle differences between premium vodkas and the volume brands that you can appreciate when drinking vodka straight, but it rarely makes a lasting impression.

That was not the case then I first tried Empire Rockefeller Vodka on the rocks. From the first sip I sensed something different and I wanted more. It starts with a very mild sweet taste which then gives way to a remarkably smooth and subtle finish. It’s really unlike any other vodka I’ve tried.

Empire Rockefeller Vodka came to market in 2012 but it builds on a heritage that goes back for generations in France. It is the only vodka in the world that is distilled six times in copper cognac kettles in the Cognac region of France which contributes to its unique qualities. The winter wheat used is grown organically in France and the water used in its production comes from pristine French springs, filtered through Champagne limestone. Taste it and you’ll experience why these details matter.

The vodka is produced and marketed by the Vintage Rockefeller Wine & Spirits Group which is committed to continuing the tradition of their French forefathers by bringing to market the finest champagnes, wines and spirits handcrafted in and imported from France. The company also produces F. Rockefeller and Sons Champagne, a vintage 2004 champagne, and Signature Rockefeller Cognac, consisting of three lines of fine French Cognac: VS, VSOP and XO.

New vodkas are springing up all the time with catchy and unique marketing plans. In that sense, Empire Rockefeller Vodka fits right in with an elegant logo and bottle that will look great on any bar. But this premium vodka lives up to its name and offers real quality that stands out. I rarely order vodka on the rocks when I’m out, but if Empire Rockefeller Vodka is on the shelf it now becomes one of my new, favorite options.

Captain Morgan White Rum is the newest member of the brand’s impressive roster of rum products, and it’s distilled five times for a very smooth taste. We received a bottle to try with some of our favorite mixers, and it naturally tasted great with cola and lemon-lime soda. You can mix 1.5 ounces of Captain Morgan White Rum with five ounces of most sodas on the rocks for a sweet, refreshing cocktail, so it’s a staple at most parties. It’s also great for Mojitos as well.

When you taste it straight or on the rocks you can appreciate the quality of this white rum that lives up to the Captain Morgan name. Pick up a bottle and add it to your bar, then plan your next party or cookout.

Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates this holiday, and Happy Holidays to everyone else. Regardless of your traditions, hopefully it involves getting together with friends, family and loved ones.

Naturally, that often involves great food and plenty of drinks. I was just out and about and lots of people were stocking up on booze and beer for their holiday parties. We’ve had a number of features recently and in past years with suggestions on cocktails, beer and wine. Bob Westal gives us weekly ideas with his Drink of the Week series helping us with both traditional and new cocktail recipes. His recent article covered several Christmas cocktails that you might consider for tonight and tomorrow.

Several years ago Mike Barkacs offered up his top 5 holiday beers which should give you some ideas on how to stock your refrigerator, and naturally you can check out all of our beer reviews.

Then check out our wine reviews as well for ideas on what to serve with your holiday meal.

Finally, check out our Booze Gift Guide for last-minute ideas on bottles you can bring to a party or add to your own stock for this week and next.

Please be safe and enjoy the holidays!

“DEWAR’S: The Drinking Man’s Scotch” has released two videos exclusively online that depict the attitude, character, style, and lifestyle of a Dewar’s Drinking Man.

Ever heard of the underground legend in Glasgow? You can see him for Yourself in the One Man Gang:

Every Drinking Man needs a wingman, especially one with an escape plan as smooth as his Scotch. Meet The Baron in this latest clip:

This post is brought to you by Dewar’s. Drink Responsibly. Enjoy Responsibly.

And for more gift ideas, check out the other categories in our Holiday Gift Guide.

Craft Beer Club

If you have a beer lover on your list, you can give him or her the gift that keeps on giving. The Craft Beer Club discovers exceptional craft brews from around the country and delivers them each month direct to you or your gift recipient. Every selection is produced by small-production, independent brewers who use only traditional brewing ingredients and time-honored brewing methods. In addition to traditional bottled beers, they also embrace the hundreds of small craft brewers around the country that offer their hand-crafted beers in cans. It’s a great way to enjoy craft beers and it’s ideal for the holiday season.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

If dad, your buddy, your tomboyish gal pal or anyone else on your holiday list loves a very good bottle of Scotch, then consider this rather dandy, unusually enjoyable single malt. Outstanding on the rocks, with a splash of water or soda, or neat for you purists, the Laphroaig 10 Year Old is also more mixable than you might assume; on the other hand, it’s good enough that many will consider even the finest cocktail made with it a crime against nature. The website tells us that it’s got traces of salt and seaweed along with the usual peat and smoke flavors, but we don’t completely agree. It’s definitely got smoke – indeed, you might get hungry for barbecue after you take a good whiff and, yeah, that’s some salt in there, but that’s not all. Every good Scotch has its share of several indescribable tastes and smells of nature. We haven’t been to Scotland, but we wouldn’t be one bit surprised to find ourselves tasting the essence of this concoction in the clear cool air of the highlands. Cheaper than super-duper premium single malts but nearly double what you’ll likely pay for Chivas Regal, this is an outstanding gift for a true blue Scotch enthusiast.

Brugal 1888 Dominican Rum

If you’re in search of a bottle for the man or woman who’s drunk everything, Brugal 1888 is something genuinely new under the sun and it’s completely remarkable. An aged Dominican rum that thinks it’s a premium Scotch or Bourbon, it has the tantalizing, woody and astringent flavor you might get in very a high-end single malt, plus a hint of something that somehow reminds us of our dad’s old fake-leather chair. (That’s a good thing, believe it or not.) At the exact same time, it has a boldly sugary undertone that goes well beyond what you’re likely to find in the sweetest bourbon. We tasted more than a hint of maple syrup or maybe turbinado. Regardless, it’s delicious and probably not like anything you’ve had before. You can drink this on the rocks, with a bit of water, or neat. You can also put on your mixologist hat and go to town as this is a flexible beverage that won’t be out of place in an Old Fashioned, especially if you use real maple syrup in place of the usual sugar or simple syrup. High priced for rum but worth every gosh darn penny, this is one boozy gift that won’t be forgotten.

Cabo Diablo

This is the best new spirit we’ve tried in a long time. Cabo Wabo is known now just as much for its excellent tequilas as it is for its founder Sammy Hagar, and this new Cabo Diablo should attract many more fans. Cabo Diablo features a delicious coffee flavor and tastes amazing when you drink it straight. It’s sweet, but not too sweet, and it’s not think and syrupy like some liqueurs. So it’s a fantastic sipping drink that men and women should both enjoy. But better yet, it’s a tequila, so it’s also a great way to get a party going, as tequila makes everyone a little nuts at times. It is made with 100% blue agave Cabo Wabo Silver tequila, then kicks in notes of fresh roasted coffee, vanilla and chocolate for a striking combination. It’s excellent served chilled or on the rocks. With the holidays around the corner, this makes for a great gift for men and women, and it’s a great bottle to bring to a gathering to get the party started!

Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach

The smooth and delicious Raspberry Peach by Grand Marnier is from its new Signature Collection. It features an all-natural fusion of fresh fruit ingredients and exotic orange essence, blended with premium Cognac. Here’s how they describe it: “The House of Marnier Lapostolle is proud to present our latest expression, Signature Collection No. 2 Raspberry peach. The natural flavors of succulent European raspberries and rare red peaches from Ardèche, in the South of France, are combined with world-renowned Grand Marnier, made from our exceptionally smooth Cognac and wild tropical Haitian oranges.” It sounds incredible, and it totally lives up to the hype. Just pour it into a cocktail glass with some ice and you have a delicious drink with a nice kick. If you’re a fan of Grand Marnier, you have to try this, and we recommend it to anyone who enjoys spirits. Women in particular will love this, and it’s great for cocktails as well.

Game of Thrones Beer

We’re huge fans of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and we were very happy when HBO and Brewery Ommegang sent us some bottles of their new “Game of Thrones” beer to try out. We tried the second in the series, called the “Take the Black Stout,” which was inspired by the Night’s Watch, the military order dressed in black which guards The Wall. The unique label features the sacred Weirwood tree where Jon Snow and other followers of the old gods take their oaths to the Night’s Watch. “With the second beer, we wanted a big, substantial brew, something that would stick to your ribs and sustain you through long nights at watch on The Wall,” said Phil Leinhart, brewmaster at Ommegang. “A 7 % ABV stout with Northern Brewer hops, Midnight wheat, roasted barley, and chocolate malt made a perfect foundation for the beer. We also used uncommon spicing, something Ommegang is well known for. For this beer we added licorice root and star anise.” We tried it and loved it. It’s thick and malty and exactly the kind of beer you can imagine the characters drinking on the show. It’s a great gift for fans of the show or anyone who loves trying hearty and unique beers. You can also spice up a holiday party by serving this or bring it along. The beer comes in large, 750 ML bottles with a cork, so it makes quite an impression.

Captain Morgan Sherry Oak Finish

Here’s a limited edition spiced rum from Captain Morgan that offers a very nice twist on a classic. You can tell the difference right away when you open the bottle, as you can definitely sense dark cherry scents along with a hint of vanilla. The taste is excellent, with a hint of sherry wine to go along with the dark cherry flavor. Frankly it’s delicious on the rocks and should work great with many rum cocktails. We tried the classic rum and cola combination and loved it. This special edition was inspired by the real-life Captain Henry Morgan’s 1671 victory in Panama aboard his flagship, The Satisfaction. The bottle design is slick as you can see, with a highly-detailed metallic label. It will definitely look good on your home bar and your guests will be happy to try something new and both men and woman will enjoy this one as a gift.

Jägermeister

Every party needs shots at some point, and you’ll definitely want some Jägermeister on hand when that time comes. This classic brand can help liven up most events, and it’s a great bottle to bring along to a party. It will also be a great gift option for many people on your list, as this is a must for anyone’s home bar.

Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon Whiskey

Flavored liquor has become all the rage over the last few years, particularly with twentysomething women who would never consider drinking a shot of vodka unless it tasted like strawberry shortcake, rainbow sherbet or some other sugary concoction. The last thing we expected, however, was for this trend to make its way into the whiskey market, though Knob Creek’s Smoked Maple bourbon is actually pretty damn tasty without sacrificing what’s most important. Launched in September of this year, the Smoked Maple variation was created in honor of Knob Creek founder Booker Noe, bringing together his three favorite flavors: smoke, maple and bourbon. Bottled at 90 proof with a smokey and sweet finish, the maple flavor is noticeable but subtle, never overwhelming the bourbon itself, and it makes for one hell of a Manhattan or served straight up. We weren’t daring enough to try it with a plate of waffles and bacon, but we’re sure it would pair nicely as well.

Boodles Gin

Real men love gin, so a proper British gin will always be appreciated as a gift or as a bottle you bring to a party. Boodles Gin is named for the oldest gentlemen’s club in England, the Boodle’s Club, which was founded in 1762 by future Prime Minister Lord Shelbourne, and Boodles Gin was allegedly the favorite of club member Sir Winston Churchill. Boodles was first distilled in 1845 and offers a unique flavor. It is a juniper- and coriander-based gin, distinct for having a more understated juniper flavor and unique profile. Boodles is the only gin made with nutmeg, sage and rosemary, and is free of citrus ingredients for a pure, proper taste. This classic, British gin can easily be enjoyed in a martini or a Boodles and tonic.

Downton Abbey Wine Collection

Do you know anyone who is a fan of the hit PBS show “Downton Abbey?” If so, you can give them a gift that lets them enjoy wines similar to those poured by Mr. Carson for Lord and Lady Grantham. The Downton Abbey Wine Collection features two blends from the Bordeaux region of France: a “Blanc” white wine and a “Claret” red wine. Downton Abbey Blanc is a light and crisp white blend, while Downton Abbey Claret is medium-bodied red with bright fruit and a silky finish. We tried both of them and were impressed, and the price ($14.99 per 750-ml bottle) is reasonable as well. The wines are available in select stores and also online at Wine.com and DowntonAbbeyWine.com.

Sam Adams Winter Lager

If you’re bringing beer to a party, make sure you’re bringing something good. You can’t ever go wrong with Sam Adams, and the Winter Lager offers something unique as well. It’s a bold, rich bock beer that’s smooth with a malty finish and low bitterness, and most beer lovers will appreciate it. It carries on the tradition started with German brewers centuries ago when they created bold bock beers for the winter. Winter Lager has “a warm aroma of fresh-ground cinnamon and ginger” which certainly seems like a good fit for the holiday season.

Alacrán Tequila

We always recommend at least one tequila, as it’s usually the best way to get a party started. Give a quality tequila as a gift or bring a bottle to a party and you’ll definitely get a great response. Alacrán tequila is a new, high-quality tequila blanco made from 100% agave. It’s smooth and delicious and comes in a beautiful matte black bottle. It’s great as a sipping tequila, and of course, for shots and mixed drinks as well. Enjoy the party!

Highland Park 15

Do you know someone who appreciates the finer things, like a great Scotch and a nice cigar? Check out Highland Park 15, which was first released as a UK exclusive in 2003 and is now globally available. This Scotch is a very smooth single malt aged 15 years with a nice, smokey finish. Keep this one in mind when shopping for gifts for the Scotch-lover on your list or as you’re stocking your home bar.

Also, check out our Father’s Day Gift Guide from earlier this year for more booze gift ideas, along with our beer reviews and wine reviews. Also, check out our Drink of the Week series for great cocktail ideas for your holiday party.

The good folks at Grand Marnier sent us their new Signature Collection, the smooth and delicious Raspberry Peach. The Signature Collection Series is a unique annual flavor offering from Grand Marnier featuring an all-natural fusion of fresh fruit ingredients and exotic orange essence, blended with premium Cognac. Here’s how they describe it: “The House of Marnier Lapostolle is proud to present our latest expression, Signature Collection No. 2 Raspberry peach. The natural flavors of succulent European raspberries and rare red peaches from Ardèche, in the South of France, are combined with world-renowned Grand Marnier, made from our exceptionally smooth Cognac and wild tropical Haitian oranges.”

It sounds incredible, and it totally lives up to the hype. Just pour it into a cocktail glass with some ice and you have a delicious drink with a nice kick. It’s not too sweet or syrupy like some liqueurs and it makes for a great sipping drink. If you’re a fan of Grand Marnier you have to try this, and we recommend it to anyone who enjoys spirits.

Here’s a punch recipe provided by Grand Marnier and created by mixologist George Carney that you can serve if you’re hosting a holiday party, though we like the Raspberry Peach so much we would serve it straight on the rocks:

GM Raspberry Peach Holiday Punch
2 quarts Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach
1 ½ cups cinnamon syrup
2 quarts water
1 quart lemon juice
1 quart overproof rum
4 oz apricot brandy
Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl and serve. Optional: freeze raspberries and pieces of peach in purified water and add to punch bowl.

For individual portions:
2 oz Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach
1/2 oz cinnamon syrup
2 oz spring water
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz overproof rum
1/8 oz apricot brandy
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a punch glass.

With the holidays coming, Grand Marnier Signature Collection No. 2 – Raspberry Peach is a great choice to bring to a party. It can also be a great gift for both men and women as the flavor will have broad appeal. Buy an extra one for your home bar!

This is the best new spirit I’ve tried in a long time. Cabo Wabo is known now just as much for its excellent tequilas as it is for its founder Sammy Hagar, and this new Cabo Diablo should attract many more fans.

Cabo Diablo features a delicious coffee flavor and tastes amazing when you drink it straight. It’s sweet but not too sweet and it’s not think and syrupy like some liqueurs. So it’s a fantastic sipping drink that men and women should both enjoy. But better yet it’s a tequila so it’s also a great way to get a party going as tequila makes everyone a little nuts at times.

It is made with 100% blue agave Cabo Wabo Silver tequila then kicks in notes of fresh roasted coffee, vanilla and chocolate for a striking combination. It’s excellent served chilled or on the rocks. With the holidays around the corner this makes for a great gift for men and women and it’s a great bottle to bring to a gathering to get the party started!

Liquor is a staple in the hip hop world.

Flashy cars, hot girls, stacks of money, and of course … the partying.

Rappers like Eminem, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and many others get behind their brands. There is no shortage of the hard stuff whenever you catch one of their videos and if you happen to catch them in a club you’ll quickly see them poppin’ bottles at a table.

This love for the booze has even gone as far as to catch the attention of researchers which found that out of 700 top billboard hits almost 23% of them had some mention of alcohol.

The question becomes … which ones and what kind of drinks can you make with ‘em?

1. Wild Turkey

Whiskey and bourbon are two fine choices you’ll often hear mentioned in videos.

These are the drinks of gangsters – to whom many rappers try to replicate at least in image.

The aged drink shows sophistication and says that you’re not just there to chug down grain alcohol.

Of these brands, the Island of Kentucky has been putting out some of the best.

At around 86 proof (43% alcohol) you can expect to get turned up on one of these bottles.

If you want to drink with sophistication than consider the Sazerac:

• 2 oz Bourbon Whiskey
• 1 tsp Ricard Pastis
• 1 tsp Water
• 2 dashes Peychaud Bitters
• 1/2 tsp Superfine Sugar
• 1 twist of Lemon Peel

Preparation

Chill an old-fashioned glass. In a separate mixing glass, muddle the sugar and Peychaud bitters together. Add the whiskey and ice to the bitters mixture and stir. Rinse the chilled glass with Ricard Pastis by pouring a small amount into the glass, swirling it around and discarding the liquid. Strain the whiskey mixture from the mixing glass into the old fashioned glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Recipe courtesy of Snooth.com.

2. Patron

Ah, Patron.

The tequila that doesn’t taste like the devil and a favorite among rappers.

Patron is going to set you back a bit of money depending on the size of the bottle (expect to pay about $45 and up for a decent size) but it’s worth it once you taste the difference.

You ain’t going bottom-shelf on this one.

This legendary alcohol has been a favorite among rappers for decades. Tequila is usually one of those drinks that completely floors you but everyone has seemed to take a liking to Patron (probably because it doesn’t give you the rot gut, massive hangover the next day, as easily).

Drink with style via Patron Diablo:

• 1 1/2 oz Patron Silver Tequila
• 3/4 oz Creme de Cassis
• 1/2 oz Lime Juice (fresh)
• 1 splash(es) Ginger Ale

Preparation

Fill cocktail glass with ice then add the Patron Silver Tequila, Creme de Cassis, and fresh Lime Juice. Top off with Ginger Ale. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Recipe courtesy of BartendingMadeEasyandFun.

3. Hennessy

Cognac.

Now there’s a drink for the ages.

Hennessy go real popular once the hip hop crowd found it with big mentions by the likes of Tupac, Biggie, Drake, Dr. Dre, Wu-Tang, and a bunch of others. The reason why you’ve probably heard of the name is most likely because of a hip hop song.

Drinking it straight is always choice but if you want to be adventurous then try a Tap that Ass:

• 1 oz Hennessy® cognac
• 1 oz Alize® Red Passion liqueur
• 1 oz Alize® Gold Passion liqueur
• 1 splash cranberry juice
• Top with soda water

Preparation

Fill the hurricane glass with ice. Pour the Hennessy, Red Alize, and Yellow Alize. Splash in some Cranberry Juice and top it off with soda. For garnish you can add a slice of pineapple and cherries.

Recipe courtesy of Drinksmixer.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about stocking up one some booze for your next party or if you just want to have some around the house than these three choices are great for building up that stock.

You don’t have to party as hard as the hip hop heads but you can certainly drink like ‘em.

Try out some of the mixes, too.

Remember: you don’t always have to drink it straight from the bottle.