What alcohol would you buy for this person?

[sparklins]

Apologies not sure what topic to put this under and I can't find a Christmas one.

He's 25, he likes whiskey and is quite knowledgeable about it, also likes rum and vodka as mixers, he dabbles in a bit of cocktail making.
Would like to maybe get him a bottle of unusual alcohol or something along those lines.
Budget £40.

I drink very little myself so I am completely out of the loop with what is considered a nice quality alcohol.
Any recommendations or links would be really helpful.

You could try the hard to find whiskey company. I sometimes buy gifts for my partner from there. Not sure if they will have much in your budget but worth a look.

Do they like gin at all? Reason I ask is there is a gin made in one of the whisky regions of Scotland (Islay) that has the same smokiness and peaty undertones of their whisky? If not I'd look at a website like Masters of Malt for a decent single malt whisky.

Salford rum is lovely and comes in a fantastic bottle.

salfordrum.com/

I'd get a variety of quality bitters, and liqueurs
like lemoncello, Galliano, Chambord, Grand Marnier type things.
Or a bottle of Hennessy works.

I’d go for a nice single malt.
Try master of malt or whiskey exchange websites.

I'd go for something maybe completely outside of his normal interests. and a bit unusual. Umeshu wine?

Not alcohol but DH's hobby is cocktails, I got him a cocktail smoker last year, we now have smoked ice in our G&Ts using smoke from Rosemary wood. It was the best gift ever, they taste amazing and really easy to use! Look on Amazon for TMKEFFC Portable Food Smoker.
Our cocktail cupboard always has Grand Marnier, Vodka, various types of non fruity Gin, Tequila, Rum & Whiskey. A decent bottle of Rum or Whiskey is a nice. gift too, but nicer IMO to drink neat not in cocktails.

I'd search online for whisky distilleries doing mail order and get him a bottle from a small distillery. Definitely not rum, g in or any other spirit, and also not something you can buy from a supermarket. I used to buy whisky for a relative and he really appreciated unusual whiskies from Scottish distilleries.

BTW did you mean whiskey (Irish) or whisky (Scottish)?

Harris gin. It is still unusual in that you can’t get it in many shops. It is so delicious and quite an adult salty taste. And the bottle is gorgeous:

harrisdistillery.com/pages/isle-of-harris-gin-shop

If it has to be whisky then I’d get a bottle of Glengoyne.

www.glengoyne.com/glengoyne-12-years-old-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky

I love the mermaid gin bottle.

You won't get a whisky which is particularly special or memorable for 40 quid, however more premium rum and gin starts to be affordible in that bracket. What about a nice Venezuelan sipping rum like santa Teresa?

Some Japanese whisky. Insanely good. Anything from the Isle of Islay is my favourite scotch or an older the better bottle of Grants. No whisky stones they are beyond useless. I always just stick my bottle in the freezer. Or French grain vodka. You can get it in co op and Aldi.

I’d go for some nice Bourbon like Bulleit / Woodford reserve / makers mark

You want this. Its amazing, reasonably priced and chances are he hasn't tried it.

www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/seaweed-and-aeons-and-digging-and-fire/seaweed-and-aeons-and-digging-and-fire-10-year-old-whisky/

[quote Witchcraftandhokum]You want this. Its amazing, reasonably priced and chances are he hasn't tried it.

www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/seaweed-and-aeons-and-digging-and-fire/seaweed-and-aeons-and-digging-and-fire-10-year-old-whisky/[/quote]
I retract my previous comment, I've had this and it was great

How about a Mexican Tequila or a Brazilian Cachaca (can't remember how to spell it( that is used to make a caipirinha.

@Mifacagare DH's hobby is cocktails

I love this! I don't have a hobby, I love that cocktails can be a hobby! (Does he put it on his CV?)

Sorry, so not helpful to the OP. I'd find a specialist independent shop and have a chat with them if you can, OP.

You'll get a 12 year old Glenmorangie at the 40'ish quid mark (and Glenmorangie is good for cocktailing).

[quote BluebellCockleshell123]Harris gin. It is still unusual in that you can’t get it in many shops. It is so delicious and quite an adult salty taste. And the bottle is gorgeous:

harrisdistillery.com/pages/isle-of-harris-gin-shop

If it has to be whisky then I’d get a bottle of Glengoyne.

www.glengoyne.com/glengoyne-12-years-old-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky[/quote]
Harris Gin have just gone on amazon

[quote Witchcraftandhokum]You want this. Its amazing, reasonably priced and chances are he hasn't tried it.

www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/seaweed-and-aeons-and-digging-and-fire/seaweed-and-aeons-and-digging-and-fire-10-year-old-whisky/[/quote]
Thanks for this tip- just ordered it for DH for Christmas! Have you tried the Christmas Cake & Dark Chocolate & Medjool Dates & Cinnamon whisky from them? It sounds glorious!

I'd go for a fun gift

Fireball is actually really nice! A bit unusual. I think Jim Beam Kentucky Fire is similar

[quote Witchcraftandhokum]You want this. Its amazing, reasonably priced and chances are he hasn't tried it.

www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/seaweed-and-aeons-and-digging-and-fire/seaweed-and-aeons-and-digging-and-fire-10-year-old-whisky/[/quote]
Going to get this for my Dad - thanks for recommending 😊

Was just going to say Glengoyne but someone earlier beat me too it
Anything from the Oban distillery single malt wise would be good too

To everyone taking up my recommendation, you absolutely won't be disappointed!