For the Coffee Lover: Mr Black

Mr Black Single Origin Ethiopia returns to Ethiopia, coffee’s spiritual home where the beans originate. To produce the new expression, Mr Black partners with growers that positively impact local Ethiopian farmers and communities. The bottle’s striking design makes it a statement addition to any home bar cart. Buy directly on Mr Black’s website.

RHC’s digital director Nick Papa uses Mr Black to make the Cold Fashioned. “I first discovered coffee cocktails at Milk & Honey. They’re like drinking a dessert. I’ll never make a cocktail as well as the late great Sasha Petraske did, but Mr Black’s intentionally simple Cold Fashioned recipe is easy to follow at home with just three ingredients.” 

For the Whiskey Lover: Laws Whiskey

Living by the ethos “no shortcuts,” Laws Whiskey House exclusively uses heirloom, heritage Colorado grain to distill and ferment its whiskey. Gift the taste of Colorado with their special four-pack, which features four expressions: Four Grain Straight Bourbon, San Luis Valley Straight Rye, Centennial Straight Wheat Whiskey, and Henry Road Straight Malt Whiskey. On their website, you’ll find links to Drizly, Caskers, and more retailers that deliver Laws.

RHC’s Senior Account Supervisor Jill Pedrani uses it for Hot Toddies (or drinking neat – whatever your preference), “If I’m being honest, I’m not much of a rye drinker. My palate generally tends towards bourbons and blends, but Laws’ San Luis Valley Straight Rye has me thinking differently. It’s a harmonious balance of spice and flavor that goes down easily neat or over ice. For the holidays though, try it in a Hot Toddy – I used Stash Green Chai tea to really amp up the spicy notes.”

For the Gin Lover: Salcombe Gin

Is there any better gift this winter than an all-natural pink gin that transports us to the Mediterannean? Salcombe Gin boasts fragrant notes of fresh lemon peel and Provence herbs, making it delicate, fresh, and truly exquisite. On their website, you’ll find links to Drizly, Caskers, and more retailers that deliver Salcombe Gin.

For the Music Lover: BLACKENED American Whiskey

This is a gift that really rocks: a masterful collaboration between the late Dave Pickerell and rock legend Metallica. For the first time, whiskey lovers and Metallica fans can collect a limited-edition box set commemorating Batch 100 of the award-winning BLACKENED American Whiskey. It features two 12” vinyl picture discs of the Metallica playlist selected by master distiller Rob Dietrich, which was used during the BLACK NOISE sonic enhancement process. Order the box set on their website.

For the Whiskey Expert Who Has Tried it All: Abasolo Whisky

Even the most seasoned whiskey expert will be pleasantly surprised this holiday season with Abasolo Ancestral Corn Whiskey: the first 100% Mexican corn whiskey. Using a 4,000-year-old traditional process called nixtamalization, local farmers distill the whiskey from the finest, non-GMO Cacahuazintle corn. Head to their website to learn where to buy near you.

For the History Lover: Hochstadter’s Slow & Low

The ultimate throwback, Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock and Rye is a nod to America’s original pre-bottled cocktail. Made with straight aged rye whiskey, air-dried Florida oranges, Pennsylvania raw honey, a small dose of rock candy, and a dash of angostura bitters, this 84-proof mixture comes in a gift pack with a bottle and portable 100 ml cans. Shop directly on their website.

For the Tequila Lover: El Tequileño 

Founded in 1959 by legendary pioneer Don Jorge Salles Cuervo, El Tequileño is an iconic tequila. With the finest raw ingredients, such as blue agave from Los Altos de Jalisco, and mineral-rich spring water from El Volcan de Tequila, you can be sure you’re gifting the best tequila around. Head to their website to learn where to buy near you.

During the holidays, RHC’s senior director Amanda Watenberg uses El Tequileño Reposado Gran Reserva to make Abuelita’s Hot Chocolate. “This is the perfect drink to cap off a holiday gathering with close friends and family. You can do more with tequila than serve margaritas! El Tequileno Reposado Gran Reserva plays super nice with the Ancho Reyes and takes the hot chocolate up a notch with a kick of spice. It’s one of my favorites, and it is so easy to craft.”

For the Irish Whiskey Aficionado: Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey

Go for Knappogue’s signature expression: the 12-year Knappogue Castle. It’s an exceptional single malt made exclusively from malted barley. Head to their website to learn where to buy near you.

New York bar legend Ms. Franky Marshall uses Knappogue in her holiday cocktail creation called Golden Days. “This cocktail is meant to evoke the memory of enjoying whiskey-soaked pears during the holidays,” she says of the drink with 12-year Knappogue Castle, pear brandy, chai tea, honey syrup, and nutmeg.

For the Vodka Lover: Absolut Elyx

Absolut Elyx is the handcrafted luxury expression of the award-winning Absolut Vodka brand. Made with soft winter wheat from a single estate in Åhus, Sweden, and manually distilled in a 1921 copper column, Absolut Elyx removes all impurities and produces an exceptionally silky finish. Head to their website for links to Drizzly and more where you can buy online, and don’t miss the Absolut Elyx Boutique for the brand’s signature copper gifts and barware.