Don Paloma cocktail. Picture: Supplied
Celebrations and get togethers are going to be very popular in some people’s calendars as we head closer to December, and liquor gifts – ranging from tequila to brandy – are bound to be high on the list.
Whether you’re looking for tequila, vodka or even brandy to infuse into your cocktails, or a special gift for the festive season, these spirits are the best of the best.
Anytime a brand labels itself as the best or leading, there must be credentials to match it. Don Julio Reposado tequila is made in Mexico and is the original tequila choice in the country.
Don Julio uses the highest calibre, fully matured and ripened blue agave that has been hand-selected from the rich, clay soils of the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco. The story of its origins is of a 17-year-old in 1942 who harvested for seven years and culminated the fruits of agave, resulting in a mellow yet zesty taste.
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Don Julio hosted an event inspired by their roots at Altitude Beach, Johannesburg, recently. The theme – Day of the Dead – celebrates the Mexican cultural holiday of a joyful celebration rather than mourning the dead.
After we arrived in our best attire, the event had make-up artists to give guests the famous sugar skull makeup as we enjoyed tequila cocktails and a station to make your own speciality drink with the tequila.
The tequila is smooth, definitely packs the punch and can be mixed with fruity flavours such as citrus and tonic.
Don Julio retails from R699.
For the 10th time, ultra-premium vodka Elit has been awarded Best Vodka of the Year in 2021 by Beverage Testing Institute’s (BTI).
The vodka scored Superlative 97/100, a score unbeaten by any other vodka, the statement read. The BTI testing goes through a high-grade process, top industry experts use their vast professional experience and palettes to test the aroma, flavour, and structure of the vodka.
Elit is created from the finest spring and winter wheat, grown exclusively in the world-class fertile black soil of the brand’s single estate, Kerschinskoye, in Russia.
The distilled spirit then travels to Latvijas Balzams in Riga (Latvia), where it is blended with artesian well water, following a quadruple filtration process, the spirit is frozen at -18°C. The freeze-filtration process is inspired by ancient vodka-making techniques.
Elit retails from R449-R499.
Musgrave is known for its famous craft gin and has launched two brandy infusions that have been in the market for three years.
This year, the Musgrave Copper Black Honey was awarded the Best Innovative Award at the 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards in October and their copper vanilla took home a gold medal.
The flavours bring together some of Africa best ingredients. With access to winter honey, collected by local communities within the national parks of Zambia and vanilla from the Indian Islands around the coast of Africa, the brandy is busting with multiple flavours.
Musgrave Copper brandies retail from R450.
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