DrinkMelbourne’s Festive Spirit(s) Gift Guide | 2020

Cherry Gin By Anther

Black Tassie cherries, intensively pitted by hand, make Anther's 2020 Harvest Cherry Gin a seductive seasonal prospect. Whip up an impressive batch of cherry ripe Negronis on Xmas Eve with this one. - $90

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Malted Choc Whisky Liqueur By Ancient Wisdom

What could possibly make whisky better? Three forms of chocolate (and a drizzle of wild bush honey) could tempt purists. Santa would appreciate a sneaky slug of this in his hot chocolate, please. - $89

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Cerise Gin By Bass & Flinders

Hero cherries, orange and floral notes of Turkish Delight put this pink gin firmly in festive party mode. - $85

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Spiced Christmas Brandy By Bass & Flinders

Typically pudding is flavoured with brandy. Here the brandy is flavoured like like pudding! A family recipe takes this brandy into overdrive with dried fruits, spices, citrus and even frankincense and myrrh for good measure. - $125

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Christmas Gin By Billson’s

Shiraz gin gets a silly season makeover with the addition of cherries and a sprinkling of mint. The spring water in this gin even has a snowy past. - $85

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Pomegranate Gin By Cedar Fox

Pomegranates naturally look like festive baubles, so it’s little wonder some traditions call for the glossy fruits to be hung over doorways at this time of year for luck. I prefer to drink ‘em. The latest in Cedar Fox’s experimental series is a Pomegranate Gin they hint may be their best ever drop! With its subtle blush colour, I’ll be adding this one to a glass of fizz with a splash of fresh Pom juice and a smattering of ruby arils to create a very merry Xmas Eve cocktail. - $85

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Aussie Christmas Tonic Syrup By The Cure Tonics

Turn any G&T (or V&T, R&T or T&T) into a festive G&T with this limited release tonic syrup. You could even add a little to chilled flutes of local sparkling to spice up your New Year's toasts. - $30

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Gingerbread Gin By The Craft & Co

Have a fiddly gingerbread house to decorate or 1,000 gingerbread people to ice? The Craft & Co has just the thing to see you through the task. This gin positively glows thanks to a liberal dose of ginger root, fragrant nutmeg, cinnamon and chocolate-y tonka. This one makes me swear I’ve been a good girl this year. - $85

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Christmas Sweetheart Gin By Darby Norris

A playful gin the distillers say tastes like lollies, still with the requisite juniper hit! - $84

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Christmas Pudding Gin By Fossey’s

Fossey’s take on a Xmas gin infuses their spirit with plum puddings made according to a long-time family recipe brought over from the UK. Locally grown and dried fruits are the secret to the pudding these days and therefore the gin too. - $75

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Australian Christmas Gin By Four Pillars

If you’re a regular DrinkMelbourne reader, you’ve probably already tasted Four Pillars’ famed seasonal gin before. Distilled with puddings made to the distiller’s mum’s exacting vintage recipe, their gin is aged in century-old Muscat barrels and a good slug of the sweet wine is added for good measure. The labels feature collectable artworks that change with each release. Better buy two. - $100

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Gingle Bells Gin Baubles By Wild Hibiscus Flower Co

These drinkable decorations are bursting with six different floral gin flavours plus edible flowers. I foresee tipsy tree trimming in your near future. - $79

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Christmas Gin Pack By Gintonica

When you simply can't decide which Australian christmas gin to pop on your wishlist to St. Nick, Gintonica comes to the rescue! Try a quintet of festive flavours from five Aussie distilleries.

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Sour Cherry Liqueur By Happenstance

The distillers hand-picked cherries from the Adelaide Hills for this lip-smacking liqueur. A healthy splash of this would make Prosecco put on its party outfit immediately. And with a label that looks this gorgeous, you won't even need to gift wrap it. - $60

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Cherry Gin By Hurdle Creek Still

The deep scarlet of this one comes from steeping Eldorado Orchard fruits in a gin spiked with cassia and lemon myrtle. - $95

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Dark Cacao Liqueur By Hurdle Creek Still

Because the festive season is about indulgence, you should add more than a hint of chocolate to your party menu. Peruvian cocao nibs and vanilla make this one a tempting night cap. - $80

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Cherry Liqueur By Hurdle Creek Still

Using the same cherries as the ones that are packed into their Cherry Gin, this fruity take is for your family members who like the sweeter things in life. - $60

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Darkest Winter Whisky By Limeburners

Though most of us in Australia experience t-shirt weather during December, it’s fun to imagine a white Xmas spent cosying up by a crackling fireplace with woollen sweaters and mugs full of something steamy. It’s in that spirit that Limeburners’ multi-award-winning, smoky single malt feels festive. Save this special one for sharing with someone you really love or toasting the new year ahead. - $334

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Amber Spiced Gin By Manly Spirits

This glowing drop features earthy vanilla, citrus and spices plus a touch of cascara (the husks of coffee fruit) that must equate to a warm hug in your glass. May all your celebrations be this golden. - $95

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Moore’s We Three Kings Gin By Distillery Botanica

I'm a sucker for a bit of glitz and kitsch at Xmas time. This pudding-infused gin appeals to that urge with bonus gold, frankincense and myrrh added to the recipe. Gimme! - $98

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Moreau Apple Pie Liqueur By Mobius

Basically bottled apple pie! Made from apples the distiller plucked themselves by hand from the orchard, this one’s scented with vanilla, cinnamon and contains a secret ingredient (just like nanna's pie always seemed to have). It was just named best liqueur in the nation at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards. - $75

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Cherry Gin By Noble Bootleggers

And the cherry gin options just keep coming. Noble Bootlegger's version has notes of rose, a sweet perfume. and a dry finish Image by Amanda Koh. - $65

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Australian Native Honey Spiced Liqueur By My Brother

Local Leatherwood honey - with a sidekick in native citrus - is the hero of this brand new tipple. Only around 500 bottles available from batch one. Share it with your brother or you sister or your nan. - $89

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Christmas Pudding Gin By Noble Bootleggers

Noble Bootleggers soak real puddings in their gin for months to make this small batch drop. Sip it with ginger ale. Image by Amanda Koh. - $70

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Giselle Pavlova Gin By Nosferatu

Xmas just isn't complete without a pillowy, cloud-like pav. This gin captures the essence of the iconic dessert with hints of vanilla, cream and caramelised sugar. - $82

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Xmas Negroni By Poor Toms

No fuss Xmas Eve drinks are sorted in an instant with this take on the classic Negroni. Pudding-y butter, spices and fruits are added to the traditional recipe of amaro, vermouth and gin for this cocktail. - $59

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Brandy Trio By Sullivans Cove

Since the silly season is all about excess, here's something rather special to flame over your pudding and stir into custard. Or sip these 8 year+ aged brandies neat and leave the fireworks for NYE. - $270

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Christmas Pudding Gin By Swan Valley Gin Co

This one's exclusively a cellar door release only so you'll have to ask your friends in Perth to play Kris Kringle for you. Mix with gin or tonic and garnish with a slice of juicy orange and a cinnamon stick. - $75

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Spiced Cumquat Gin By Swan Valley Gin Co

There's just something about the combined perfume of citrus and sweet spices like star anise and clove that shouts "Christmas." - $80

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Corn Mash Whiskey Maple Syrup By The Grove

This whiskey is infused in the barrel with legit maple syrup imported from Canada. Do I need to say more? How about "Maple Old Fashioneds while you watch the kids unwrap their presents"? - $65

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Ginger Bear Gin By Tiny Bear

From one of my favourite little distillers comes a trio of wildly popular Xmas gins. The first, is gingerbread-spice inspired. - $85

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Turkish Delight Liqueur By The Grove

Good grief, how much would we all like to wake up to Turkish Delight liqueur in our stockings come Xmas morning. Pass around the Rose's choccy tin and little glasses of this to make any family celebration run smoothly. - $65

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Christmas Pudding Gin By Tiny Bear

Cranberries, currants, apricots - oh my! Juniper makes friends with heady fruits and a touch of marzipan and spice for this gin. - $85

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Naked Dark Cacao Liqueur By White Possum

Here's to a bittersweet confection the kids can't pilfer. Made with organic fermented cacao; so this is basically a superfood to offset all the roast turkey we scoffed, right? - $52

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Australian Summer Gin By Tiny Bear

Summer in Melbourne could be as hot as Hades or as wet as St Kilda Beach at high tide. But we'll still spend as much time in the backyard. as possible. This gin tastes like that alfresco in December life with native citrus, macadamia and florals. - $85

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Naked Hazelnut Liqueur By White Possum

The big day isn't really done until granddad starts cracking into that oversized bowl of nuts still in their shells. He'd probably love this as a gift from you (and would never go back to Frangelico, again!) - $52

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Christmas Pudding Gin By Wolf Lane

This is definitely a Queenslander's welcome take on the jolly season. Tropical mango and macadamia balance out classic cinnamon leaf and vanilla pickled cherries. Yes please, Santa - $79

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Christmas Cocktail Set By Archie Rose

Shamelessly embrace the kitsch. Archie Rose offers a bottled cocktail trio: a glittery Negroni, a gleaming golden Gimlet and spiced apple concoction of your pie-centric dreams. - $79

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Brookie’s Mac. By Cape Byron Distillery

You know someone's trying to impress their guests when the standard beer nuts get switched for macadamias at this time of year. Also impressive, this nutty confection laced with native wattleseed. Just yum. - $65

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Candy Cane-Tini By Dilly Delly

Gift your beloved one of these minty cocktails before strategically steering them towards the mistletoe. Also perfect for giving to that tricky co-worker when HR forces you to do the Secret Santa thing. - $27.50

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Miss Maple Gin Liqueur By Barossa Distilling Co

Here's a sweet, Thanksgiving-esque treat to fill your stockings and your belly. The makers behind the maple laced beauty recommend pouring it over pancakes: Boxing Day brekkie sorted. Image by Julian Cebo. - $75

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Christmas Gin By Ginny Pig

"Like drinking Christmas Cake". "So aromatic I wanted to dab it behind my ears". "I ordered two!" With reviews like this you don't want to miss out. - $65

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Christmas Gin By McHenry

I'm a sucker for going all in on a theme. With real edible gold flakes, frankincense and myrrh (does anybody know what myrrh is, let alone how to spell it on the first try?), McHenry’s Christmas Gin in its bottle looks like a rather grown-up snow globe. Try it in a fancy martini for xmas eve cocktail hour. - $99

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Spiced Fig By Ginny Pig

Who needs figgy pudding when you have this spicy, fruit gin? Fig laced with cinnamon, ginger and cloves makes for a rich drop. - $65

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All Seasons Gin Liqueur By Imbue

Everyone deserves a touch of sweetness in their lives, especially at this time of year! Imbue delivers with this richly golden-hued aged liqueur, drenched with locally-sourced honey and spiced with heady anise. What a welcome sight a few bottles of these would be on a feast-laden table. Image by Stefen Pederson. - $75

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Ethopia Single Origin Coffee Liqueur Mr Black

A special, sustainable, limited release for the for caf-fiends in your life. The makers say it has notes of zesty marmalade and toasty hazelnuts which puts it firmly in Christmas-in-my-coffee-cup mode. Might just pour it straight on my Boxing Day pancakes and waffles. - $69.99

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Pavlova Vodka By Old Youngs

This vodka is an homage to the classic pavlova. Expect meringue, summer fruits (passionfruit, strawberry and kiwi, natch) and a merry old time. - $69.99

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Salted Caramel Gin By Rocky Jones

This gin draws caramel and vanilla flavours and a gorgeous toffee hue from being aged in French Oak barrels over months. Make golden martinis at midnight your New Year's resolution. - $82

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Dasher + Fisher Cherry Gin By Southern Wild

Hunting for something to go with roast Turkey lunch? Lovers of sloe gin will take to this warming tipple bursting with local cherries. It has a lower ABV that's closer to liqueur that a true gin (without the excessive sweetness) so no need for a post-feast nap... unless you want one. - $85

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Apple Pie Gin By The Craft & Co

You can't go wrong with pie spices, baked fruit and buttery pastry in liquid form. You could use this in place of excessive dessert or even to glaze your traditional ham! - $69

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Feliz Navidad Gin By Boatrocker

This gin certainly has its best party outfit on. Inspired by Christmas time in Mexico (and mole sauce!), it's brimming with notes of cocoa, coffee and even a little kick of jalapeno for good measure. - $100

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Bloody Merry Gin By Wildspirit

Save this zesty gin for breakfast on Boxing Day. It's destined to be the remedy to overindulgence the day before in a the gin version of a Bloody Mary - a Red Snapper. - $85

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Christmas Gin By Abel Gin Co

Loving the minimalist label of this gin - and your stylish best friend will too when they unwrap it. Inside the bottle you'll find new season summer cherries and subtle Xmas spices. - $80

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Spiced Coffee Liqueur By Logan’s

Packed with allspice, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla - not to mention a whole bunch of Cartel Coffee - I recommend sloshing a good amount of this liqueur into your hot choccie before cosying up for the night to await Santa's arrival. Ooh, or espresso eggnog perhaps? - $65

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Christmas Cask 2020 By Lark

This limited edition whisky is matured in ex-red wine barrels that have been used by a Tassie bakery to hold fruit jus used to make their annual fruit mince pies. Merry Xmas, indeed. - $235

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Winter Release Gin By Forty Spotted

This gin with dried figs, ruby grapefruit, cardamom and fresh ginger is aged in bourbon casks 'til golden. Makes me want to bake some cookies with those flavours immediately. - $90

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Spiced Cherry Gin By Logan’s

The appearance of piles of plump ruby cherries heralds the arrival of the silly season around here. So this limited-time release by Logan’s Micro Distillery, bursting with the red fruits and warming spices, is certainly of the season. This twist on a sloe gin makes for an instant dessert after a big roast lunch (actually, it would be perfect alongside a hearty helping of turkey during lunch too). - $70

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2020 Christmas Gin By Prohibition Liquor Co

Prohibition Liquor Co adds glace cherries and figs to the line-up of seasonally-appropriate spices in their limited time only gin. Won’t that hint of gleaming gold on the bottle look rather fancy under your tree come Xmas morn? - $125

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Christmas Dry Gin By The West Winds

Classic seasonal spices are complemented by nutty Christmas Bush Seeds from Western Australian in this orangey twist on a Christmas gin. - $69.99

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Turkish Delight Gin By That Spirited Lot

From featuring in Dickens to 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', Turkish Delight is intrinsically linked to Xmas. And now, this rosy, nutty treat is intrinsically linked to gin. - $35

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Pavlova Pornstar Cocktails By Curatif

This delicious cocktail (you'll probably have to fudge the name when you offer one to your gran to sip over her Xmas ham) gets a seasonal twist with the inclusion of Old Young's passionfruit pav-inspired vodka. Exclusively available to members of Curatif's 'The Club' this month. So buy yourself an early gift! $45 once-off or $40 per month.

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Maud’s Rhubarb & Violette Gin Liqueur By Little Lon

Little Lon Distilling Co's take on Christmas in Summer is completely different. Their limited edition rhubarb and violet-centric gin liqueur is like a hug from your nanna! An extra special gift as they only made 250 bottles ever. - $85

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Chin Chin Christmas Gin By Unexpected Guest

This unique distillery's signature London Dry gin is given a seasonal twist with the addition of ruby cranberries and warming cinnamon. This drop is limited edition so stock up now for those December end-of-year catch-ups. - $64.95

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White Christmas Gin By Winston Quinn

This time it's 6 ingredients found in nanna's White Christmas slice that inspire this gin's botanicals. Try guessing them all starting with cranberry. Only 300 bottles available! - $95

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