How to Choose a Bourbon Gift that Feels Personal

Here's our practical bourbon gift guide for every kind of recipient.

First rule of thumb: you don’t have to be a bourbon lover to receive a bourbon gift.  

This is part of the reason why we began the Pappy & Company journey. Our family name is tied to four generations of bourbon lovers, but sometimes even Van Winkles reach for a glass of wine. The lifestyle of our brand means it goes beyond the bourbon to explore the reasons people gather around the good stuff. We toast to good times, to the people who surround us, to the past and to the future–bourbon is rooted in tradition and quality but that expands to so much more.

Really think about the recipient when you start to build your personalized bourbon gift.

What do they like? Do they have hobbies? Are you comfortable buying for their space or do you need something that feels more neutral? These are all questions to ask when you are on a mission to find the best and most unique bourbon gift. 

Next up, assign a budget!

The biggest part of creating a memorable gift is knowing your audience, but what about the occasion itself? What is appropriate? What feels over the top? Assign a budget so you can start to build your perfect bourbon gift that checks every box. And if you run out of time (or interest), just grab a box of our family’s favorite Bourbon Balls–they are a crowd-pleaser every time.

Lastly, follow the rule of three.

This means finding the main gift, adding on a secondary item and finishing it with a little something extra. It’s how you can truly personalize your bourbon gift for anyone!

Now that you have all of the working parts, let’s build a few bourbon gifts together!

For the foodie in your life:

• A Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Stave Salt Cellar

• Our new and delicious Bourbon Barrel Smoked Sea Salt 

• With a copy of Bourbon Land 
  

For the teacher’s pet:

• A must-read: Pappyland

• Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee, roasted in partnership with Good Folks of Louisville 

• Keys and Stripes Sock Set  (because you can never have enough)

For the hostess with the mostest:

• Try our Bloody Mary Mix with Barrel-Aged Ghost Pepper Mash  (We recommend always using bourbon for your bloody!)

• Paired with the essential Katie Van Sipping Spoon

• And a set Embroidered Linen Napkins

For an old fashioned thank you:

• Our very own Pappy Van Winkle Smoked Cocktail Kit

• Paired with an all-in-one Bourbon Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned Mixer

• And topped with a jar of Orasella Maraschino Cherries 

For the coffee table of the person who has everything:

• A versatile piece of Pappy history for candles and flowers alike: the Barrel Stave Vessel

• Alongside a set of Bourbon for Good Leather Coasters

• And the perfect conversation-starting book, But Always Fine Bourbon

(Our Bourbon for Good™ collection supports our family’s philanthropic contributions)