Spring Gift Guides:
Celebrating Spring with the traditions of Pappy Van Winkle: Gifting!
Spring is the season of entertaining and special occasions - which means spring is also the season of gifting! With holidays and seasonal events ranging from Easter to Mother’s Day, from graduations to baby showers, and everything in between - and of course, spring is usually the kick-off to a very busy wedding season too. In Kentucky, spring also happens to be almost wholly dedicated to another holiday that really needs its own designation - Derby Season! (Read more about Kentucky Derby Season here).
Fortunately for us, since we love entertaining and the celebration of time honored family traditions, we love springtime. So much so, that it was one of driving forces behind our motivation to launch our own company that was dedicated to honoring, sharing and creating collections designed to invite effortless entertaining. It just so happens that those same collections make great gifts!
We do happen to love gifting and we wouldn't be surprised if we happened to share that as a common love language. While gift giving can often feel like a challenging prospect for many, with finding just the right thing for the right person (especially when you have someone especially difficult to shop for) overwhelming. We tend to approach gifting the same way we approach product development in general - what will bring joy - to the recipient and the giver! While that may seem overly simplified - we actually think the the less you stress over the gifting the easier and more meaningful it is. Surely the expression “its the thought that counts” has been tossed around with such frequency that it hardly holds meaning anymore. We keep that concept in mind, but it’s more in line with - if there is something that brings you joy - it is likely to bring others joy as well!
Our spring gifting suggestions range from our own (spoiler alert to anyone in our own lives who have received or are sure to receive some of these items) as well as ideas for some of the major springtime gift giving holidays: Mother's Day, Wedding Season, Graduation, and yes…even (and especially) Derby!
Pappy & Company: Founder's Favorites Gift Guide for Spring
Louise: No surprise here - I tend to give gifts from the category I’d most like to receive (and that I use most often) - yup, gourmet related! It is well known that the most frequently gifted item from my family to others (as well as most enjoyed in our own house) come from our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Gourmet collection. MFG (most frequently gifted) would easily be our Pappy & Company Bourbon Balls and our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pure Maple Syrup. After all, those are the closest you can get to the true flavor of the bourbon!
Personal touch - One of my favorite gifts to give - as a hostess gift, a birthday gift, Mother's Day, Bridal Shower...you get the gist - is a favorite product or two with a hand-written recipe card alongside featuring one of my favorite recipes or ways to use the item I'm gifting. This elicits memories of rifling through the passed down recipe cards - well worn and well loved - with our grandmother's curlicued lettering adorning the recipe card - often with notes scribbled along the edges by generations of family who've made their own additions and changes, or even stained corners that indicate the most frequently used ones.
Sharing a gift with someone who has recently had a baby, is going through something, has recently lost a loved one or just someone who is in your thoughts for simply no other reason at all than that they are - I'll make a favorite baked good, bottle a marinade or a craft cocktail, and share along with the gifted recipe card and gourmet item they can use to recreate it. After all, we share love through food, in good times and bad.
For newlyweds/graduates: Set them up for this next phase of life with a set of glassware inspired by the traditions and legacy of entertaining we inherited from Pappy Van Winkle, and a complementary selection of gourmet itemsto for a well stocked bar. Try ourNick and Nora Cocktail Glassesor ourSignature Keys Coupe Cocktail Glasses for a classic and sophisticated style with retro vibes that will invite and encourage celebration, along with our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Kentucky Sour Mixer for a truly versatile list of craft cocktails and endless flavor. Go truly traditional with a set of our Old Fashioned Glasses , either ourKey Etched Crystal Double Old Fashioned Glasses orPappy & Company Double Old Fashioned Rocks Glasses and Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned Mixer - no home bar is complete without it. Add a jar of our Orasella Cherries to complete the package. Select one of your favorite recipes to include alongside our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pepper Sauce,Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pure Maple Syrup or Spicy Maple Syrup. Need some recipe inspiration - check out some of our favorites here.
Carrie: Since we live in the mountains of Idaho, I’m often inspired by nature and our surroundings to select gifts that we can use outside or that encourage outdoor gatherings celebrating together. Gifting things from our own collection means we know the time and effort and consideration that went into creating these items - specifically for these moments - and we are so happy to share them when we know how long we worked to make them perfect for this very moment.
Gifts that never go out of style:
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel Smoking Chunks: anyone who enjoys cooking or grilling out (or enjoys the results when someone else does) our smoking chunks are made from genuine retired Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels to infuse your grilled specialties with the signature and uniquely sweet and smoky char of our barrel staves. Paired with our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pepper Sauce or Syrup encourage cooking and crafting new flavors together.
I love the versatility of our Everyday Heirlooms Big Van Cooler - use it as a wine cooler for your outdoor gatherings or fill it with wildflowers from your garden for a quick and beautiful impromptu display.
The Julian Jigger or Big Van Shaker make a really thoughtful and elegant gift - something everyone from newlyweds to graduates will enjoy and a nice nod on Father's Day, Mother's Day and, yes, even Derby Day! This is truly a must have for a well appointed bar! Glassware is always an easy gift - especially if you know someone's g-to-drink and can select the glassware that will enhance their Pappy Hour enjoyment! Pair it with a mixer or some ice molds for a ready to celebrate bar station!
Chenault: I love finding unique gifts that highlight the special and personal nature of gift giving. Our Made from Barrelscollection is especially poignant for that reason. These are items crafted from retried Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels - giving them a new life and a new purpose. Therefore, while it may be the same product, they are all completely unique and special because no two items are alike. I especially love our versatile cutting boards and trays that have rugged charm and so many uses. Cutting board, bar tray, charcuterie board, these are really a multi-function all-in-one gift that is still heartfelt and unique! They also look great on your counter or bar. Our new vases can also be used as candle holders and our chef's knife or bar knife with a barrel stave crafted handle is a really rustic, elegant and useful gift for a chef or anyone who enjoys hosting and entertaining!
Pappy & Company: Gift Guide - Spring Events
Wedding Season
Wedding Gifts/Wedding Showers (go off registry without risk)
Glassware - Elevated, sophisticated and versatile glassware inspired by some of our favorite Pappy Hour craft cocktails and traditions.
Barware & Accessories - Accessories and more to give the newlyweds a stocked bar and entertaining essentials to start their new life!
Everyday Heirlooms Collection - Start their own collection of treasured heirloom pieces for generations to come!
Made from Barrels Collection - Unique and handcrafted gifts and home accessories for a personal and signature Pappy Van Winkle touch.
Groomsmen gifts:
Signature Pappy Van Winkle Tradition and Pappy Van Winkle Barrel-Fermented Cigars & Pappy Van Winkle inspired Cigar Accessories - A great way to show you appreciate them standing up for you on your big day!
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned Mixer with a set of Old Fashioned Glasses - A Pappy Hour worthy celebration.
Wedding Gift Bags or Welcome Bags:
Bourbon Balls - A gourmet treat that is a perfect celebratory welcome - especially in the Bluegrass state, but anywhere where traditions are celebrated and flavor is appreciated!
Gourmet Treats (from Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Nib Brittle to Ghost Pepper Caramels - we have something for every sweet or spicy tooth)
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pepper Sauce - Subtly sweet and spicy to set the tone for a celebratory weekend!
Mini Old Fashioned Mixer - Individual ready-to-mix and ready-t0-serve five packs of our fan-favorite Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned Mixer are a perfect wedding weekend addition to invite celebration!
Mother's Day:
Coupe Cocktail Glasses - A throwback design crafted to inspire a gorgeous and relaxed Pappy Hour. Cheers to Mom!
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Kentucky Sour Mixer - for a uniquely crafted Pappy Hour and versatile craft cocktail options for the mom of many tastes!
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pure Syrup - Our OG gourmet favorite delights everyone's tastebuds. Makes a great marinade, cocktail and dessert - essentially it multi-tasks...just like mom!
Bourbon Balls - Bourbon, chocolate and pecans make for a specially indulgent treat for mom! (Just please, don't ask her to share!)
Everyday Heirlooms - A hand-crafted treasure from this unique collaboration is sure to make her feel special!
Pappy Van Winkle Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup & Heirloom Cornmeal: Our Heirloom cornmeal makes a delicious addition to any chef's kitchen - for Fried Green Tomatoes or a Pappy Van Winkle inspired cornbread!
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Coffee: For the mom who enjoys her morning retreat, give it a barrel-aged flavor boost for an extra special morning.
Cutting boards/trays/Vases- Unique homeware and accessories crafted from our retired Pappy Van Winkle barrels! Unique, special, treasured - just like mom!
Father's Day
Old Fashioned Glasses - Classics never go out of style, even if your dad's fashions already did. Add our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned Mixer for foolproof cocktails every single time.
Tall Tumblers - a sturdy go-to for a summer cocktail.
Cigars- Give him the gift of peace, and quiet for a tranquil and luxurious cigar break - find his new favorite or regular go-to from our collection of Pappy Van Winkle inspired Tradition or Pappy Van Winkle Barrel-Fermented cigars.
Cigar Accessories - Gift him what he needs for a proper cigar collection and ultimate enjoyment. Designed to accompany and elevate the Pappy Van Winkle cigar experience.
Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Stave Smoking Chunks - For the Dad who likes to grill (or just enjoys the peace and quiet of being outside alone)
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pepper Sauce or Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Spicy Maple Syrup - Spice up his grilling or his cocktails with a subtle kick of Pappy Van Winkle infused heat.
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged 23-Year Maple Syrup - a true indulgence, this pure maple syrup is aged in retired 23-Year Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels for an infusion of true Pappy flavor.
A custom chef or bar knife hand crafted from retired Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel stave is a sophisticated yet ruggedly handsome addition to your home kitchen or bar.
Bourbon Balls - These little bits of bourbon, chocolate and pecan bliss are a ready made celebration!
Hats/Tees - Give him the gift of gear - upgrade his hat and tee collection with comfort and style that even the most critical teenager would approve!
Barrel Heads - really want to go for the gold - select a genuine Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel Head for the ultimate collector's item.
Jigger - A sleek and sophisticated jigger, modeled after Julian Van Winkle's beloved silver jigger, deserves a spot on Dad's bar.
Everyday Heirlooms - For the master mixologist, or just one who wants their bar to look like one - a modern shaker for perfect at home craft cocktails.
Graduation:
Gifts that celebrate and encourage continued celebrations for the graduate as they step into their next phase of life!
Everyday Heirlooms - Celebration worthy, heirloom quality, treasured pieces to start their own collection.
