Neha Mehrotra
15-Oct-2025
Make every hour happy hour with these liquor gifts!
Your outfits are planned, your make-up is flawless, and your home is gleaming with festive décor — you’re all set for the annual round of poker nights and house parties. But wait — what about the gifts? If you’ve found yourself staring blankly at your screen, unsure what to take along (especially for those friends who seem to have everything), we’ve got you covered.
Enter the ultimate crowd-pleaser: a fine bottle of liquor. Whether it’s a smooth whisky, a crisp gin, or a rich rum, it’s a gift that’s always appreciated — and best enjoyed together. Here’s our pick of the 20 best spirits to gift your friends and family this Diwali — to uncork, pour, and share a toast (or two… or three!).
1. Pistola Añejo by Maya Pistola Agavepura
This Diwali, light up the celebrations with Asia’s first premium aged agave spirit — Pistola Añejo. Crafted from Wild Agave Americana grown in Indian soil and aged for over 14 months in Virgin American White Oak, Pistola Añejo unveils a deep gold-brown spirit with an inviting oaky nose of cocoa and dried figs layered over a subtle smokiness.
2. The Macallan A Night On Earth in Jerez
The Macallan presents a limited-edition single malt whisky as the ultimate Diwali gift. It pays tribute to the Spanish region where The Macallan’s cask journey begins and the tasting notes of pastry, grapes and anise draw inspiration from the Spanish custom of eating twelve grapes before the start of the New Year and the traditional Jerez pastry, Pestiños – a rich, fried dough with sugar and aniseed or honey.
3. SAMSARA Gin
SAMSARA is an Indian craft gin distilled in the London Dry method using eleven botanicals, including vetiver, rose petals, Himalayan seeds, and citrus. Produced sustainably in a women-led facility, the range includes the Classic, Pink, and Vale of Paradise editions.
4. Godawan Artisanal Single Malt
If your friend has a bar lined up with the best whiskies, then this award-winning Indian single malt is a great addition to their collection. Called the ‘Spirit of the Desert’, Godawan 01 Rich & Rounded offers indulgent layers of caramel and a buttery richness reminiscent of baklava, while Godawan 02 Fruit & Spice presents a brighter, sweeter profile with a distinctly fruity allure.
5. Chivas Regal 25
Crafted from the rarest 25-year-old Scotch whiskies, the Chivas 25 is the best gift for a whisky aficionado. Expect enticing aromas of sweet orange and peach, layers of marzipan and nuts, and a palate of rich chocolate orange with a creamy finish. Each cask is hand-selected and individually nosed, ensuring a whisky that’s smooth, rounded, and luxuriously long.
6. Juniper Bomb by Nao Spirits & Beverages
The best gift to give your loved ones this Diwali is undoubtedly a classic London Dry – and Juniper Bomb delivers just that. It is electric and feels like you’re biting straight into a plump Juniper Berry. The gin is bold and complex at first, with a finish of ripe lychees. Tastes best with lots of ice and tonic and no additional garnish!
7. The Glenwalk
The Glenwalk by Sanjay Dutt and Cartel Bros is the perfect gift for card parties and large gatherings. The premium Blended Scotch Whisky will give you hints of warming spice, treacle, and a pleasant, lingering buttery finish — everything you’d expect from a classic whisky experience.
8. ÄMARA Vodka
ÄMARA, India’s first artisanal pink vodka, from the makers of SAMSARA Gin, is a stylish choice for festive gifting or to add a splash of colour to your next card party soirée. It is crafted from Bangalore Blue Grapes and rice grains, infused with strawberries, passion fruit, peaches, citrus, and floral botanicals.
9. The GlenJourneys
To make a truly unforgettable impression, choose The GlenJourneys by actor and entrepreneur Ajay Devgn and Cartel Bros. Whether it's the rare Pioneer's Edition or the diverse Cask Series, the 21-year-old Single Malt Scotch is a gift redefined. The profile is rich: layers of velvety vanilla and ripe fruit, culminating in an elegant, mellow finish.
10. IDAAYA
The Himalayan sipping rum derives its unique character from 12-year-old rum aged in Bourbon casks and pure Indian rum, blended in a Solera system in Sal wood casks. On the nose, it gives a smooth caramel, vanilla, and spice with undertones of toasted oak and ripe fruits. When you sip it, expect layers of caramel, dark chocolate and toffee, followed by hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and toasted vanilla with a long and complex finish.
11. The Glenlivet Limited-Edition Festive Pack 2025
The Glenlivet welcomes the festive season with a limited-edition pack inspired by the valleys of Scotland. Featuring The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old and an exclusive travel pouch, it reflects the purity of the Livet River and the smooth, balanced character of this classic whisky — with notes of tropical fruits, vanilla and toffee balanced with hints of oak and fruit warmth.
12. Hendrick’s Gin
Hendrick’s Gin is a great gift for the cocktail enthusiast of your group! Infused with 11 botanicals and the combination of rose and cucumber, it's refreshingly smooth and the floral character (41.4% ABV) adds a depth of flavour and a curious twist to your drinking experience.
13. Monkey Shoulder
Monkey Shoulder makes the perfect festive pour. This bold yet balanced whisky blends Speyside’s finest single malts in small batches to deliver signature smoothness. It opens with zesty orange, mellow vanilla, and spiced oak, followed by rich honeyed sweetness and warm spice on the palate, finishing with a playful hint of peppermint.
14. Third Eye Distillery
If you are unsure what kind of spirit makes the perfect gift, Third Eye Distillery solves that for you. They offer ready-to-drink Indian cocktails, Stranger & Sons gin, a premium Indian gin known for its unique botanicals and for connoisseurs, the Sherry Cask Aged Gin offers luxurious depth with over a year of maturation in sherry casks, infused with wild honey and cascara, presented in forest-inspired packaging befitting a collector’s choice.
15. Smoke Lab Vodka
This festive season, gift an experience with Smoke Lab Vodka. Distilled five times from the finest locally sourced Basmati rice and refined through a two-step Sparkle Filtration process, Smoke Lab delivers unmatched smoothness and character in every pour. Crafted with conscious values like carbon-neutral, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher-certified and award-winning expressions like Classic, Aniseed, Green Chilli Mango and Saffron, Smoke Lab offers something for every celebration.
16. Bandarful
Playful, bold, and award-winning, Bandarful – India’s own cold-brew coffee liqueur is the perfect gift for coffee lovers and flavour adventurers alike. Brewed for over 22 hours with Chikmagalur Arabica beans, farm-bred cane sugar, and Himalayan spring water, it’s rich, smooth, and unapologetically Indian.
17. Bonga Bonga Mystery Liqueur
For your friends who love something unconventional, Bonga Bonga should be your choice. Made with over 40 botanicals spanning Indian spices and European herbs, it is designed to be enjoyed as a chilled shot at -10°C. The uniquely designed bottle features a built-in infuser for personalised flavour experiments and can be reused, making it an interactive, youthful, and memorable present for anyone who enjoys creativity and playfulness.
18. Dram Bell Premium Collection Whisky
A smooth and blended scotch whisky that feels like an embrace. Layered with honey, chocolate, and hints of cooked apple, it leads into a palate of caramel, toasted pecan, and a touch of fudge, making it a warm hug in a glass, a perfect choice for intimate celebrations.
19. Chandon Limited-Edition Celebration Pack
Not a spirit, but Chandon India’s Limited-Edition Celebration Pack is your perfect festive partner. With this pack, you have the option to choose between Chandon Brut and the Chandon Rosé. Paired with a stylish Chandon flute, this pack is more than a festive gesture – it’s a piece of India’s award-winning craftsmanship.
20. Bushmills 21 Year Old
A masterpiece of Irish whiskey craftsmanship, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt is luxury in a bottle. Matured in Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks for 19 years, and then finished in rare Madeira casks, it offers a layered tapestry of dried fruit, toasted nuts, and warm spice.
21. Tenjaku Japanese Whisky
Graceful and refined, Tenjaku embodies the artistry of Japanese whisky-making. Aged in seasoned Kentucky bourbon barrels and inspired by the purity of Mount Fuji’s waters, it offers a smooth, full-bodied experience that’s both modern and timeless. The ideal bottle to gift — or keep for yourself.
Cover Credits: Freepik
