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Holiday Gift Guide: Where to buy hard-to-find spirits for the hard-to-please

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Cyrene de la Rosa

<div><strong>APOTHEKE CRAFT SPIRITS CO.</strong></div><p>In partnership with well-established wine distributor Wine Warehouse, Apotheke strives to offer the best craft spirits and brew cocktail solutions for those passionate about their drinks. <em>Available in all Wine Depot stores, <a href="http://www.winedepot.com.ph">www.winedepot.com.ph</a>, IG @apothekecraftspirits</em></p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2018/13/1special.jpg"/></figure></div><div><strong>Michter’s US*1 Straight Bourbon </strong></div><p>This Bourbon is made from carefully selected mashbill that features the highest quality corn. It’s the number two top-trending American whisky brand globally according to the <em>2018 Drinks International</em> annual report.<em> P3,150 </em></p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2018/13/2special.jpg"/></figure></div><div><strong>William GB Extra Dry Gin </strong></div><p>This double gold medalist at San Francisco World Spirits is an extra dry gin that is best enjoyed in a GB G&amp;T. <em>P2,540</em></p><div><strong>Gin Sul Dry Gin </strong></div><p>A Hamburg gin with Portuguese roots, it’s elegantly rich in floral and citrus flavors. <em>P3,120</em></p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2018/13/3special.jpg"/></figure></div><div><strong>Crop Organic Artisanal Vodka </strong></div><p>This vodka was named Best Vodka at the New York World Wine &amp; Spirits Competition. You’ll love every sip of this sustainably made, light and clean, delicious vodka. <em>P2,410</em></p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2018/13/4special.jpg"/></figure></div><div><strong>Plantation Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum </strong></div><p>This rum is a tribute to the Reverend Stiggins character from Charles Dickens’ <em>Pickwick Papers</em>, whose favorite drink was pineapple rum. It won gold and Best in Class at the 2015 Miami Rum Festival, and scored 94 points in <em>Drinks International</em>. <em>P1,390</em></p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2018/13/5special.jpg"/></figure></div><div><strong>Tequila Ocho Reposado Loma Alta 2015 </strong></div><p>Ocho from Mexico is the first tequila to designate the year it was produced and precise field from which the agave was harvested, as is done with fine wines. It has been included in <em>Drinks International</em>’s Top 10 Tequila list for four years in a row. <em>P1,550</em></p><div><strong>Los Siete Misterios Espadin </strong></div><p>This Los Siete Mezcal hails from Sola de Vega, Oaxaca in Mexico. It was the silver medalist at The Polished Palate Spirits of Mexico 2011.<em> P3,400</em></p><div> </div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2018/13/6special.jpg"/></figure></div><div><strong>GRAND CRU WINES AND SPIRITS</strong></div><p>This company was established by three businessmen passionate about the broader wine and spirits world, with the objective of bringing exceptional quality, unique and innovative brands, small or big, to the Philippines. <em>(02) 518-0131, FB @GrandCruWinesAndSpirits </em></p><div><strong>Ardberg AN OA</strong></div><p>This Scotch whisky is matured in a combination of virgin oak, and Pedro Ximenez sherry and Bourbon barrels, then blended in a French oak vat before bottling. This is the first limited release (2017) from Ardberg after nearly a decade, and it is selling like hotcakes. <em>P4,395</em></p><div><strong>Penderyn Independence Single Malt</strong></div><p>This Welsh single malt whisky is finished in Madeira wine casks. At 41% ABV, this single malt is complex, yet well-balanced and enjoyable.<em> P2,500+ </em></p><div><strong>Lambay Irish Single Malt</strong></div><p><strong> </strong>This triple distilled malt whiskey from Ireland is crafted with Lambay Trinity well water and finished in select Maison Camus Cognac casks. <em>P2,000+</em></p><div> </div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2018/13/7special.jpg"/></figure></div><div><strong>CASK AND COMPANY</strong></div><p>This company specializes in odd and hard-to-find liquors, handpicked by its young and very knowledgeable owner who only sells premium bottles that he would drink himself. <em><a href="mailto:caskandcompanyph@gmail.com">caskandcompanyph@gmail.com</a></em></p><div> </div><div><strong>Nikka Yoichi NAS</strong></div><p>This one is for Japanese whisky fans looking for a good quality whisky at a relatively affordable price. It is a No Age Statement (NAS) whisky made of whiskies of various ages, aimed at representing this special distillery’s direct coal-heated, peated yet fruity style. <em>P3,000</em></p><div><strong>Blanton’s Single Barrel</strong></div><p>Drink like John Wick with this easy drinking Bourbon to drink and collect. The cork tops are collectible with different letters that spell out BLANTONS. <em>P3,500</em></p><div><strong>St. George Dry Rye Reposado</strong></div><p>Aged in ex-Syrah and Grenache casks, this gin is meant to be enjoyed neat. Suitable for the more advanced gin aficionado who is looking for something truly special. <em>P3,000</em></p><div> </div><div><em>Photos by Berwin Coroza</em></div><div><em>Styling by Butchie Peña</em></div><div><em>Follow the author on Instagram and Twitter @cyrenedelarosa</em></div>

<p>In search of exceptional spirits to give to the truly discerning, you can’t go wrong with any of these three specialty suppliers.</p>

In search of exceptional spirits to give to the truly discerning, you can’t go wrong with any of these three specialty suppliers.