10 super sippable gifts from around the world

Travelling might be limited right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a few of our favourite things about visiting other countries.

The food and drinks are among what we look forward to most, and this season, you’ll want to experience different beer, wine, and spirits from around the globe — even if it’s from the living room.

BC Liquor Stores have you covered with so many great gift giving ideas from around the globe. Here are ten items from ten countries to satisfy the traveller on your list.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Gift Pack – Ireland

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Gift Pack/BC Liquor Stores

Gunpowder tea is a dried, green tea with herbaceous, earthy flavours. Drumshanbo mixed this tea with Irish botanicals to infuse their gin, and distilled it by hand in copper pots. Smell the Cliffs of Moher and taste the Ring of Kerry in every sip.

Suntory Toki Blended Japanese Whisky – Japan

Suntory Toki Blended Japanese Whisky/BC Liquor Stores

Suntory whisky comes from the globally acclaimed Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Chita distilleries. The Toki is a vivid blend of silky whiskies, creating a subtly sweet product with a spicy finish. “It’s Suntory time.” It’s what Bill Murray’s character says into the camera in Sofia Coppola’s Japan-set film Lost in Translation. We agree, and what a nice holiday movie to watch.

Belvedere Bespoke Silver Saber Vodka – Poland

Belvedere Bespoke Silver Saber Vodka/BC Liquor Stores

This is one of the coolest bottles you could ever hope to wrap up. The Bespoke Silver Saber vodka is a collectible bottle with an LED base so it lights up on your back bar like a Christmas tree. Belvedere has been making Polish vodka for over 600 years, and inside this exciting bottle is the always quadruple-distilled, perfectly balanced vodka.

Adictivo Extra Añejo Tequila – Mexico

Adictivo Extra Añejo Tequila /BC Liquor Store

Adictivo Tequila comes in a beautifully twisted bottle to make beautifully twisted cocktails, like margaritas or palomas. Or, drink it straight, because this Extra Añejo is 100% pure Blue Agave, making for a smooth and flavourful tequila spirit. Sip or shake this tequila with rich, roasted flavours and sweet aromas.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky – United Kingdom

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky/BC Liquor Stores

In every 10,000 casks, only one will have the elusive quality, character, and flavour to wear the infamous Blue Label. Blended from Scotland’s rarest and most exceptional whiskeys, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an unrivalled masterpiece. As soon as you crack the seal, you’ll be transported straight to the Scottish Isles.

Tania & Vincent Carême Terre Brûlée Chenin Blanc – South Africa

Tania & Vincent Carême Terre Brûlée Chenin Blanc/BC Liquor Stores

South Africa is a beautiful country that touches both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. If you were to travel there, you’d look for seafood. A white wine that would pair perfectly with fish, prawns, and scallops is the Tania & Vincent Carême Terre Brûlée Chenin Blanc. This crowd-pleasing wine delivers notes of honeysuckle and citrus, balanced by a bright and seamless acidity.

Mascota Uco Valley Unánime Gran Vino Tinto – Argentina

Mascota Uco Valley Unánime Gran Vino Tinto/BC Liquor Stores

This Mascota comes from the Uco Valley, widely considered the top wine region in Argentina. Its high elevation near the Andes mountains and hot, sunny days would make for a perfect trip for any wine enthusiast. Opening this blended red, with vanilla, mocha, cherry, and blackberry flavours, on Christmas morning will be just like visiting the famed region.

Burrowing Owl Meritage – BC VQA

Burrowing Owl Meritage/BC Liquor Stores

The Burrowing Owl Meritage is the flagship red for this Okanagan winery. Even if the Interior is close, it’s still a wonderful place to travel and one of the best wine regions in the world. This is a full-bodied blended red with aromas of cassis, red currant, and roasted red pepper. Finishing notes of baked spices and marzipan makes this a great choice for a holiday wine. 

Antinori Tignanello Toscana – Italy

Antinori Tignanello Toscana/BC Liquor Stores

This winery is one of Italy’s most important producers, which makes it one of the world’s most important. It’s the bottle you get for the person on your list who truly appreciates wine. With notes of plums, black-cherries, and sweet tobacco, this bottle is the closest you’ll get to bottling a trip to Italy.

Dom Pérignon Champagne Brut Vintage 2008 – France

Dom Pérignon Champagne Brut Vintage 2008/BC Liquor Stores

If there was ever a New Year’s Eve to go all out, it’s this year. Say “au revoir” to 2020 and ring in 2021 in style. Dom Pérignon was a Benedictine Monk, and we’ve all had monk-like patience waiting for this year to end. Gift this bottle to those on your list who wish they were in France instead this holiday season and encourage them crack to it at midnight just a few days later.

If you’re interested in learning more about international products (or the best ones here in BC), visit BCLiquorStores.com or follow @bcliquorstores on Instagram. Please enjoy responsibly.