Isaac's Annual Gift Giving Guide

This year for my Gift Giving Guide, "Classic" is the theme. Classics never go out of style and are sure to impress the boozehound you're buying for. OK, the truth is that this is my own Christmas wish list, so people take note!

Expensive ($50 or more)
Thomas H. Handy Rye Whiskey
Forget about throwing another log on the fire. This one is going to set fire to your log. (OK, even I don't exactly know what that means.) High proof and proud, this Rye is rich, confectionary and spicy--a great addition to the Antique Collection.

Not Cheap ($50 or less)
Monogrammed Shaker
Oh yeah, baby. Style and function. Plus it's nice to see your initials in steel. Williams Sonoma will let you preview your personalized shaker. Check it out.

Cheap($20 or less)
Waldorf Astoria Bar Book by A.S. Crockett
Classic cocktail recipes, lore and history. And you thought you had to hang around old used book stores to get your hands on a gem like this. After you give the bar book as a gift, make sure you follow up with your mixologist-in-the-making to see what he or she has been trying out. Maybe even sample a few yourself. This is the gift that keeps on giving.

Dirt Cheap ($10 or less)
Homemade Grenadine
Grenadine has multiple uses from kiddie drinks to ice cream topping. But there's no better use than in a classic cocktail like the Blinker. The problem is most people don't know the delicious tart and sugary red sap from the juice in an empty bottle of maraschino cherries. Teach through example.

Peanuts ($5 or less)
Fee Brother's Lemon Bitters
Get off easy and help people make better drinks at the same time. I collect bitters so this is a no-brainer. Lemon is my next purchase unless my Mom reads this blog and is looking for a stocking stuffer (wink, wink).