It’s not always easy to pick a Holiday gift that will be welcome, appreciated, and enjoyed. Clothes may not fit, personal taste in books is hard to read, stuff for the house doesn’t always work out, kitchen gadgets may not be useful, but I think everyone appreciates a gift of something to eat or drink.

This year I’m focusing on spirits as I look over my gift-giving list. Whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, vermouth, cordials, tequila and more – the choice is endless. Imported or local, big brand or artisanal, popularly priced or prestige, there is something for everyone.

Now that cocktails have made a comeback, there is an explosion of brands from producers both large and small. Get an interesting bottle or put together a couple of selections that are the makings of a signature cocktail and your gift will be wellcome.

Artisanal distillers are popping up all over the country, while the established brands are expanding their product lines to reach into every area of interest. Tuttletown Spirits is a successful small batch distillery in the Hudson Valley with an an extensive array of Hudson brand Whiskies along with Half Moon Gin, vodka, bitters and cordials that are widely available in our state.

Moonshine is a new and fast-growing category of corn-based whiskey. Onyx, a small distillery in East Hartford, makes moonshine in several flavors: classic, clear Moonshine, barrel-aged Private Label, higher-proof Onyx 111, and Cape Cod Cranberry. I recently tasted Black Button Mill moonshine from the Rochester, NY area – delicious but not distributed in Connecticut. If you have any friends or family up that way, get them to send you (and me) a bottle.

Bourbon is the quintessential American whiskey, strongly linked to Kentucky, but distilled anywhere in the US. It’s made with a minimum of 51% corn in the mash, aged in new charred oak barrels, with each brand having its own distinctive flavor and story. Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage is an excellent example at a reasonable price, delicious to sip or great for mixing in cocktails.

Bourbon brands each have their own production methods and flavor profiles. Often there are several variations within each brand. For example, at a Stew Leonard’s tasting recently, The Woodford Reserve was crisp, fresh and lively with smooth wood flavors. The Woodford Reserve Double Oaked spent an extra year in the barrel and was noticeably different, with a richer rounder mouth-coating flavor that invited sipping. At the same table, I tasted Jack Daniel’s Sinatra: delicious to savor; rich with caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar flavors; a very unique whiskey experience, and at $170.00 a bottle, a very special gift.

Bourbon is branching out with new flavors and aging techniques. Angels Envy, for instance, is finished in Port Wine barrels for added flavor and complexity. At around $45.00 it’s a delicious and memorable gift. At the other end of the spectrum, Pappy Van Winkle is the white unicorn of the Bourbon world, much discussed, never seen, coveted by enthusiasts. Sometimes offered by lottery, the highly allocated bottles range from $70.00 to $250.00 depending on age – if you can find it.

As you can see, as whiskeys get older they get more expensive. The cost of storing them for years without any money coming in and the portion lost to evaporation (the angels share) all need to be paid for.

A bottle of Vermouth will make your Bourbon gift into a cocktail party – think Manhattans. A good Italian sweet Vermouth like Martini & Rossi is great. Dolin French Vermouth is another good one. Of course, there are artisanal American Vermouths like Vya from California for a west coast interpretation.

There are also small batch bitters and other cocktail condiments to add interest. Craig at World of Beverage on Main Ave. suggests The Bitter Truth from Germany or Fee Brothers, which comes in Orange, Old Fashioned Aromatic, Celery, Lemon, and Black Walnut infusions. Ask him for pairing suggestions and cocktail recipes. When checking out there the other day, the customer ahead of me was buying a bottle of Solerno Blood Orange liqueur from Sicily to make his family’s favorite mixed drink. Unfortunately, I didn’t get his recipe. There are hundreds of fruit and herb based liqueurs that are great to give or get.

A good mixology book will round out the cocktail gift package. David Talbot of the Liquid Library website (www.liquidlibrary.net) recommends The PDT Cocktail Book by Jim Meehan. Based on the recipes at New York’s PDT speakeasy, the lavishly illustrated book covers the current craft cocktail craze with recipes, how to, and a behind the scenes look at a hip New York bar.

Brandy is a favorite with me. Kelt Tour du Monde VSOP Cognac is a winner with an enticing nose and smooth finish. It’s sent on a round-the-world cruise from France, via the Suez Canal, China and Panama Canal to hasten the aging process. I like to imagine this trip as I sip the Cognac Père Magloire Calvados has a lovely apple aroma and a warming finish, perfect for cold weather. Fruit brandies from Connecticut’s

Fruit brandies on display at New Canaan Wine Merchants

Westford Hill Distillers make a local, delicious and different gift, too.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be offered a taste of your gift over the holiday season, so choose carefully and consider your preferences when picking your holiday spirits gift. Cheers!