Christmas Gift Guide 2024: Food & Drink Ideas

Hennessy Very Special Founder Edition

Neat, over ice by the fire or in a festive cocktail, Hennessy is guaranteed to add a touch of luxury and indulgence this Christmas.

Treat someone special to the the rich warmth and enduring sophistication of this classic cognac via the new Hennessy Very Special (VS) Founder’s Edition (€41.00), a limited-run bottle designed by Irish artists Maser and Conor Harrington to mark the 300th birthday of Hennessy’s Irish founder, Richard Hennessy.

For some other Hennessy ideas...

Hennessy V.S.O.P (€72.35), meanwhile, sees strength meet smoothness with a bright and shimmering mahogany appearance, with its long-lasting finish being testament to the quality of the cognac itself. If you’re really looking to make an impression, look no further than the deep, complex extra old Hennessy X.O (€205.50). First created in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy for his circle of friends, scents of candied fruit combine with a subtle, lightly spicy nose, giving X.O its unmistakable aroma.

NearyNógs Irish Chocolate Collection

These artisanal chocolate bars are blended with locally sourced ingredients to create an array of uniquely delectable treats that make great stocking stuffers. Our favourite flavours include the crispy Soda Bread, with toasted morsels, or the gorse flower and seaweed-infused Dulaman bar, which recalls a brisk cliff walk on the coast.

nearynogs.com

Season’s Eatings from Nourish Health Stores

Looking for a delicious Christmas gift that won’t cost the earth? In the run-up to the big day, Nourish have once again launched their popular Vegan Selection Box – a curated collection of seasonal treats. Featuring an exciting array of flavours, it makes for both a luxurious and earth-friendly gift, and comes complete with festive packaging. Priced at just €12.95, the Vegan Selection Box features six mouth-watering chocolates – all gluten-free, dairy-free and 100% vegan.

You’ll find plenty of other gift options at Nourish too, like Nobo’s Roasted Pistachio Spread, Harry’s Nut Butter Chocolate Truffles, and Booja Booja Organic Chocolate Truffles – perfect as stocking fillers, or as a little indulgence during the holiday break…

You can explore the full range at Nourish.ie, or in any of their 21 stores across Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Naas and Tralee.

Saint Tola Divine Farmhouse Cheese

Make the most of your holiday charcuterie boards with this whipped, melt-in-the-mouth goat’s cheese from the Saint Tola fromagers. A perfect addition to any spread, the aptly-titled ‘Divine’ cheese packs a delicate blend of fresh, lemony and floral undertones made with pasteurised milk and vegetarian rennet.

Available at Sheridans Cheesemongers, Lotts & Co, Supervalu and more

Moët & Chandon

There’s hardly a more fitting way to mark the Christmas festivities and ring in the New Year than raising a glass of one of the world’s iconic Champagnes.

An undisputed standard bearer, Moët & Chandon embodies the magic of this time of year, making it the perfect gift for your holiday gatherings, whether it’s the timeless signature Brut Impérial (€61); the radiant, pink and enticing Rosé Impérial (€68.45); their most recent vintage and newly debuted Grand Vintage 2016 (€88.60), or the sweet and fruity Ice Impérial (€78.25) - the first and only champagne especially created to be enjoyed over ice.

Bushmills Irish Whiskey

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a tipple and Bushmills’ finely-aged single malt whiskeys are the ideal choice for a holiday toast, ranging from the classic Bushmills 10 Year Old, the triple casked Bushmills 16 Year Old, the iconic Bushmills 21 Year Old and newly-added Bushmills 14 Year Old, which is matured in bourbon barrels before being exclusively finished in Muscat of Alexandria white wine casks.

If you’re looking to tick off the wishlist for the whiskey fanatic in your life, Bushmills have also unveiled a line of elegant collector’s items, from the Swig Harris Tweed Hip Flask and Tuath Whiskey Glass, to the hand-cut Belfast Crystal Decanter and rustic Celtic Knotwork Tumblers.

bushmills.com

You can read the full 2024 Gift Guide in the new issue of Hot Press – out now, and available to order online below: