Bourbon has long been a gift of tradition, warmth, and camaraderie—perfect for holiday celebrations with family, friends, and colleagues. Whether you’re shopping for a corporate group, your closest friends, or a family gathering, bourbon and whiskey gifts offer endless opportunities for thoughtful and creative gifting. From highly personalized options to group-focused keepsakes, there’s something for every budget and level of effort.
(This content is inspired by our annual sponsor, J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery)
Gifting Bourbon in the Business World
For businesses, gifting is more than just a gesture of goodwill—it’s an opportunity to strengthen relationships. A custom bourbon bottle is the perfect way to express gratitude and appreciation to clients, employees, or partners.
Here are a few ways businesses can use custom bourbon bottles this holiday season:
- Client Appreciation: A custom bottle featuring your company’s logo alongside a warm holiday message shows clients you value their partnership.
Employee Recognition: Reward your team’s hard work with a personalized bottle that acknowledges their dedication. - Holiday Parties: Custom bottles can serve as centerpieces or prizes for holiday events, adding a touch of elegance to your celebrations.
By choosing a gift that aligns with your passion and the quality of your business, you reinforce your brand’s values and commitment to excellence while sharing the spirit of bourbon with others.
If you’re looking to give a standout bourbon gift to a group this year, here are six impressive ways to do it. Spoiler: J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery’s custom bourbon bottles combine luxury, ease, and wow-factor into the perfect solution for holiday gifting.
1. Custom Bourbon Bottles by J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery
When it comes to bourbon gifting for groups, J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery offers a robust and impressive solution. Their bespoke customization process allows you to create a one-of-a-kind gift for everyone on your list. With their process you’re able to customize several features of the bottle to make it your own.
J. Mattingly’s Double Staved™ bourbon provides an unparalleled flavor experience, and the customization options make it truly unique. You can personalize the bottle shape and label content! Customize the label with a heartfelt message, a fun title, or even individual names for each recipient. Add a wax seal in a color that fits your theme, such as festive red or elegant gold, and you’ve got a gift that’s as visually stunning as it is imminently drinkable.
The customization process is where J. Mattingly truly shines. You’re not just adding a name to a pre-designed label—you’re designing a bottle from top to bottom. This level of detail sets J. Mattingly apart, ensuring that each bottle feels like a bespoke masterpiece rather than just another holiday gift.
What makes J. Mattingly a great choice isn’t just the quality of their bourbon or the customization options—it’s the complete package. From start to finish, they make the process easy and stress-free, allowing you to focus on creating a meaningful gift. Their reputation for exceptional customer service ensures that your bottles will arrive on time, beautifully packaged, and ready to impress. Add to this their free shipping offer for orders of two or more bottles, and it’s clear why J. Mattingly is the go-to option for bourbon gifting. The fact that they are such a great partner for Bourbon Women is just icing on the cake! Here’s a link to order your bottle.
Best for: Corporate clients, teams, family members, or a close-knit group of friends.
Why it stands out: J. Mattingly combines premium bourbon, full customization, and a streamlined process, making it the easiest way to give a memorable gift to a group.
Bonus: Free shipping when you order two or more bottles means you can cover your entire gift list without breaking the bank.
Bonus #2: Once they’ve finished the bourbon, remind them to save the empty bottle to use as an infinity bottle to create a special blend of their own!
2. Bottle Engraving Events at Liquor Stores
Many liquor stores host bottle engraving events during the holiday season, offering a quick way to personalize a favorite bourbon. Choose a bottle that you know your group will love and add a custom engraved message, such as “Happy Holidays 2024” or “Cheers from The Smiths.”
While not as fully customizable as J. Mattingly’s options, engraved bottles still add a thoughtful touch to your gift. Plus, they make for great keepsakes once the bourbon is gone.
Best for: Gifting to a local group or individuals who would appreciate a personal message.
Why it works: It’s simple, relatively affordable, and still adds a personal touch to your gift.
3. Private Barrel Selection for Groups
If you’re looking for the ultimate bourbon gift for a group, consider purchasing a private barrel. Many distilleries allow individuals or groups to buy an entire barrel of bourbon, which is then bottled and labeled exclusively for you.
While this option is certainly a splurge, it creates an unforgettable experience for bourbon enthusiasts, and everyone in your group will walk away with a bottle (or several) that no one else has and won’t ever exist again since each bourbon barrel is unique!
Best for: Small groups of bourbon enthusiasts, corporate teams, or milestone celebrations.
Why it’s special: A private barrel offers a level of exclusivity that’s hard to beat.
Consideration: This option requires more time, planning, and budget, making it less accessible than J. Mattingly’s custom bottles.
4. Holiday Labels from Popular Bourbon Brands
Some bourbon brands release special holiday-themed labels each year, which can often be customized with a short message or the name of the recipient. These labels are festive, easy to order, and provide a nice balance between personalization and affordability.
For example, you could add a holiday greeting or the name of a family or company to the label. While this level of customization is relatively limited, it’s a fun and festive way to make a bourbon gift stand out.
Best for: Budget-conscious gifting for groups like coworkers, neighbors, or extended family.
Why it works: It’s festive, easy to find, and widely available during the holidays.
Considerations: This is generally offered by large heritage brands, and you can’t always select the type of bourbon the label should go on. It’s an option if you find a distillery offering this customization and you have time to order and receive the label before you need it as a gift.
5. Custom Packaging: Bottle Bags, Caddies, and More
For those who prefer to gift an already-purchased bottle, custom packaging can add a layer of creativity and thoughtfulness. Consider wrapping your bourbon in a customized bottle bag, wooden caddy, or even a hand-painted box. This approach allows you to highlight the importance of the gift while giving it a polished, high-end presentation. Talking with local artists or searching on Etsy can often help you find these options.
Many online retailers and craft shops offer personalized options that can include names, logos, or festive designs. Pair the packaging with a note or recipe card for an added personal touch.
Best for: Hosts, coworkers, or recipients who already have a favorite bourbon and you know what bottle they’ll want.
Why it works: Custom packaging enhances the presentation and makes even an off-the-shelf bottle feel special. If it’s a personalized bottle caddy, they’ll be able to use it over and over, even when the bourbon has been finished!
Considerations: If you choose this option, you’ll customization isn’t just in the packaging—it’s in the bourbon, the bottle, and the presentation, making it a more cohesive gift.
6. Custom Bottles for Infinity Bourbon Projects
For true bourbon enthusiasts, an “infinity bottle” is a fun and creative way to experiment with flavors. An infinity bottle is essentially a custom blend of bourbons, where the recipient continuously adds new bourbons to create a unique, evolving flavor profile. Gifting an empty custom bottle designed for this purpose is a thoughtful way to encourage their passion for bourbon.
J. Mattingly’s custom bottles are particularly well-suited for this, as they can be personalized with the recipient’s name or a fun message like “The Anderson Family Infinity Bottle.” The premium quality and aesthetic of the bottle make it a cherished keepsake that the recipient will use and display for years.
Best for: Bourbon enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting with flavors.
Why it’s perfect: It’s interactive, personal, and a conversation starter.
Considerations: A custom J. Mattingly bottle offers both the style and the quality to create the perfect foundation for an infinity project.
Why J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Is the Best Bourbon Gift for Groups
While all of these options add a thoughtful and personal touch to bourbon gifting, J. Mattingly offers the easiest and most impressive solution for groups. With their premium Double Staved™ bourbon, fully customizable labels and wax seals, and stunning presentation, J. Mattingly bottles combine luxury, quality, and convenience in a way no other option can.
This holiday season, make your bourbon gifts stand out. Whether you’re impressing clients, showing gratitude to your team, or delighting family and friends, J. Mattingly’s custom bourbon bottles are the perfect way to spread cheer and create lasting memories.
Cheers to making the holidays unforgettable—one bourbon gift at a time!
Why J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery?
J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery stands out in the world of custom bourbon for its dedication to quality and innovation. With a heritage rooted in Kentucky’s bourbon tradition, J. Mattingly has perfected the art of creating exceptional spirits. Their proprietary Double Staved™ process and attention to detail ensure that every bottle is a masterpiece.
When you choose J. Mattingly for your holiday gifting, you’re not just giving bourbon; you’re giving a story—a story of craftsmanship, tradition, and personalization.
How to Get Started
Ready to create the perfect holiday gift? Start by selecting your bourbon and exploring the customization options on J. Mattingly’s website. Whether you’re gifting for business or family, a custom bourbon bottle is sure to make this holiday season unforgettable. Make your gift stand out. Make it personal. Make it J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery.