SPHERE's Christmas Gift Guide

For the Whisky Aficionado

The third release in Bowmore’s ongoing Masters’ Selection series is the perfect gift for the whisky lover in your life. Made in collaboration with long-time partner Aston Martin, it blends the signature passion and savoir-faire of the historic Islay distiller with that of the British marque. Double matured in European oak oloroso sherry casks and American oak hogsheads, the 22-year-old single malt opens with aromas of peaches and lemon peel on the nose, before segueing into rich tasting notes of sherry, cocoa bean, and peat smoke. Its finish is long and sweet, with aspects of oak, spices, and sea salt. 

Bowmore Masters’ Selection Edition 3. Available in premium spirits outlets including The Whisky Shop and Master of Malt RRP £425 bowmore.com

For the coffee table book fanatic

There are two kinds of book fanatics in this world. Those in it for the words, and those in it for the pictures. The latter are the characters that have stacks of coffee table books piled high, so much so that the space for a cup of coffee is almost diminished entirely. We have selected from Taschen, the ruling publishers of coffee table books, a limited-edition leather-bound volume visually exploring 400 years of footwear. The pages of designer archives, from Louboutin to Ferragamo, are accompanied by a portfolio of three exclusive art prints from Manolo Blahník. For fashion extraordinaires and avid book collectors alike.

There are only 1,000 numbered copies available for purchase from Taschen, here, priced at £750.

If designer shoes aren’t the style of the book lover in your life, give them the freedom of choice with a Taschen gift card, here.

For the loyal No. 5 wearer

Curated by Chanel and Ernest Beaux to capture ‘a scent of woman’, the legendary fragrance of Chanel No. 5 has rightly gained a following of varied loyal wearers since its initial creation in 1921. For Christmas 2023, a 50ml bottle of the Eau de Parfum has been paired with a No. 5 spray body oil, presented in the same iconically geometric bottle design of the fragrance. The use of the nourishing body oil in co-ordination with a spritz of the perfume aims to enhance the notes, prolonging the depth and life of the fragrance on the skin. Displayed in an opulent limited-edition coffret, this set is made for long-standing fans of the fragrance craving a refill or anyone looking to discover the renowned scent of Chanel.

Purchase the Chanel No.5 Eau de Parfum and Body Oil set, £172, here.

Read more on the role of body oil in fragrance wear as we join SPHERE’s Pippa Lowe on finding her Chanel ‘Les Exclusifs’ perfume match.

For the Vintage Appreciator

For the appreciators of a fine vintage, Laurent-Perrier’s Grand Siècle Iteration No. 26 is a culmination of the grapes chosen from three vintage years (2012, 2008 and 2007) to birth an iconic Prestige Cuvée recreating ‘the perfect year’. 2012 produced elegantly balanced wines packed with red fruit aromas from a dry and sunny summer, 2008 resulted in aromatically rich wines with full structure whilst 2007 brought us wines with a lasting citrusy freshness due to a warm spring. Grand Siècle Iteration No. 26 aims to combine the qualities from each of these vintage years in a perfected blend of 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir, aged for ten years on the lees. Presented in a matte-detailed black bottle, this especial Cuvée is an opulent and suave option to bring to the table.

Learn more about Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Iteration No. 26, £200, at laurent-perrier.com and purchase from select independent fine wine merchants. 

For the Candle Collector

For the homebody in your life with an obscene collection of candles, why not add one more to the mix – with one unique difference. Diptyque’s limited edition carousel candles are fitted with a carousel inspired by the oval design of Maison Diptyque. As the flame flickers, the carousel begins to turn, projecting the dancing shadows of the design up the walls. A calligram honing inspiration from the poetic definition of ‘flame’ from the pages of the Encyclopédie des Lumières. Enchanting the room with both playful light and scent. This year, available in the candied fruity fragrance of Baies or in the muskier scents of Ambre and Feu de Bois, presented in a set of two mini candles with the carousel. An exclusive and magical addition to any candle collection.

Purchase the Diptyque Baies Holiday Carousel Candle Set, £110, here. Alternatively purchase the Ambre and Feu De Bois Small Candle Carousel Set of two, £120, here.

For the Pastry Connoisseur

A stroll down Knightsbridge is almost always met with the bustle of Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley. For the pastry connoisseur in your life, this year you are able to gift a golden-ticketed path right up to a seat at Cédric Grolet’s counter. Embarking on a globally exclusive dining experience that allows tastebuds to sample five sweet and two savoury surprise creations from Grolet, displaying the range of his meticulous culinary craftsmanship. Topped off with flutes of Champagne alongside, this individualistic experience makes for a memorable afternoon tea upgrade.

Purchase a voucher for the Cédric Grolet Counter Experience at The Berkeley here, priced at £155 per person.

For after the Christmas Dinner

After years of enjoyment pulling a cracker at the dinner table on Christmas Day, it is safe to say the kitchen drawer of travel bottle openers, generic key rings and other knick-knacks becomes pretty full. Introducing MOTH’s cocktail crackers, with all the pop of traditional crackers but even more excitement. Each cracker houses a can of cocktail made with award-winning spirits, as well as a joke of course. Crack open to find a cocktail from the tempting roulette of Espresso Martini, Margarita, Negroni or Piña Colada. The perfect gift to bring a Christmas dinner host who needs to put the shaker aside and their feet up.

Purchase MOTH’s canned cocktail crackers, £20 per set of four, here.

For the Sustainable Champagne Drinker

Introducing a pure and exceptional release from Maison Ruinart, Dom Ruinart 2010 – with a chalk wrap. This launch boasts sustainable aspects for guilt-free champagne drinking. Made from 100% chardonnay grapes and aged for over a decade, this innovative bottle of bubbly is made entirely without the use of plastic, making it 100% recyclable. That is if you wouldn’t want to keep the sculpturally remarkable bottle after every sip is gone. Encased in a velvety chalk wrap, representing the Maison’s chalk quarry cellars in Reims, this frosty design brings the link between Dom Ruinart and chalk to fruition. An ornate and minimalist alcohol gift for the environmentally conscious.

Purchase Dom Ruinart 2010 Chalk Wrap, 75cl, £250 from Clos19 here.

For the DIY Enthusiast

Amongst their array of beautifully decorated Christmas cookies, Biscuiteers have created the option to become the decorator for the day. This is for those DIY seekers who always tend to buy a gingerbread house kit in determination despite their houses’ foundation falling to pieces year after year, ending in a pile of messy (but delicious) icing-coated blocks of biscuit. With the Biscuiteers Snowman DIY Kit, gravity is on your side – leaving more time to stress over your creative flair and sprinkle placement. The kit has the option to be delivered with a gift message, making it a fun activity to gift any biscuit fans from afar or to buy for your own Christmas gathering as an entertaining boxing day pastime.

Purchase the Biscuiteers Snowman DIY Kit, £38 for a set of twelve biscuits, here.

For a Variety of Tastes

It’s no secret that not everyone likes the same drinks. One lover of a whisky sour may be they hater of a vodka martini. This Trilogy set from House of Suntory is made to be a group-pleaser, whether it be gifting to a few work colleagues or friends who usually tend to fight over the best things in the hamper. Containing 20cl of three of their iconic spirits: Roku Gin, Haku Vodka and their famed Toki whisky. Allowing a group of people (or one lucky spirit connoisseur) to discover the Japanese legacy of House of Suntory.

Available from Amathus, £45, here.