With Hanukkah already behind us, perhaps this post is a bit tardy. Regardless, the arbitrary ground rules are “things that aren’t immediately consumable,” so a bottle of Grey Goose is out. Here are a few drinking related gifts, mainly aimed at guys, but that’s not to say that there aren’t some gals out there who wouldn’t enjoy them.
Engraved flask – So many uses, but my favorite anecdote about a flask comes from a friend who moved to London after college. He was so disconcerted that their mixed drinks were both expensive and weak (premeasured to 30mL or about a shot), that he solved it by re-spiking his whiskey and cokes with extra whiskey, smuggled in via flask. A brilliant idea, but be stealthy or risk getting tossed. Pictured is the $25 “Bobcat” from eFlasks, where you can get them engraved. The leather works well for using this outside in the winter cold. Should be used more often as a groomsman’s gift.
Wine Opener – The basic ones work well enough, but if you’re going to spring for something, you could go with the semi-automated route, where the Oster checks in highly. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of random clutter plugged into the kitchen, so I prefer the Metrokane Rabbit. It’s not automated, but is an impressive (and elegant) looking piece of machinery. Its leverage is akin to cutting down a weed with a chainsaw, which seems like a very American approach.
One question seems to come up somewhat often: for calorie purposes, does the brand of vodka make any difference? Is Grey Goose calorically any better or worse than Smirnoff, Absolut, Skyy or well vodka? NOPE!
