The Best New Spirits of 2011

I don't think wine makes a great gift. Its perceived value is tarnished by the way bottles are casually dealt out at the door by dinner party guests upon arrival. However, I do think fine spirits make splendid gifts. Elegant bottles can be found in whatever price range suits your fancy—from $30 on up—and, even better, a spirit makes a lasting impression, since it's unlikely to be consumed right away. Here are my picks of the year's best new spirits.

Rhuby Liqueur ($36): Art in the Age, a Philadelphia artist collective that also produces organic spirits, previously remade root beer to its original alcoholic specifications with Root. Now they bring us Rhuby, a spirit based on a 1770s recipe for a spiced-up rhubarb tea invented by John Bartram, the Pennsylvania botanist. Rhuby is something entirely unique, blending herbal and sweet characteristics into a surprisingly refreshing liqueur. Its pale pink color suggests springtime, but grapefruit, remember, is a winter fruit. So get your citrus rolling, as Rhuby is a wonderful mixer along with things like soda, tonic, and gin.