Slowing down, gathering together and raising a glass to the season
The holidays move fast. Shopping lists, travel plans, school programs and a calendar full of parties can make the season feel like something to get through instead of something to enjoy.
That’s exactly why traditions matter. They give us a reason to stop, sit down with the people we love and mark the moment. And for a lot of families, including ours, whiskey has become part of that.
Here’s why whiskey makes the perfect holiday tradition, and a few easy ways to start your own this year.
Whiskey Is Made to Be Slowed Down For
Good whiskey takes years to make. It sits in a barrel through hot summers and cold winters, slowly picking up color, caramel, vanilla and spice from the wood. You can’t rush it, and you shouldn’t rush drinking it either.
That’s what makes it such a good fit for the holidays. A neat pour isn’t something you knock back. You warm it in your hand, take in the aroma and sip it slowly while the conversation goes on around you. It turns a regular evening into a moment.
Ed Belfour learned this lesson making chokecherry jam with his parents, a 12-hour process he wrote about in From Chokecherries to Whiskey. Anything worth doing well takes time, and the same goes for the moments worth remembering.
The Flavors of the Season Are Already in the Glass
There’s a reason whiskey feels right when the weather turns cold. The same flavors that fill the house during the holidays (caramel, brown sugar, maple, vanilla, cinnamon and baking spice) show up in a glass of bourbon or rye. We dig into the science in Why Whiskey Tastes Better in the Fall.
Belfour Small Batch Straight Bourbon brings brown sugar, maple syrup and caramel with a toasted marshmallow finish, like holiday baking in a glass. Belfour Rye Whiskey opens with sea salted vanilla caramel and dark chocolate and finishes with a velvety warmth and a hint of peppermint. It might be the most holiday-tasting whiskey we make.
Whiskey Brings People Together
Whiskey has always been a social drink. It gets passed around the table, poured for a guest who just walked in from the cold and raised for a toast. Sharing a bottle is a small act of hospitality, and the holidays are all about hospitality.
It also starts conversations. Everybody has an opinion on bourbon vs. rye, neat vs. on the rocks, or which bottle is their favorite. Our guide to bourbon myths is good ammunition for the friendly debate at the end of the table.
7 Holiday Whiskey Traditions to Start This Year
1. The First Snow Pour
When the first snow falls (or the first truly cold night, if you live somewhere like Texas), pour a glass, step outside or sit by the window and take it in. It’s a small ritual that kicks off the season.
2. The Family Toast
Before the holiday meal, have someone raise a glass and say a few words about the year. Rotate who gives the toast each year. Kids can join in with sparkling cider.
3. A Holiday Tasting Night
Invite friends over for an evening of tasting different whiskeys side by side. It’s easier than it sounds. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to host a whiskey tasting at home.
4. The Signature Holiday Cocktail
Pick one cocktail that only comes out during the holidays and make it every year. A few of our favorites: Egg Nog, Spiked Peppermint Hot Chocolate and a Cranberry Whiskey Sour.
5. The Fireside Nightcap
After the presents are open and the dishes are done, pour one last neat glass and sit by the fire. It’s the best part of the day for a lot of people.
6. The Bottle That Gets Passed Down
Pick a bottle each year and have everyone at the table sign the label. Save the last pour for the next year’s gathering. Over time, those bottles become a record of the people and moments that mattered.
7. Game Night With the Eagle
Holiday hockey is a tradition in itself. Pour a glass, put the game on and share the story of why Ed Belfour is called “The Eagle” with anyone who doesn’t know it yet.
Giving Back Is a Tradition Too
For the Belfour family, the holidays have always been about more than what’s under the tree. From Make-A-Wish and youth hockey to veterans and animal rescues, giving back is a big part of who Ed is. Read more in Beyond the Ice: Ed Belfour’s Lifelong Commitment to Community.
If you’re looking for a new tradition this year, volunteering together as a family might be the best one of all.
How to Make Your Whiskey Tradition Last
- Keep it simple. The best traditions are easy to repeat. One glass, one toast, one night a year.
- Use the same glasses. A set of glasses that only comes out for the holidays makes the moment feel special. Not sure what to buy? Read Does the Whiskey Glass Really Matter?
- Store it right. If your tradition bottle sits for a year between pours, store it upright and away from heat and light. Here’s how to store an open bottle of whiskey.
- Celebrate responsibly. Traditions are about the people, not how much you pour. Keep water on the table and make sure everyone gets home safe. The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility has helpful tips for hosts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good whiskey for the holidays?
Look for warm, rich flavors like caramel, brown sugar and spice. Belfour Rye Whiskey, with its sea salted caramel and peppermint finish, and Belfour Small Batch Straight Bourbon, with maple and toasted marshmallow, are both great holiday pours.
What are some easy holiday whiskey traditions?
A family toast before the holiday meal, a fireside nightcap, a holiday tasting night with friends and a signature holiday cocktail are all easy traditions to start.
What whiskey cocktails are good for the holidays?
Egg nog, spiked hot chocolate, cranberry whiskey sours and Old Fashioneds are all holiday favorites.
Start Your Tradition This Year
The holidays go by fast. A good bottle, the right people and a reason to slow down is all it takes to make a moment that lasts. Find your holiday pour in the Belfour Holiday Gift Guide or shop the full collection.
From our family to yours, happy holidays and cheers to the traditions that bring us together.
Must be 21+ to purchase. Please enjoy responsibly.