A Taxpayer’s Liquor Guide: 2013
While the IRS has all types of rules and guidelines about filing your tax return, it doesn’t offer a single word on what to drink to celebrate a big refund. So, for our annual Taxpayer’s Liquor Guide, we’ve found a range of splurge-worthy bottlings if you’re getting money back—and some more reasonably priced spirits if you owe the government.
Refund Splurge:
You don’t need to study Norse mythology to appreciate Highland Park’s new 15-year-old Scotch, Loki ($249). It’s the second single malt in the distillery’s Valhalla Collection and has a light and fruity nose with a hit of smoke on the palate.
Accountant-Approved: Highland Park 15-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($80)
Refund Splurge:
Expecting a huge refund? Like Warren Buffett huge? Then consider buying Legacy by Angostura (pictured above). There are just three bottles (each one a custom-made crystal decanter with a silver stopper) of this extremely special Trinidadian rum for the entire US, and they’ll be available starting May 1. And they’ll cost—deep breath—$25,000.
Accountant-Approved: Angostura 1824 Rum ($60)
Refund Splurge:
American whiskey fans will want to track down the limited-edition Michter’s 20-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon ($500). Last fall, the brand released less than 450 bottles for the whole country. Fortunately, you can still find a few on store shelves.
Accountant-Approved: Michter’s US*1 Small Batch Bourbon ($44)
Refund Splurge:
Toast the IRS with chilled glasses of Moët & Chandon’s Grand Vintage Brut 2004 Champagne ($60). It’s the historic house’s 70th declared vintage since 1842. The elegant bubbly will be in liquor and wine shops in a couple weeks.
Accountant-Approved: Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne ($41)
Refund Splurge:
Glenmorangie’s master distiller, Dr. Bill Lumsden, takes wood very seriously. And his latest, the 19-year-old Ealanta ($119), was aged in unused oak barrels made from trees grown in the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. It has hints of smoke and spice, and a vanilla sweetness.
Accountant-Approved: Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($69)