The Best Whiskey Gear And Gadgets Of 2020

Whiskey is big business these days. The Distilled Spirits Council estimates that sales of bourbon and rye exceeded $4 billion in 2019, alone. Brown spirit is so ingrained in our lives, in fact, that it’s even working its way into the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the gadgets we buy. We spend plenty of time here speaking about the best bottles to buy. And those suggestions are about to come flooding in as we approach year’s end. But some folks aren’t just looking for a good drink so much as they are a lifestyle. If you fall into this category, then this list is for you.

Bourbon Selvedge Denim Jacket from Todd Snyder — $248

Released in 2019, Legent bourbon features a combination of barrel finishes arranged by Japanese whisky legend—and Suntory chief blender—Shinji Fukuyo. To accentuate its east-meets-west ethos, the brand launched a collaborative series entitled ‘Redefining An American Classic.’ This year’s output is a stylish jacket crafted from premium Japanese denim. Acclaimed fashion designer Todd Snyder imported the fabric to the US, where it was hand cut and sewn for limited release. The garment’s whiskey theme is made less subtle by its amber hue, evoking the liquid itself.

The VinGardeValise Piccolo — $249

In normal times, it’s not uncommon now for whiskey enthusiasts to build entire vacations around their beverage of choice. You probably already know about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, but there’s also a similarly themed route through Tennessee. New York is even offering its own variation, focused on its native spirit of rye. No matter where you roam, if you’re traveling specifically for booze, you’re probably going to end up bringing some bottles back home. And that can be prove to be quite the challenge.

Enter the VinGardeValise: a line of hard-shelled suitcases that assure the careful transfer of glass thanks to dense foam inserts. This particular model was designed to safely carry 5 bottles of wine, with additional room for clothes. But the padding proves exceptionally adept at carrying your favorite grain-based liquors, just the same.

Old Rip X 1000 Mile Cap-Toe Boot from Wolverine — $400

Pappy Van Winkle is one of the most esteemed names in all of American Whiskey. However, the name doesn’t really mean much in the world of men’s footwear. Until now. The Kentucky-based bourbon brand teamed up with apparel brand, Wolverine for a limited-edition boot celebrating craftsmanship. The elegant, hand-sewn shoe provides more than just lip service to its collaborative partner. Its heel features oak that’s repurposed from barrels that formerly held Pappy. Released last month, the boots are also a charitable endeavor, with 100% of the proceeds going to the mikeroweWORKS scholarship foundation: “a nonprofit on a mission to challenge the myths and misperceptions about the skilled trades and help close the skills gap.”