Buying Christmas presents for my parents can be challenging. They’re at the point in their lives where they go buy what they want. My sister got wind that my mom wants a little TV for the kitchen, so that’s an easy win. My dad, on the other hand, is a little more of a challenge. He’s recently found a fondness for martinis, so I’m going to play on that. I’m going to put together a gift basket of things needed for a martini, including the glasses and shaker. I’ll find some good gourmet olives, probably from Stonewall Kitchen (like these). But the biggest part of this will be buying a few bottles of top shelf alcohol. The challenge is this: What are the best brands of gin and vermouth to get? I don’t have a price range in mind, so I’m not opposed to buying a $40 or $50 bottle of gin.