FOR whisky enthusiasts, there's nothing better than receiving one of the best whisky advent calendars.
You get to try lots of different whiskies in the lead up to Christmas and potentially discover something new.
Even better – there's a whisky advent calendar to cater to every taste, whether you prefer an American bourbon or a Scottish single malt.
Most showcase whisky from distilleries around the world, with either 12 or 24 different miniature bottles to sample – many of the tasters are award-winning, or exclusive to that calendar.
Just a quick note: whisky advent calendars should only be reserved for those on the 'nice' list – they tend to cost around £100, with some setting you back £200, or more.
That being said, some of the whisky included in the calendars can fetch upwards of £600 a bottle, so you know you're still getting a deal.
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Drinks by the Dram Whisky Explorer advent calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Whisky Explorer advent calendar, £99.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
There's a lot of excitement around Drinks by the Dram's festive offerings and the 2022 edition of its Whisky Explorer Calendar is no exception.
This year's version – available in four eye-catching designs – contains 24 unique wax-sealed drams of whisky sourced from around the world.
And the best thing? The price! At under £100, it's one of the cheapest, full-sized options on this list.
Cask Explorers Scotch whisky advent calendar
- Cask Explorers Scotch whisky advent calendar, from £99.99 at The Really Good Whisky Company – buy here
With 25 exciting 30ml drams to energise your taste buds, this whisky advent calendar contains cask strength, single malts, peated whiskies and more.
There are four calendars to choose from, starting at £99.99 for Sapphire and reaching all the way up to £849.99 for the Diamond edition – this may sound like a stretch but it includes vintage whiskies as well. The full list of options can be found here.
Not only are there tasting notes included for each dram, but you can join online tasting sessions for an immersive whisky-drinking experience throughout December.
Free delivery is available across the UK as well.
That Boutique-y Whisky Company 12 dram collection
- That Boutique-y Whisky Company 12 dram collection, £74.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
That Boutique-y Whisky Company and Drinks by the Dram have joined forces to create a mini whisky advent calendar that is both a good price, and out of this world.
Inside are 12 wax-sealed dinky drams of whisky sourced from across the world, including from renowned distilleries like Tomatin, Glen Elgin and Aberlour.
Each 30ml bottle ranges from four-year-old single malts to blended styles, and tasty 12-year-old spirits – ideal for impressing whisky-sceptical friends, and family members.
Pour & Sip whisky advent calendar
- Pour & Sip whisky advent calendar, £149.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
Pour & Sip, Master of Malt's very own subscription service, treats members with bespoke whiskies each month.
This year it has released a brand new whisky advent calendar.
The calendar is stuffed with 24 of Pour & Sip's favourite whisky selections from the last year, sourced from around the world.
They're all tried and tested, and include offerings from Lagavulin, Jura, Bulleit Bourbon, and Talisker – all you need to do is Pour & Sip this Christmas!
Drinks by the Dram 12 dram Irish whiskey collection
- Drinks by the Dram 12 dram Irish whiskey collection, £49.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
Drinks by the Dram has produced an option that's not quite an advent calendar, but is perfect for counting down to Christmas.
It comes with a surprise selection of 12 Irish whiskeys – whisky is spelt with an extra e when it's made in Ireland.
Each window hides a wax-sealed 30ml whiskey miniature, sourced from some of Ireland's best producers of whiskey.
Drinks by the Dram Scotch whisky advent calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Scotch whisky advent calendar, £169.95 from Amazon – buy here
It's believed that bonny Scotland is the birthplace of whisky, so you can rest assured that you've got one of the best whisky advent calendars when it's full of Scotch.
Balvenie, Clynelish, Glenfiddich and many more are packed into this gorgeous advent calendar from Drinks by the Dram and it's sure to delight even the fussiest whisky fan.
The 24 3cl bottles included are made of glass, and wax-sealed for that extra special festive touch.
That Boutique-y whisky advent calendar
- That Boutique-y whisky advent calendar, £149.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
This lovely advent calendar is another collaboration with Whisky by the Dram.
Hiding behind its 24 doors is a selection of blended and single cask whiskies from around the globe.
There's a mix of young and old, and famous names and independent labels hidden inside, one for each night before Christmas.
Drinks by the Dram Japanese whisky advent calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Japanese whisky advent calendar, £249.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
Japanese whiskies are often made in the style of Scottish whiskies, and this glorious advent calendar is the perfect introduction to Japan's top producers.
You'll find 24, 30ml, wax-sealed drams of whisky in a range of styles – including single malts, single grains, and blends – to entice any whisky enthusiasts you know.
The particularly pretty red and white festive-like advent calendar is also available in a more colourful 'kintsugi' design.
Drinks by the Dram Original whisky advent calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Original whisky advent calendar, £149.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
This Original offering is priced at under £150, and is all about expanding your whisky palate.
It features 24 unique, wax-sealed drams of 30ml whiskies sourced from distilleries around the world.
The blue and gold box is delectable, too (with 'White Christmas and 'Craft' designs also available).
Drinks by the Dram world whisky advent calendar
- Drinks by the Dram world whisky advent calendar £149.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
This advent calendar is all about flavours from around the world.
It contains a hand-picked selection of 24 wax-sealed bottles designed to help broaden your whisky horizons.
The constellation-themed box would look way better on your mantle than any plain old stocking, too.
Flaviar Explore The Depths of Whiskey advent calendar
- Flaviar Explore The Depths of Whiskey advent calendar, £180 from Flaviar – buy here
Flaviar invites you to 'explore the depths of whiskey' with its Advent Calendar, carefully curated every Christmas.
We love the calendar's out-there packaging and the brand promises to delight even the most experienced whisky palates with its selection of 24 50ml premium vials of delectable whisky.
The calendar also includes a tasting glass, concrete coaster and tasting journal to document your experience.
It sold out last year so get this on your Christmas list asap to make sure you don't miss out.
Drinks by the Dram bourbon & American whiskey advent calendar
- Drinks by the Dram bourbon & American whiskey advent calendar, £149.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
American whiskey connoisseur – or looking to become one? Then this Drinks by the Dram bourbon & American whiskey advent calendar is a great option.
With 24 wax-sealed 30ml drams of bourbon, rye, Tennessee whiskey and more behind each window, each one has been handpicked by Master of Malt specifically for 2022 – making it different from any previous calendar release.
Now all you need is a rocking chair and a front porch to complete the fantasy. Santa?
Drinks by the Dram peaty whisky advent calendar
- Drinks by the Dram peaty whisky advent calendar, £149.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
Fans of smoky whisky need look no further than this peaty whisky advent calendar from Drinks by the Dram.
Peated whiskies are produced all over the world – not just in Scotland – and this calendar aims to demonstrate just that, with its 24 wax-sealed 30ml drams from a variety of producers.
This one is a brand new edition from Drinks by the Dram, so snap it up before it becomes ultra-popular.
Gravity Drinks A Whisky Tour of Scotland advent calendar
- Gravity Drinks A Whisky Tour of Scotland advent calendar, £144.75 from Amazon – buy here
There's no messing about with this whisky advent calendar: it's packed with 24 rare and aged single cask and blended expressions for the most impressive of December treats.
Taking in distilleries from the Lowland, Speyside, Highland, Islay and Campbeltown regions of Scotland, each 50ml dram has been bottled straight from the cask.
Even better, it's presented in a handmade wooden cabinet, which you can reuse and refill with your favourite miniatures.
Drinks By The Dram premium whisky advent calendar
- Drinks By The Dram premium whisky advent calendar,£230 from The Whisky Exchange – buy here
For those who want to experience premium whiskies at a fraction of the price, this advent calendar is perfect.
Behind each of the 24 doors, you'll find everything from a Balvenie 21-year-old port wood finish to a 10-year-old whisky from Gulliver’s 47.
All the 30ml bottles are wax-sealed and waiting to be cracked open.
The Spirit Co. All American whiskey and bourbon advent calendar
- The Spirit Co. All American whiskey and bourbon advent calendar, £159.95 from The Spirit Co. – buy here
Calling all American whiskey lovers: this glorious advent calendar comes with 24 petite 30ml bottles from across the pond and includes bourbon, rye and wheat whiskey from renowned distillers in the US.
Take a tantalising journey of taste across America for the best run-up to Christmas ever.
It's currently out of stock but it's worth checking back to see whether it'll be back in stock again.
Otherwise this Americana Collection advent calendar might offer a good alternative.
How much is a whisky advent calendar?
Whisky calendars often pack in a lot of alcohol into a small package and this is reflected in the price. Most whisky advent calendars retail between £100 and £200, although many premium calendars that include very expensive whiskies far exceed this.
Where to buy a whisky advent calendar
Sampling company Drinks by the Dram has a vast selection of boozy advent calendars that dominate the whisky scene.
You can also look on specialist websites like Masters of Malt and The Whisky Exchange.
Many supermarkets, including the big four – Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons – have also got in on the advent calendar action in recent years, so it's worth keeping an eye on their shelves over the festive period.
What to look for in a whisky advent calendar
Firstly, check to make sure it's within your budget as alcohol-filled advent calendars command a high price and whisky ones can be particularly expensive.
Next, consider the list of whiskies on offer – do you enjoy sampling a new type of whisky from around the globe, if so a calendar like this one from Flaviar is ideal. Or perhaps you're looking for regional specific options, like Scottish, American or even Japanese brands.
Also check how big the samples are and how they come – many are in 30ml glass bottles and wax sealed though you can get bigger samples too.
Some premium advent calendars come with extras like branded glasses, coasters or spirit measures that might make them better for gifting.
Lastly, check if a whisky guide comes with your calendar that explains each sample in detail. Or even better, some companies offer videos and tasting sessions so you can enjoy the social side of enjoying a festive tipple.
What is a bourbon advent calendar?
Bourbon is a specific type of whiskey made in the United States from at least 51% corn.
In order to be classified as a bourbon, there are certain regulations it must meet, including being aged in new oak barrels at a maximum of 125 proof, and then bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.
If an advent calendar contains whiskies that match these requirements, then congrats: you've got yourself a bourbon advent calendar!
Like most advent calendars, a bourbon advent calendar will feature 24 or 25 windows that can be opened daily from the 1st of December to reveal the treat behind each one.
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