WHISKY lovers are set for a very merry Christmas with the latest crop of whisky advent calendars launching now for 2023.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, American sour or Japanese whisky fan, you’re sure to find something to suit, with the best whisky advent calendars presenting a mixture of different brands and flavours.
There’s new drams to discover, as well as old favourites to savour, with single malts, blends, bourbons and even liqueurs to tempt your tastebuds in the December countdown to Christmas.
Buy as an indulgent treat for yourself, or as a gift for a friend – honestly, it really doesn’t matter if you’ve been naughty or nice.
Whether you go for a 12 or 24-bottle calendar you’ll find exclusives and award-winners among the miniatures, some come with extra gifts such as exclusive merch or tasting glasses, and all are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
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Best whisky advent calendars at a glance:
- Best overall whisky advent calendar: World Whisky Advent calendar
- Best Scotch whisky advent calendar: Gravity Drinks A Whisky Tour of Scotland Advent Calendar
- Best Irish whiskey advent calendar: 12 Dram Irish Whiskey Collection
- Best Japanese whisky advent calendar: Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar
- Best single malt advent calendar: Single Malts of Scotland Whisky Advent Calendar
World Whisky Advent Calendar
- Drinks by the Dram World Whisky Advent Calendar,
£149.95£129.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
This advent calendar is all about flavours from around the world and is perfect for any whisky lover who wants to try different variations of their favourite drink.
It contains a hand-picked selection of 24 wax-sealed bottles designed to help broaden your whisky horizons.
Plus, there are some new additions in this year's advent as well as classic favourites and standouts including a sample of the bestselling Abasolo Spirit.
The constellation-themed box would look way better on your mantle than any plain old stocking, too.
Shoppers absolutely love gifting this advent with one commenting, 'This arrived as a surprise gift and am really impressed. I enjoyed reading about each malt and the samples are a decent size.'
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
12 Dram Irish Whiskey Collection
- Drinks by the Dram 12 Dram Irish Whiskey Collection, £50.95 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.
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Plus, it's also one of the cheapest advent calendars available at just over £50, but despite its price tag, it still offers excellent quality.
Number of products: 12, bottle size: 30ml
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Original Whisky Advent Calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Original Whisky Advent Calendar, £149.95 from Master of Malt – buy here
This flavourful 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 packaging is available in three designs - White Christmas (shown), Original and Craft.
One happy shopper added: 'I've had quite a few whiskies over the years but the 'Drinks by the Dram' guys allow you to try a whisky that you wouldn't normally be able to buy in a miniature version.'
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
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 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.
You can choose from four different festive designs and shoppers are a fan of its delectable selection.
One reviewer commented: 'This is awesome and a perfect way to explore and enjoy not Japanese Whisky but whisky in general.'
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
Single Malts of Scotland Whisky Advent Calendar
- Single Malts of Scotland Whisky Advent Calendar, £245 from The Whisky Exchange – buy here
For those who want a deep dive into single malt, this calendar contains drams in a range of styles, from peaty to summery, from celebrated names such as Laphroaig, Clynelish, Glenlossie and Imperial.
The 25, 3cl bottles range in age from seven to 31 years old and will see you through December until Christmas. The perfect way to welcome the festive season for any whisky connoisseur.
One impressed shopper commented: 'The best collection of classic miniatures that I have seen.'
Number of products: 25, bottle size: 30ml
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society The 12 Drams Of Christmas
- The 12 Drams Of Christmas, £199 from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society – buy here
Buying this exclusive advent calendar from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society not only gives you 12 single malts chosen by its tasting panel experts but also a year’s membership to the society. Benefits include exclusive discounts and tasting events, access to members’ rooms in Edinburgh, Leith, Glasgow and London, a monthly members’ magazine and access to exclusive society whiskies every month.
The calendar has been produced to commemorate 40 years of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. It contains 10 single malt, one single-grain and one blended malt Scotch whiskies – all cask strength and all from different distilleries.
Forty of the calendars contain a special gold-capped bottle hidden behind one of the doors – if you find one you win a prize, which could be a full-size bottle of whisky, merchandise, or tickets to tasting events.
You’ll also receive a daily video introduction to each dram and a printable tasting sheet for your notes.
Number of products: 12, bottle size: 50ml
NOTHS Personalised Advent Calendar Decanter
- Personalised Advent Calendar Decanter Gift, £42 from Not On The High Street – buy here
This is the ideal gift for the whisky lover in your life – simply add their favourite tipple to make the run up to this Christmas totally perfect.
There may be no doors, but a daily dram is certainly going to warm their heart and bring a smile to their face this festive season.
The heavy glass decanter is hand engraved, with sections for December’s dates from 1st until Christmas Eve. You can also add the recipient’s name to make the gift extra special. It holds 750ml, so a full bottle of whisky – not that it will stay full for very long.
Number of products: 1, bottle size: 750ml
Cask Explorers Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar
- Cask Explorers Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar, £129.99 from The Really Good Whisky Company – buy here
A sure favourite for enthusiasts, this advent calendar contains 25 single malts each with its own QR code to access exclusive tasting videos via your phone.
Every specially selected dram will captivate your taste buds and has been chosen by experts for its character and flavour, including Craigellachie’s 13-year-old malt, Speyburn’s 18-year-old malt and Balblair’s 12-year-old malt.
There’s a full list of contents on the website if you can’t wait until December.
Cask Explorers offers another five whisky advent calendars in their range, starting from £99.99 for The Scotch Collection, rising to £399.99 for The Luxury Collection.
Delivery starts from mid-September and costs £5.99 within the UK.
Number of products: 25, bottle size: 30ml
That Boutique-y Whisky Company 12 Dram Collection
- That Boutique-y Whisky Company 12 Dram Collection, £77.95 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.
Number of products: 12, bottle size: 30ml
Gravity Drinks A Whisky Tour of Scotland Advent Calendar
- Gravity Drinks A Whisky Tour of Scotland Advent Calendar, £184.08 from Amazon – buy here
The 2023 edition of this calendar contains all new whiskies for this year from distilleries across Scotland’s whisky regions – the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Campbelltown and Islay.
Behind the 24 doors, you’ll find a mixture of premium single malts and blends, with ages between four and 21 years. To enhance your experience the calendar also comes with two whisky-nosing glasses and an illustrated brochure with tasting notes and a history of whisky in Scotland.
Happy recipients will be able to take a whisky tour of Scotland and discover a world of flavours without leaving home.
Everything is presented in a traditional handmade wooden cabinet that can be reused and refilled with your favourite drams.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 50ml
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey Advent Calendar
- Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey Advent Calendar, £96 from Amazon – buy here
American whiskey lovers are in for a treat with this advent calendar from iconic brand Jack Daniels.
It contains 20 bottles of Tennessee whiskey and four branded shot glasses behind the 24 doors, so there’s plenty to keep you happy throughout December until the big day itself.
Whiskies included in the calendar are Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack, Tennessee Apple, Single Barrel, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, Old No.7 Tennessee Whiskey and Tennessee Rye.
Discover and delight in the full range of Jack Daniel’s whiskies yourself or buy as a gift for a whiskey-loving friend.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 50ml
Deluxe Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar
- Deluxe Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar, £167.30 – buy here
You’ll find 25 rare Scotch whiskies in this advent calendar, including two 30-year-old and one 25-year-old single malts.
What’s more, a number of the whiskies are no longer available elsewhere, so this calendar is unique, giving the recipient a last opportunity to taste these sold-out editions.
Each mini bottle holds 50ml – a double measure – many are cask strength and all are sourced from independent specialist whisky bottlers.
Choose to share each day’s dram with your partner or keep them all to yourself and savour the countdown to Christmas taste by taste.
There’s also a whisky tasting glass inside the calendar to add to the experience.
Number of products: 2, bottle size: 750ml
Fireball Countdown Calendar
- Fireball Countdown Calendar, £44.09 from Amazon – buy here
This whisky advent calendar is certainly different – it’s a blend of Canadian whisky with cinnamon and it promises to be a hot, fiery experience.
Fireball says its liqueur is best served as a shot straight from the freezer – presumably to cool you down while you drink it. They say it “Tastes like heaven, burns like hell” If more proof were needed that this is a spicy dram indeed.
There are 24 doors to open on the holiday countdown calendar – 20 contain bottles of the liqueur while the other four contain a cool Fireball gift – a shot glass, bottle opener, koozie (insulated drink holder) and a Fireball tree ornament.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 50ml
Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar,
£149.95£129.95 from Master of Malt – 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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
That Boutique-y Whisky Advent Calendar
- That Boutique-y Whisky Advent Calendar,
£149.95£129.95 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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar,
£249.95£229.95 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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
Bourbon & American Whiskey Advent Calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Bourbon & American Whiskey Advent Calendar,
£149.95£129.95 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 2023.
Now all you need is a rocking chair and a front porch to complete the fantasy. Santa?
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
Peaty Whisky Advent Calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Peaty Whisky Advent Calendar,
£149.95£129.95 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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
Where to buy whisky advent calendars in the UK
You’ll find a great selection of whisky advent calendars online and you may also find a selection on the hight street in department stores such as John Lewis in their Christmas gift departments.
As Christmas comes closer, supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose generally stock a few so you can easily pick one up with the weekly shop.
Specialist drinks retailers sell them on their websites and of course Amazon has a great selection.
We found the whisky advent calendars featured in our roundup at:
- Amazon
- Flaviar
- Master of Malt
- The Really Good Whisky Company
- The Spirit Co
- The Whisky Exchange
How much do whisky advent calendars cost?
Whisky advent calendars are not cheap and the best whisky advent calendars can cost you upwards of £100. That said, an advent calendar is a once-a-year treat and they also make great early Christmas gifts for friends and family.
Obviously a calendar containing 12 days of whisky will cost less than one containing 24 days, so bear that in mind when choosing your purchase.
The cheapest whisky advent calendar in our round-up is the Fireball Holiday Countdown Calendar, which costs less than £50 and the most expensive is the Drinks By The Dram Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar, which costs just short of £250.
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 Master of Malt 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 1 December to reveal the treat behind each one.
