18 best whisky advent calendars 2023 UK
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.
Beats chocolate any day.
Best whisky advent calendars at a glance:
- Best overall whisky advent calendar: Drinks by the Dram World Whisky Advent calendar
- Best Scotch whisky advent calendar: Gravity Drinks A Whisky Tour of Scotland Advent Calendar
- Best Irish whiskey advent calendar: Drinks by the Dram 12 Dram Irish Whiskey Collection
- Best Japanese whisky advent calendar: Drinks by the Dram Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar
- Best single malt advent calendar: Single Malts of Scotland Whisky Advent Calendar
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
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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
Drinks by the Dram 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.
Number of products: 12, bottle size: 30ml
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’s 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
Drinks by the Dram Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar
- Drinks by the Dram Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar, £149.95 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 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
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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
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 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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
Drinks by the DramBbourbon & 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 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
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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
Single Malts of Scotland Whisky Advent Calendar
- Single Malts of Scotland Whisky Advent Calendar, £225 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 connoiseur.
Number of products: 25, bottle size: 30ml
Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar
- Flaviar Lost Art of Distillation Whiskey Advent Calendar, £189 from Flaviar – preorder here
Flaviar invites you to share in a whiskey adventure with its Lost Art Of Distillation advent calendar and explore the elixirs of life.
It contains 24 whiskeys – including 12 award-winners – as well as tasting notes for each and two exclusive Glencairn glasses.
There’s 11 different countries represented in the calendar, with vials including Glengoyne 10-Year-Old and Heaven’s Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey among the beauties included.
Buying the calendar also gives you Flaviar membership free for a year, which includes virtual guided tastings, access to the Flaviar community and tasting boxes, so once the festive season is over you can continue to savour the flavour.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 50ml
Last year’s advent calendars
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey Advent Calendar
- Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey Advent Calendar, £95 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
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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
The Spirit Co. All American Whiskey & Bourbon Advent Calendar
- The Spirit Co. All American Whiskey & 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.
Number of products: 24, bottle size: 30ml
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!
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:
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.