Choosing the perfect whisky gift for the enthusiast in your life can feel like an impossible task. Whether it’s a birthday, Christmas, or anniversary, these occasions have a way of sneaking up on us, leaving you scrambling to recall their preferences—or worse, what you gifted last year.
Rather than just listing bottles that might hit the mark, this guide offers practical advice from a retail insider on how to select a whisky gift that’s truly meaningful. With a focus on understanding their tastes and keeping track of past purchases, you’ll learn how to ensure your choice is thoughtful, relevant, and sure to impress.
What Did You Buy Last Year?
Working in retail as the manager of The Whisky Shop, Manchester, I cannot tell you how many people come into the store and cannot remember what they bought their favorite whisky-lover the year before. Luckily, there are a couple of things that can help you remember.
Retail Till Systems
This takes all of the responsibility away from you as a customer and puts the data in the hands of the retailer. Most EPOS systems now have the ability to create customer accounts, which given the specialist side of spirits retailing also means that it will typically store what your prior purchases were.
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Just like any receipt it’ll be dated, list what was purchased, and can just be grabbed from a database, rather than having to go through your own personal back-track of receipts. We all remember having to do that, luckily no more! Unless you want to, of course. Always remember to create an account with your favorite retailer!
Your Phone
The incredibly powerful thing that we look at however many times a day. This is the greatest way to remember what the person you’re buying for likes. Pictures of a whisky collection, individual bottles, and other spirits that are lying around their kitchen or house. Just don’t get caught sneaking around, there may be other questions to answer then. But always grab pictures of what you’ve already bought, or what they already have. You’ll thank yourself later.
Here’s where we get into the more classical section of this article, what styles to get when you’ve attained all of this information.
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Non-Peated Whisky Gifts
This section draws the most attention from gift buyers. Peated whiskies can be polarising, so if you’re unsure whether the recipient enjoys them, it’s best to steer clear. Instead, explore other bold flavor profiles, such as sherry cask whiskies. For a safe and crowd-pleasing choice, consider iconic expressions such as The Dalmore 15 Year Old or The Macallan 12 Year Old. These whiskies may not be the rarest or most niche options, but their stellar reputation and elegant packaging make them perennial favorites during gift-giving seasons. After all, presentation matters when it’s a gift.
If you’d like to venture into something a bit more unique, consider whiskies with unconventional cask maturations. For example, the new Tomatin Sherry Cask Series – recently reviewed extensively – offers expressions aged in Palo Cortado, Pedro Ximénez, and Manzanilla sherry casks. For someone with a sweeter palate, these are delightful alternatives to the standard sherry-cask offerings and are sure to stand out.
Peated Whisky Gifts
This section dives into the distinctive world of peated whisky. The options narrow here, as not every distillery produces peated expressions, and some that do may not release them widely. As a result, the selection is more focused. For a classic and reliable choice, gravitate towards beloved brands like Lagavulin 16 Year Old or the new Laphroaig 18 Year Old—ideal for an impressive and extravagant gift.
For those seeking something a bit more niche, the peated whisky category offers plenty of depth for enthusiasts. Laphroaig Elements 2.0 is a standout example, perfect for the seasoned whisky drinker looking for something beyond the usual. Unlike the divisive Laphroaig 10 Year Old, this 2.0 release features a longer fermentation process, yielding a more aromatic, fruit-driven whisky while retaining its signature Islay smokiness. It showcases the range and complexity Laphroaig can deliver beneath the peat.
For a unique twist on peated whisky, consider the Cù Bòcan 12 Year Old Rum Cask. This peated Tomatin expression remains under the radar for many whisky fans. Tomatin deserves recognition for offering one of the most diverse single malt portfolios in Scotland, and Cù Bòcan stands out as an exciting option. For the whisky lover who thinks they’ve tried it all, this range provides a refreshing and unexpected experience.
Bourbon/American Whiskey Gifts
Just buy Four Roses Single Barrel. It’s excellent. Every Bourbon fan will thank you. The only absolute you’ll hear from me in this article.
Other World Whiskies
I’ve recently been quite blown away by the Godawan Indian Single Malt releases. They’re both unpeated but have some of the richest, approachable, and deeply complex notes I’ve ever come across in any type of single malt.
Final Thoughts on Gifting
When in doubt, most retailers will have a really cool and interesting selection of single cask whiskies available in all of their shops. Chat with the staff and ask them what the best-sellers are, try them while you’re there, or just smell them if you’re not a whisky fan. Doing this, along with some of the points above, will help you get the perfect gift for whoever you’re buying for.
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