We know December is a long, long way off but you can never get started on your festive to-do list too early.
Sure, it’s probably a tad too early to root around the attic for the tree and baubles, and you’re likely getting ahead of yourself if you’re looking at turkey crowns in the frozen aisle on the weekly shop.
But you know what it’s not too early for? Even when it’s summer temperatures and blue skies out, we should still definitely be talking about ticking advent calendars off our shopping lists.
This year’s haul has already started trickling in, from beauty and gin to adult toys. Advent calendars have snowballed into a whole Christmas category and while you can still find options stuffed silly with chocolate, the most sought-after boxes don’t contain any candy at all.
Instead, behind those 12 or 24 festively festooned windows lie surprises of a different kind. We’re talking premium skincare, jewellery, chic stationery, popcorn and more. Boozy advent calendars are among the highest in demand, with options ranging from wine and gin to rum and whisky.
Ideal for fans of Scotch, a whisky advent calendar offers a delicious way to count down to December 25 and discover new varieties and brands without splurging on a whole bottle of something that may end up gathering dust on a shelf.
Each 30ml dram is designed to educate as you explore and learn about the beauty of whisky. Alongside the good stuff, there are some calendars that throw in drinking accessories such as glasses or whisky stones to help elevate the experience. Save the drams for after dinner, or ward off Jack Frost by making a hot toddy.
And if you choose wisely, you might even find a full-sized bottle to enjoy on the big day.
Ready to dive in? Scroll on to find the best whisky calendars to warm your cockles this December.
Shop now
Best alternative advent calendars for Christmas 2023: Non-chocolate pressies for adults
Best wine advent calendars of 2023 to countdown to Christmas with tasty tipples
Best beauty advent calendars of 2023: Which to buy and what products are included
Best artificial Christmas trees of 2023: From pre-lit to classic styles to suit your home
Best gifts for Christmas 2023: Ideas for the whole family
Best gifts for women 2023: Christmas and birthday present ideas she will love
Single Malts of Scotland Advent Calendar
The story of Scotland’s whisky-making history is rich and colourful, so what better way to delve into it than with this whisky-packed advent, packaged in a bookish box? From light to densely peated, there are 25 x 30ml samples to wet your whistle, but all share one thing: they’re single-cask varieties.
Ageing ranges from seven years to 31, from some of Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries.
Buy now £225.00, The Whisky Exchange
Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar (2023 Edition)
If you’re looking for an extra special advent countdown this year, this epic advent calendar won’t fail to hit the sweet spot. It not only features a stylish design, but it holds some of the most exclusive, elusive and high-quality whiskies on the planet.
Sit down to sip on something new every day until December 25 (with the included Glencairn tasting glass, no less) with 24 x 30ml drams from some of the most revered distilleries on Earth.
Buy now £999.95, Master of Malt
The Whisky Exchange Spirits Advent Calendar
A gem for liquor lovers, this calendar brings the very best drinks from across the planet to your door this Christmas. The green and gold book design flips over to reveal 24 perfectly portioned miniatures, covering everything from richly flavoured whisky to artisan spirits from around the globe. When Christmas Day dawns, you’ll find a very special 25th bottle to mark the big day.
Packed to the brim with exclusive bottlings, craft spirits and some of the brightest names in biz, this epic calendar makes an extra luxurious treat to sink into before Christmas kicks off. We suggest enjoying your daily surprise in the evening; morning tastings may not go down well at the office!
Buy now £145.00, The Whisky Exchange
Drinks by the Dram Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar (2023 Edition)
A bonnie option for your favourite Scotch whisky aficionado, Drinks by the Dram has made this advent calendar for those who love spirits crafted northwards of Hadrian’s Wall.
As with the other calendars in the brand’s series, this too offers 24 x 30 bottles sealed with wax. You’ll spot familiar names like Johnnie Walker, Jura and Dalmore, but a few curveballs in the fray there too.
Choose from White Christmas and Original box designs.
Buy now £149.95, Master of Malt
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Savour the 12 Drams of Christmas calendar
It really is Christmas over at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society; you need only to look at its advent calendar for confirmation. The line-up consists of a dozen cask-strength drams from distilleries all over Scotland, each a pleasing 50ml a go (most competitors offer 30ml). The twist? All distilleries are kept secret and given descriptive names so you can focus on the spirit in your glass, rather than be blinkered by branding or prestige. As a bonus gift, you will also get a year's membership to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, allowing you to delve further into your whisky journey.
On sale from September 29.
Buy now £199.00, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Drinks by the Dram Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar 2022 Edition
If you’re a fan of all things from the Land of the Rising Sun, continue your admiration for Japanese whisky with this advent from Drinks by the Dram. There are two designs to choose from: the original and this beautifully decorated kintsugi option.
Each box contains 24 x 30ml wax-sealed vials, delivering a host of exciting styles and flavour profiles. Brands include the well-established such as Suntory, as well as smaller distillers. The design is recyclable, as long as you remove the wax first (tip: it comes off a treat with hot water).
Available now
Buy now, Master of Malt
Johnnie Walker 12 Days of Discovery limited edition calendar
Put a spring in their step this Christmas with Johnnie Walker’s limited edition whisky advent calendar. The handsome yellow and white box opens to reveal a dozen branded miniatures to enjoy in the 12 days before Christmas. Whether they’re new to the world of whisky or just want a journey through Johnnie Walker’s core range, it’s the perfect boozy gift for a fan.
Available now.
Buy now £56.30, Amazon
Drinks by the Dram World Whisky Advent Calendar (2023 Edition)
Though purists would argue that Scottish whisky is the OG, the spirit has been embraced the world over. This constellation-patterned advent offers a global perspective on the drink, presenting 24 x 30ml wax-sealed drams in advent calendar form. Prepare to explore booze from every corner of the globe.
Buy now £149.95, Master of Malt
That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar (2023 Edition)
There’s no danger of your glass running dry this December, not if you get stuck into That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s advent calendar. The jovial box adds to the excitement, showing whisky elves preparing for the festivities. Behind each of the 24 windows is a 30ml sample dram siphoned from some of the world’s finest, specialist distillers.
Pre-order now for delivery from September 1.
Buy now £149.95, Master of Malt
Drinks by the Dram Single Cask Whisky Advent Calendar
Serving up another journey into the exquisiteness of whisky, Drinks by the Drams presents this calendar dedicated to unearthing delicious single-cask whiskies.
The design, covered in a rustic wood print, includes 24 different wax-sealed glass drams by 22 distilleries from three nations.
Available for delivery from September 1.
Buy now £249.95, Master of Malt
Really Good Whisky The Scotch Whisky 12 Day Collection
There are ten whisky advent calendars at retailer Really Good Whisky, differing in quantity and geography of the distillery.
The most economical of the lot is the 12 Day Scotch Whisky advent calendar at under £50. But just because it’s economical, it doesn’t mean it isn’t special. Along with 12 tasting drams of some of Scotland’s finest whisky producers - some aged up to 14 years - the box holds a QR code to unlock extra video content and flavour profiles. Curated by experts for fans, it’s a brilliant way to dip into whisky this Christmas.
Connoisseurs will probably prefer the 25-day compilations. Along with Scotch at all price categories, there’s also a global whisky advent calendar and one that focuses on bourbon and US renditions.
Buy now £129.99, Really Good Whisky
