Whisky is a popular gift. However, buying for that special someone – be it a partner, father, brother, work colleague or boss – can be surprisingly tricky, especially if you’re not an expert yourself. Preferences around whisky can be deeply personal, and if you don’t know what they usually drink, the smartest approach is simply to do a bit of research. A few quick questions will save you time, money and guesswork during the busiest gifting period of the year.
Below, we’ve gathered some foolproof picks — from bottles to accessories and memberships — at a range of price points to help steer you in the right direction and take the stress out of choosing.
Stocking Fillers
The Malt Whisky Yearbook
Ingvar Ronde’s Malt Whisky Yearbook makes a thoughtful, reliable stocking filler for any enthusiast. Since the inaugural edition appeared in 2005, a new volume has landed every autumn, and it’s become a fixture on whisky shelves worldwide.
Each issue is packed with up-to-date distillery profiles, brand information, production insights, statistics, trends and essays by respected whisky writers, all offering sharp takes on the industry’s most current topics.
Deeply informative and impressively researched, it has become an invaluable annual resource for both seasoned whisky fans and professionals alike. An easy win.
Whisky Stones
When whisky stones first emerged around a decade ago, many dismissed them as a passing fad. And yet, here they still are – as popular as ever and still one of the most dependable small gifts for any whisky lover.
The idea remains pleasingly simple: pop the stones in the freezer, then use them as you would ice. They chill the whisky without adding dilution, preserving both flavour and strength. A quick rinse afterwards and they’re ready to go again.
A clever, reusable little luxury.
Memberships & Education
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
If you’re looking to give someone a more experiential gift, signing them up for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is hard to beat. Formed in 1983, the SMWS is widely regarded as the ultimate whisky club, offering members access to whisky in its purest state — cask strength, natural colour and non-chill filtered.
Membership starts at £85 a year (£100 if you include a bottle) and unlocks monthly exclusive bottlings, entry to Society rooms and partner bars around the world, plus a calendar of tastings and events.
For anyone looking to deepen their knowledge, it’s a superb gateway.
Find out more at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Edinburgh Whisky Academy
If your budget stretches further, the Edinburgh Whisky Academy offers a series of structured courses ideal for the whisky enthusiast keen to learn more.
Programmes start at £125 and cover all levels of knowledge, from introductory foundations to more advanced topics. Most courses can be taken online at your own pace, and each comes with an official certificate on completion.
Whether it’s Scotch, Irish or American whisky, or broader subjects such as sensory perception and tasting technique, the Academy provides a professional, engaging way to broaden someone’s whisky horizons.
Shop now at Edinburgh Whisky Academy
Recommended Whiskies
If you’re looking for an affordable whisky that punches above its price point, you’ll find 12 superb options under £50 here. All would make excellent choices depending on what the recipient prefers in terms of style.
But if your budget is higher…
Glendronach 12 Years Old
Few whiskies feel more seasonally appropriate than those matured in ex-sherry casks. They offer rich, indulgent flavours of dried fruit, spice and sweetness — perfect for winter gifting.
Glendronach 12 is a benchmark example, matured in both Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks. The distillery, one of the Highland region’s sherry pioneers, has long championed these casks.
Expect notes of raisin, toffee, roasted nuts and warming spices reminiscent of mulled wine and festive baking. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Port Charlotte 10 Years Old
Smoky, peaty whisky can divide opinion, but when you know someone enjoys this style, Port Charlotte 10 is a superb, characterful choice.
Distilled at Bruichladdich on the island of Islay — the spiritual home of smoky Scotch — it delivers intense, earthy peat smoke balanced by sweetness from ex-bourbon casks and depth from French oak ex-wine barrels.
Think bonfire ashes intertwined with vanilla, stone fruits and gentle spice. Bold, robust and unmistakably Islay.
Buy now at The Whisky Exchange
Paul John Christmas Edition 2025
Each year, Indian single malt producer Paul John releases a Christmas edition, and the 2025 bottling is ideal for introducing someone to the vibrant world of Indian whisky.
The whisky spends five years in ex-bourbon casks before being split between Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for two additional years, then reunited for a further year’s marrying. The result? A festive profile brimming with plum, orange peel, dried fruits, butterscotch and a splash of spiced rum.
Slow sipping is encouraged.
A Good Old Fashioned Christmas Whisky 2025
The Whisky Exchange’s annual Christmas whisky has become something of a tradition, and the 2025 release continues the streak.
This year’s edition is a 16-year-old single malt from an undisclosed Highland distillery, distilled in 2009 and fully matured in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. It delivers layers of dried fruits, toasted nuts, baking spice, cherry and cocoa.
Rich, warming and tailor-made for pairing with a mince pie by the fire.
Buy now at The Whisky Exchange
New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt
American single malts are enjoying a moment, and New Riff is one of the names leading the charge. This Kentucky release blends five whisky types made from 11 different barley strains — including several heritage varieties — resulting in complexity well beyond its years.
Add a mix of cask maturations and you get a full-flavoured, cereal-driven whisky with depth, sweetness and spice.
A brilliant pick for anyone curious about the emerging American single malt category.
Buy now at The Whisky Exchange
Glenmorangie Signet
For a more generous budget, Glenmorangie Signet is a striking, luxurious choice. The distillery uses heavily roasted ‘chocolate malt’ — more commonly found in dark beers like porter and stout — to craft the base spirit.
The result is a richer, darker version of Glenmorangie, full of high-cocoa chocolate, roasted coffee bean, candied orange, dried apricot and gentle gingerbread spice.
It’s elegant, indulgent and unmistakably festive. A stunning Scotch for a special recipient.
