There are a ton of great gifts out there for whiskey lovers, but it can be hard to know what to buy when you’re not a fan of the spirit yourself. Giving someone who loves a wee dram a fancy new bottle, a gorgeous set of glasses or a cocktail smoker is bound to put a smile on their face.
From fancy double-walled glassware to clear ice molds to a Dior decanter, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gifts to give whisky and whiskey lovers. (P.S. The difference between whiskey and whisky is where it comes from: The Scots, Canadians and Japanese tend to take out the E; the Irish and Americans leave it in.)
This set of six whiskey glasses is a classic — hello, cut crystal! Plus there are enough in this half-dozen set to give your dinner guests a nightcap.
Should the whiskey lover in your life be a fan of cocktails, Hotel Starlino maraschino cherries are the perfect garnish. These aren’t your usual maraschino cherries: They’re made in Naples by a four-generation, family-owned business that started back in 1911.
Whiskey and caramels go together like wine and chocolate, so if the person you’re shopping for has a sweet tooth, a trio of these boozy caramels — which include a whiskey flavor and an absinthe one too — will be a much-loved gift.
This cocktail mixer is right at the $20 price point but feels super indulgent. And while a lot of premixed cocktails leave a little to be desired, this hits the taste buds just right. The brand recommends pairing it with rye in a ratio of four parts liquor to one part mixer.
For those who are very serious about their mixology, this smoked cocktail gift set gives them everything they need to add a smoky flavor to their Scotch and more. It includes a mini torch, two rocks glasses and a wooden platform — made from whiskey-barrel wood, of course — to rest the glass on as the magic happens.
Perfect for whiskey lovers who enjoy trying new bottles, this gift subscription expands horizons with a full bottle plus a tasting box with three vials of whiskey each quarter.
This award-winning whiskey (over 1,000 times!) is a family affair that goes all the way back to when former slave Nearest Green taught Jack Daniels how to distill. Good taste still runs in the family: A fifth-generation descendant, Victoria Eady Butler, oversees the batches and is a four-time Master Blender of the Year winner.
If your whiskey lover is just getting started on their “journey,” gift them this handy book. Written by an expert, it goes into detail about how the drink is made, great bottles and tips on what (and how) to drink it.
At $50 a pop, these modern tumblers aren’t the cheapest, but serious whiskey drinkers know that Norlan’s glasses are optimal, thanks to the double-wall construction that amplifies the coloring of the beverage and makes it a great vessel for a bit of ice.
If you’re short on time, you can order a bottle of Woodford Reserve for pickup or delivery and your recipient will be pleased as (whiskey) punch.
Did you know Dior makes decanters? Now you do. Give the designer-loving, top-shelf-whiskey-drinking special someone a made-in-France, 100% crystal decanter to pour their fine spirits from.
Ice in whiskey? A true connoisseur would say never. Instead, these chilling rocks get whiskey cool without diluting a single drop. This set is great for entertaining since each stone is a different color (all the easier to keep track of your glass when a few are on the table).
It’s very difficult to find a whiskey-related candle that isn’t needlessly gendered, but this gorgeous one from Target’s Threshold line smells as good as it looks.
These coasters are a great alternative to whiskey stones — and they let the glass chill when it needs it most (when they’re not sipping from it).
Nikka is one of Japan’s most important whisky producers, and its signature From the Barrel blend marries single malt and grain whiskies into one beautiful pour. (It took home the gold from the 2020 World Whiskies Awards too.)
This Rambler is perfect for whiskey around the campfire, thanks to its durable build and double-walled insulation. The MagSlider lid keeps contents from sloshing (or errant insects and debris from contaminating your Scotch).
This frankly sexy set of barware is a statement piece to show off just how good they are at making cocktails — and the perfect timeless antidote to the usual various shades of metal. If you don’t need a full setup — or can’t splash that much cash — this $40 Williams Sonoma x Sheila Bridges Harlem Toile Mixing Glass is a downright gorgeous addition to any mixology setup.
For a taste of Ireland, this triple-casked whiskey is incredible value for the money. It’s wonderful enough to sip, but it’s also a great pick for using in cocktails.
This handy jigger is great for making a solo cocktail — or a batch for a group, thanks to its four different sizes.
Turn vodka into whiskey (yes, really) through the alchemy of this whiskey-making kit. Your lucky recipient will use the included book as a guide to add wood chips (flavor and color), plus different botanicals to kick things up a notch. It comes with glass bottles to let the spirit rest for three to four weeks, then you can pour it out over the included whiskey stones.
Whiskey and fine leatherbound volumes go hand-in-hand, and while it’s been a while since a book has cost this much, the look, feel and information in this encyclopedia are well worth it if you’re gifting to a whiskey aficionado — who will still undoubtedly find many things to learn in its pages.
Receiving a bottle of this incredibly famous (for good reason) Scotch is a big deal, so if you’re serious about this someone, and they’re serious about their whisky, this is a go-to gift that’s sure to be a favorite.
Whiskey and flasks go hand in hand — especially on cold days. This one from Stanley has a built-in cap and a wide-mouth sipper. Plus, it comes in a ton of colors, including an on-trend terracotta-like Cinnamon.
If your lucky recipient is more of a mixologist than a straight sipper, this book of 100 cocktail recipes involving Scotch, whiskey and bourbon will give them inspiration for many evenings and gatherings to come.
If you go to a whiskey tasting or a fancy whiskey bar, these are the glasses you’ll likely find. The tulip shape helps the nose of the whiskey funnel up to your, well, nose, letting you (or the lucky recipient) taste the spirit and its complexity fully.
This ice cube maker takes a whiskey cocktail to the next level with the production of super-clear ice.
If you’re after a splurge, this gorgeous bottle of Yamazaki whisky will undoubtedly get pride of place on your lucky recipient’s bar cart. It has a reputation as Japan’s best single malt, so should your whiskey lover tend to turn toward Irish and Scottish classics as go-tos, this is a guaranteed delicious way to switch up their taste profile.
This compact bar cart is the perfect size for small apartments inhabited by whiskey-loving people. The glass and mirror glass is the perfect combination of polish and style for small bottle and bitters collections, plus some key barware and glasses.