Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for the whisky lover in your life? If they already have an extensive whisky collection, selecting a bottle they will genuinely appreciate (or that's in your price range) can be challenging. Don't worry; we're here to help.
Our guide to Unique and Unusual Whisky Gifts offers a diverse selection of handcrafted products and personalized gifts that will impress even the most discerning whisky connoisseur. From bespoke items engraved with their initials to unique products expertly crafted by skilled artisans, we've curated a list of exceptional gifts that will elevate their whisky experience to the next level.
Read on for our top recommendations on how to surprise and delight the whisky lover in your life. UK readers should check out our Unusual Whisky Gifts UK Guide.
Unusual Handmade Whiskey Gifts
Any whisky fan would surely appreciate the craftsmanship in these handmade items.
From expertly crafted games made from reclaimed whiskey barrels to an assortment of functional steampunk characters, these items certainly fall into the category of unusual whisky gifts:
RusticDesignTR's handmade metal whisky dispensers are like nothing we've seen before. These steampunk figurines have an outstanding life-like quality and would be a key talking point in any bar. The functionality of the dispensers (for any spirit or wine) and lamps makes them a great utility in the home. Made in Turkey with worldwide shipping available.
These retrofitted jerry can mini bars are customisable with engraved glassware and an inner timber door panel to make the perfect unusual whisky gift. Each jerry can mini bar includes three tumbler glasses, a lockable door (with two keys), vintage stained premium pine wood racks, and a can rack dispenser with five standard-size soda/premix/RTD slots. The central section will store your gift recipient's favourite bottle of spirits (3.75" wide, 3.75" deep) up to 1 litre. Handmade in Ireland, shipping to the UK, USA and Australia.
SomethingForKeepsAU (Etsy) are a small Australian business producing Handmade Leather-Bound Journals made from Australian and New Zealand leather. The journals are available in various colours, cover images (Whisky Notes / Bourbon Notes) and page formats (blank, lined, grid, or the very handy whisky notes template pictured). Personalised engraving is also available. The journals ship gift wrapped and are available worldwide. Made in Australia with delivery available to the USA, UK, AU and NZ.
These hand-printed (letterpress) whisky tasting booklets from 33 Books Co. are a fabulous gift for a whisk(e)y lover. 33 Journals provide an easy way to quickly record whiskey tasting notes in a small, convenient notebook format (with a letterpress tasting note template on each page). They're thinner than an iPhone and easily fit in a back pocket. This set comes with a 33 Bottles of Bourbon journal, a 33 Drams of Scotch journal and 33 Glasses of Whiskey journal (all available separately), as well as a Glencairn tasting glass and a bespoke, click-style, American-made Bic ballpoint pen. The outer box is decorated with whisk(e)y barrel-inspired imagery so it makes a great impression. When you first open the box, some tips on how to best taste whisk(e)y are also included, making this a great gift for whisk(e)y newbies, too. Made in the USA with worldwide shipping available.
These whisky tasting cards from 33 Books Co. are another fabulous gift for a whisk(e)y lover. Flight cards are a great way to organise tasting events for experts and novices alike, and last as scrapbook-worthy souvenirs. There are 20 cards in each deck, enough for 60 glasses of whisk(e)y. Cards measure 10½ x 4 inches (25 x 10 cm) and are printed by hand (letterpress) on extremely heavy and absorbent, FSC-certified coaster stock. Flight cards are also available to purchase with timber flight decks made from orchard-salvaged Oregon Black Walnut, reclaimed Douglas Fir or upcycled ex-bourbon and/or wine barrels. Made in the USA with worldwide shipping available.
The classic Scratched Horses game, crafted from an authentic whiskey barrel head, and magnetised metal horses. Whether you choose to play for money or simply for the fun of it, this 21" diameter (1" thick) table top game is a unique decorative bar piece in addition to being functional and fun. Made in the USA with worldwide shipping available.
Unusual / Unique Whisky Drinking Accessories
There are now several knock-offs on the market, but Norlan were the ORIGINAL double-walled whisky glass and is a stark contrast to the more traditional Glencairn. The Norlan Glass is purposefully designed to capture whisky's unique aromatics and flavours, and the double-walled construction enhances the intensity of the colour of your spirit. Whether you're looking to gift a whiskey or whisky drinker, the Norlan is an unusual glass for enjoying a dram however you want to spell it. Available worldwide.
This stunning gift set is for the whisky connoisseur. The Norlan Alchemist Set contains a Norlan 'Drave' Pipette (machine tooled matt-finish aluminium), a sleek, lead-free crystal water container/carafe, and two Norlan whisky glasses. These are objects for the whisky alchemist, transforming their spirit through the slow, ritualized addition of water to whisky. Drop. By. Drop. All items come in beautifully presented gift boxes.
Four (4) stunning whisky tumblers from LIITON, each featuring a scale replica of iconic mountains: Mont Blanc, Fuji, K2, and Denali. This set also includes a 1-litre Mount Everest Peaks Decanter. And if you like your whisky chilled (or better yet, use for whisky cocktails like an Old Fashioned), these glasses are made with LIITON's proprietary X1 Crystaline chill charge system that chills your drink in just 18 seconds. The glasses are also available individually or in sets of 2.
We own a set of Waterford Marquis Markham Old Fashioned Crystal Tumblers and love them. They're very well-made pieces of glassware with an elegant cut glass design. At 11 oz the tumblers are perfect for adding a large ice cube or sphere, and double nicely as cocktail or water glasses. While the tumblers are available separately as a set of 4, this set also includes an elegant 32oz square decanter, in the same cut crystal finish as the tumblers.
The Marquis range is designed to bring you Waterford quality at an affordable price. If you're looking for a slightly fancier gift, the full range of Waterford decanter and glass sets offers some stunning options.
This stunning set from LSA includes two (2) handmade, mouth-blown whisky nosing glasses (stemmed) with glass covers, two (2) heavy based water or whisky tumblers (250ml), a hand cut water jug (300ml), and a 1-litre decanter with a hand ground stopper. The wooden coasters (2), decanter base and high-walled tray are shaped from American walnut, which is treated with food safe oils to bring out the grain and depth of colour. This is an extremely beautiful, elegant gift for a whisky lover. All items are available to purchase individually.
A Nosing Aroma Kit designed explicitly for whisky by the Aroma Academy Scotland. The kit (available as a 12 and 24 sensory sample kit) and accompanying guide booklet will dramatically increase your whisky nosing and tasting knowledge by introducing a series of crucial reference aromas found in whisky, improving your nosing terminology/vocabulary, and explaining the nosing and tasting process. Produced in the UK with worldwide shipping available.
I almost didn't include this item because it is SO unusual. However, it is one of my favourite whisk-related accessories, as it has saved my glassware more than a few times! Boon Grass is meant for drying baby bottles. I initially saw a new parent post their baby bottles drying next to their Glencairn glasses on their Boon Grass, and the Glencairn glasses were drying neatly without risk of falling over. We've had Boon Grass for two years, and it's the best (and probably cheapest!) whisky-related investment we've made. The plastic fingers support the glassware, minimising the risk that we'll accidentally break them, and the drip tray means you can stick it anywhere without puddles of water everywhere. Boon Grass is also fabulous for drying wine glasses, especially awkward (i.e. expensive) fine-stemmed ware that usually doesn't fit in a dishwasher. A very unusual and very useful gift for a whisky or wine lover.
The Clear Ice Cube Design Tray by Ash Harbor takes your ice experience to a whole new level. The aluminium ice press mould has 8 designs and is available in several 'themes' including 'Elements', 'Seasons' and 'Holiday'. The included silicone tray catches any drips as your ice cubes are transformed in just 5 seconds per side with some very cool designs. It's the perfect gift for those who appreciate a well-crafted drink. Pair the Design Tray with a clear ice maker for maximum effect.
On the quest for the perfect clear ice? Directional freezing is the way to go. To make it easy, the True Cubes clear ice kit has a silicon cube tray with four ice cube moulds (2"x2"x2") that nest inside a secondary silicon tray, which all sit nicely inside an outer cooler box. You only need regular tap water to fill the top tray up to the fill line (this will also fill up the bottom silicon tray). Then, pop the whole unit into your freezer and wait for the directional freezing to do its thing. The process in which the trays work will naturally purify the water, resulting in large clear cubes that are visually stunning and also almost as pure as distilled water (no funky taste). Perfect for use with the Ice Cube Pattern Tray.
Personalised Whiskey Gifts
What could be more unique than a customised gift? Whether it be a whiskey lover's initials, the coordinates of a famous distillery, or their favourite logo/design, the following stores can help you create the perfect bespoke present.
Natural wood flight/tasting board with two handles and pre-drilled glass-holding wells. The board can be delivered on its own, or with either three (3) Glencairn glasses, three (3) Belgian beer-style glasses, or three (3) wine caraffes. The included chalkboard tape strip allows for easy labelling (great idea). Flight board dimensions are 15” x 5” x 0.75” and the engraveable area measures approximately 4" by 3". Made in the USA with worldwide shipping available.
Personalised whiskey decanter and tumblers, available as decanter only, or in a two or four glass set. The decanter capacity is 850 mL and the whiskey glasses are 250 mL tumblers. Your choice of engraved design and gift packaging type. Made in the USA. Worldwide shipping is available.
WoodWorkWarriors (Etsy) specialise in engraving the location coordinates (GPS) of your choice onto reclaimed whiskey barrel staves. Choose a favourite region (Louisville, KY | Islay, Scotland) or something a little more specific, like the exact location and name of a favourite distillery. Made in Kentucky with shipping available in the USA and UK only.
Whisky Distillery Maps and Distillery Photographs
And last but not least, what about gifting one of our beautiful distillery maps or photographs? Our Scotland Distillery Map (designed by Roddy) is available as A2-A0 Fine Art Print or as a large format poster in various sizes (including USA poster size 24" x 36").
Worldwide shipping is available and we have a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
Wall Art, Phone Covers and Throw Pillows. The perfect addition to a home bar or man cave. Made by Whisky Lovers For Whisky Lovers.
Whisky Advent Calendars & Whisky Gift Packs
We're huge fans of sample packs and look forward to the release of whiskey advent calendars each year, as they are an affordable way of trying a lot of different whiskies from around the world. These high-quality samples are beautifully boxed, making for a very presentable gift that will equally delight a whiskey novice or die-hard fan. Just remember, if purchasing spirits from an online provider, you may have to pay additional charges (duty) to import the item into your country or the country of the person you're sending them to. Also be careful to only by Advent Calendars from reputable suppliers, as there are a lot of black market/fake calendars out there!
Master of Malt (UK based) has the best range of Advent Calendars, including those from Drinks by the Dram, and independent bottler Boutique-y Whisky. If your shipping address is the USA or Australia you sadly may not be able to order Advent Calendars from Master of Malt. For USA readers, we recommend Flaviar. If shipping to/within Australia, check out our Wonderful Whisky Gift Ideas You Can Actually Buy In Australia.
The Bourbon and American Whiskey Advent calendar contains 24 x 3cl (30ml) wax-sealed drams including: Bulleit Bourbon 10, Daddy Rack Small Batch, FEW Bourbon, Four Roses Single Barrel and Four Roses Small Batch Select, Maker's Mark Cask Strength, Michter's US*1 (Sour Mash, and Bourbon), Uncle Nearest 1856, Westward Whiskey, Westland 7yo Single Cask. Full list available on Master of Malt website.
The Japanese Whiskey Advent calendar contains 24 x 3cl (30ml) wax-sealed drams including: Hakushu (2), Hatozaki (2), Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Mars (2), Miyagikyo Single Malt, Nikka (4), The Kurayoshi Tottori, White Oak (3), Yamazaki 12yo and Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve, Yoichi Single Malt, and a 21yo Boutique-y Japanese Blended Whisky. Full list available on Master of Malt website.
The Master of Malt Premium Whisky Advent calendar contains a very special selection of 24 x 3cl (30ml) old and rare drams including: Aberlour 18yo, Bruichladdich 18yo, Bunnahabhain 18yo, Caol Ila 25yo, Dalmore King Alexander III, Fettercairn 22yo, Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23yo, Macallan 24yo 1993 Single Cask. Full list available on Master of Malt website.
Each year, the folks at Drinks by the Dram get together with That Boutique-y Whisky Company for a great big festive bash, whittling down some of their favourite Boutique-y whiskies to feature in their latest Whisky Advent Calendar. There are 24 exquisite samples of whisky to behold - each wax-sealed sample contains a 30ml measure of top-quality whisky including: 12yo Speyside, 8yo Islay, 8yo Canadian Corn, Peated Highland 18yo, Westport 21yo, 30yo Blended Grain and 25yo Glenrothes. Full list available on Master of Malt website.
This Ardbeg gift set includes a full sized bottle of powerfully peaty Ardbeg 10 Year Old single malt, accompanied by a pair of Ardbeg branded glasses in limited-edition packaging. Ardbeg 10 is not for the faint of heart: dense smoke, coastal brine and a thread of citrus define this Islay classic, with lapsang souchong, lemon peel, tar, espresso and salted liquorice carrying through from nose to finish. The perfect gift for a lover of peat.
Created for the outdoor adventurer, this smart gift set from Nc'nean includes their signature organic single malt whisky - full of citrus, stone fruit and subtle spices - alongside a beautifully decorated and Nc'Nean branded hiking flask that keeps liquid hot or cold for up to four hours. Perfect for enjoying a warming Hot Toddy in the great outdoors, the set includes Nc'nean's recipe for the classic whisky/lemon/honey combo, which you can customize with fresh ginger or cinnamon to taste. An ideal gift for whisky lovers who enjoy long winter walks with a warming flask in hand.
Even More Whisky Gift Ideas
Still haven't found what you're looking for? Have a look at our Whisky Woman's Guide To Whisky Gifts, Gifts For Old Fashioned Lovers (some great whisky-cocktail suggestions), Alcohol Gifts for a Spirited Woman and our Mother's Day Gift Guide (whisky gifts are gender neutral so check out the guides even if you're shopping for a guy) and if you're in Australia (or purchasing for someone who is) see our Wonderful Whisky Gift Ideas You Can Actually Buy In Australia.
Posters and Fine Art Prints of Islay Distilleries | Maps and Photographs | Made By Whisky Lovers, For Whisky Lovers.