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 UK offers a diverse selection of handcrafted products and personalized gifts that will impress even the most discerning whisky connoisseur.
Any whisky fan would surely appreciate the craftsmanship in these handmade items, all of which are available either in the UK or can be shipped to the UK (the Jerry Can Mini Bars are made in Ireland, and the Steampunk Dispensers are made in Turkey).
Unusual Handmade Whisky Gifts
Made in the UK by ScotchWhiskyGifts (Etsy Star Seller), these beautiful handcrafted whisky flight boards are made from oak (ex-whisky barrel staves), with several styles of Harris Tweed hole-inserts to chose from. The boards are available in several sizes (varying number of holes) and ScotchWhiskyGifts has a wide selection of tweed patterns/colours to chose from for the inserts. The boards are also available with a set of Glencairn tasting glasses.
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.
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, worldwide shipping is available. Returns & exchanges are accepted.
Hand crafted from ex-whisky oak barrels, this hook and loop game can be played as a drinking game (it comes with a single Glencairn glass) or with blocks (not included). This Barrel Stave Hook and Loop game is made in Warwick, UK by BeeSpokeBarrels (Etsy) - also check out their fabulous charred barrel stave cufflinks.
Designed and crafted in Scotland, FiODH's watches are made from reclaimed whisky casks (top case), the finest Quartz Swiss movements, and handmade Scottish Muirhead Leather wrist bands hand-stitched in Scotland. You will struggle to find anything more unique and Scottish for Scotch whisky fans than FiODH watches. FiODH has done several collaborations (including Glenfiddich), and customised watches are available.
Hand crafted from ex-whisky oak barrels, BeeSpokeBarrels make some rather unique cufflinks (especially with the char/timber combination). The charred oak is enhanced by a high quality mineral oil to finish the silver-plated cufflinks. Each pair of cufflinks come in a presentation box. Made in Warwick, UK. Also check out their Barrel Stave Hook and Loop Game.
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.
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.
Norlan's double-insulated Old Fashioned Tumblers are as robust as glassware gets and are not for the faint-hearted. Available in two sizes, the recently released 350ml Double Old Fashioned Tumbler weighs in at a very hefty 800g. The slightly smaller but equally dense 250ml Tumbler weighs a 'mere' 500g. Norlan Ruak Heavy Tumblers are made from non-leaded crystal, so there's no risk of reactivity with your whisky. They are must-have glasses for a whisky drinker who likes to nurse their dram in something solid (and they're ideal if you also want to add ice or enjoy a whisky cocktail).
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.
I almost didn't include this item because it is SO unusual. However, it is one of my favourite whisky-related accessories, as it has saved our 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 three 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. Available from AmazonUK.
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. Available from AmazonUK.
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. Available from AmazonUK.
Advent Calendars and Whisky Samples
We're huge fans of sample packs and look forward to the release of whisky 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.
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. Be careful to only by Advent Calendars from reputable suppliers, as there are a lot of black market/fake calendars out there!
The Bourbon and American Whiskey Advent calendar contains 24 x 3cl (30ml) wax-sealed drams including: Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Bulleit Bourbon 10, FEW Bourbon, FEW Rye, James Cree's 8yo Cattle Ranch Whiskey, Maker's Mark 46, Michter's US*1 (Rye and Bourbon), Redwood Empire Pipe Dream, Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch, Westland American Oak. Full list available on Master of Malt website.
The Japanese Whisky Advent calendar contains 24 x 3cl (30ml) wax-sealed drams including: Chita Single Grain, Hakushu (2), Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Kaiyo (3), Miyagikyo Single Malt, Mars (2), Nikka (2), The Kurayoshi (x2), White Oak (x2), Yamazaki 12 Year Old, Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve, Yoichi Single Malt. Full list available on Master of Malt website. Advent box is available in 2 different designs.
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The Drinks by The Dram 12 Miniature Whisky Collection of 3cl (30ml) wax-sealed samples is a safe bet as a whisky gift as there are a variety of drams from around the world, and they are beautifully presented in a gift box ready for Father's Day. Whiskies include: Glengoyne 12, Teeling Small Batch, Brenne French Single Malt Whisky, Smooth Ambler Old Scout American Whiskey, Berry Bros. & Rudd Peated Cask Matured - The Classic Range, World Whisky Blend (That Boutique-y Whisky Company), Mortlach 16, Aerolite Lyndsay 10 - The Character of Islay Whisky Company, Darkness 8 Year Old, Tobermory 12, Green Isle and Burnt Ends Blended Whiskey.
Whisky Maps and Distillery Posters
And last but not least, what about gifting one of our beautiful distillery maps or photographs? Our Scotland Distillery Map (designed by Roddy) is our most popular selling item, followed closely behind by our Islay Distillery Maps - all printed in the UK!
Wall Art, Phone Covers and Throw Pillows. The perfect addition to a home bar or man cave. Made by Whisky Lovers For Whisky Lovers.
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 Oz.
Posters and Fine Art Prints of Islay Distilleries | Maps and Photographs | Made By Whisky Lovers, For Whisky Lovers.