Are you on the hunt for the perfect whisky gift in Australia? While the range of Scotch options overseas is considerable, and the prices can seem cheaper at first, when buying from non-Australian retailers, you need to be mindful of the taxes and customs charges due when your whisky gets here. The cost can almost double!
Luckily, our guide to Wonderful Whisky Gift Ideas You Can Actually Buy In Australia is here to help. We'll help you decide which whisky (available in Australia) is best to gift and then dive into our top recommendations for whisky sampler packs, gift sets, and unusual whisky gifts that are sure to impress.
And to make things even easier, we've curated a list of our favourite Australian whisky retailers that offer a fantastic selection of high-quality whiskies.
Whether you're shopping for a whisky enthusiast or someone just starting their journey into the world of whisky, our guide has something for everyone. So read on and let us help you find the perfect whisky gift in Australia.
Which Whisky Is Best To Gift?
There technically is no correct answer to 'which whisky is best to gift' as there are SO MANY different whiskies, and every gift recipient will have their preferred flavours/styles. This makes buying a single whisky as a gift incredibly daunting, which is why we like to gift sampler packs as there's always something for everyone.
However, to help you pick a fabulous whisky gift, we've put together the following list of whiskies that we would gift to our friends and family and that we would happily receive as gifts as well (hint hint to said friends and family). They're all readily available in Australia, and the links we've provided are to Australian retailers.
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The Gospel Solera is hands down my favourite Rye and the best base spirit for a Manhattan, Boulevardier or even an Old Fashioned (I prefer them a little sweeter). It is matured in new American oak and ex-Australian wine barrels. The Gospel have a fantastic range of pre-mixed cocktails and whiskey cocktail gift sets. This is an unusual enough whisky that it will be a rare find for most whisky fans and a much-welcome gift for those who have already tried it.
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Roddy and I were very fortunate to attend the unveiling of Cape Byron's long-awaited whisky, made in collaboration with Roddy's old boss, master distiller Jim McEwan. We're both huge fans of their Brookie's Gins (Jim has been involved since the beginning), and the whisky is of the same high quality. Made in Byron Bay, Cape Byron Distillery is a fabulous place to visit, and now they're also producing some of our favourite whiskies.
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I love Elements of Islay Full Proof (bottled at 59.3% abv). It is a blend of whiskies from several Islay distilleries - my guess is mostly Caol Ila and Laphroaig, as that's what Elements of Islay Full Proof reminds me of. This is a whisky I can happily drink all afternoon, and it would make a marvellous gift for someone you know who likes Islay whisky, but maybe you're not sure which distilleries.
Tasting notes from Nicks.com.au "Dark chocolate, then cool mint-fresh, peppery whiffs of kipper / kelp / seashore; damp terracotta and threads of Crunchie bar in the later stages, finally eclipsed by earthier notes of woolshed / farmyard / lanolin. Intense yet balanced with restrained oily malt, iodine and white pepper. Solid length. Dries out considerably towards the finish. Just about all you could want in an Islay dram."
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If you're not sure whether your gift recipient enjoys peated whisky or not, but you'd like to get them something from Scotland, then you can't go wrong with Bunnahabhain 12yo. It is ever so delicately peated (sometimes I forget it is technically a peated whisky as the influence is so slight).
Bunnahabhain 12 has the maritime style (think 'by the sea') you expect in an Islay single malt but without the smack-you-round-the-head medicinal ashtray you might expect from other Islay distilleries (try the Elements of Islay Full Proof if your gift recipient enjoys those). Bunnahabhain 12 is light and fresh and is consistently one of our go-to whiskies.
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Waterford works directly with the barley farmers - over 100 Irish growers - some organic, some biodynamic, some heritage grains - and each whisky is unique to that farm or grain type. If you have ever wondered what the grain influence has on a whisky, the Waterford range is the best place to start. And they also make REALLY GOOD Irish whisky (and they insist on spelling it without an e).
Whisky Sampler Packs Australia
Whisky sampler packs are a fantastic gift option as they're already nicely boxed and ready to present, and they contain a selection of whiskies, so you don't have to worry about picking the wrong one. All of these sets are available from Australian retailers.
For a broader selection of gift sets, see our Whisky Lover’s Guide to Unusual & Unique Whisky Gifts and A Whisky Woman’s Guide To Whisky Gifts.
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The Drinks by The Dram 12 Miniature Whisky Collection of 3cl (30ml) wax-sealed samples of whiskies 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.
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The Drinks by The Dram American Whisky Collection is a fabulous whisky gift for a bourbon or rye whiskey lover. The Collection includes five wax-sealed glass 30ml samples from distilleries around the USA, boxed up and ready to present.
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The Drinks by The Dram Japanese Whisky Collection is an excellent introduction to Japanese whisky. The Japanese Whisky Collection includes five wax-sealed glass 30ml samples from distilleries around Japan, including detailed tasting notes, all neatly presented in a gift box.
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From Melbourne Distillers Starward, this Whisky Gift Pack features three 200ml bottles of their awarded and much lauded-whiskies: Two-Fold, Nova and Fortis.
Whisky Gift Sets Australia
While the sampler packs provide you with a broad range of tastings, we love a good gift set for the broad range of ITEMS, especially if they include branded glassware (as most of these sets do).
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A fabulous gift pack from the founders of modern Tasmanian whisky, this set includes three x200ml Lark Distillery whiskies and a Lark-branded Glencairn whisky glass.
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Johnnie Walker is probably the most recognisable brand in the world of whisky. Most of us start our whisky journies with Johnnie (often with coke), but Blue Label is at a whole other level. This box set is the perfect gift for a Johnnie Walker fan. Full-size 700ml bottle of Blue Label and two Johnnie Walker Crystal Glasses in a Johnnie Blue gift box. Also available as a Johnnie Walker Green Label gift set.
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This gorgeous gift set from Gifts Australia includes a Glenmorangie Taster Pack with four Glenmorangie whiskies, and Glenmorangie branded socks. For a great night in, the hamper also contains Maggie Beer Quince Paste, Artisan Crackers, Toffee Popcorn (2), Savoury Nut Mix, Kangaroo Island Olives, and Roasted Capsicum Tapenade.
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Great gift for an Irish whisky fan - a 1 LITRE bottle of Bushmills Irish whiskey and 2 Bushmills tasting glasses, all packaged up and ready to present in a carry bag style gift box reminiscent of the Bushmills distillery.
Unusual Whisky Gifts Australia
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This elegant Whiskey Decanter Globe and Glass Set will stand out on any bar, countertop, or drinks trolley for that added touch of class. The decanter and matching whisky glasses are made from quality glassware with a frosted map of the earth. The glass globe decanter capacity is 940ml and comes with a glass stopper. It also includes two 270ml whisky glasses and a timber decanter stand.
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This Stormtrooper Decanter is the perfect gift for a Star Wars Fan and Whisky Lover (this is quite a large number of people we know). Shaped to match the original moulds of the Stormtrooper helmet and armour created by Andrew Ainsworth, prop designer for the first Star Wars movie in 1976. The decanter weighs 950g, has a capacity of 750ml, and includes a cork stopper.
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DuckManorWoodworking (Etsy) are a small Australian business producing customisable whisky flight paddles handmade from Tasmanian oak. Holes are cut on one side for dram placement (either 3 or 4, depending on your preference), and personalised engraving is available on the other. Timber gift tags are also available.
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SomethingForKeepsAU (Etsy) are a small Australian business producing Handmade Leather-Bound Journals. 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.
Gifts For Old Fashioned Lovers Australia
While you should also see our Gift Guide for an Old Fashioned Lover, the following gifts are available from Australian suppliers and will satisfy an Old Fashioned cocktail fan.
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The Everleigh (award-winning Melbourne cocktail bar) seemed to kick off the pre-made cocktail craze during the two years of COVID lockdowns in Melbourne - I know because a dear friend gifted a box set of Everleigh cocktails to me, and they were a definite highlight during a really crappy time. The bottles are beautiful (they are square and solid and modern), and the gift box is of very high quality - I kept my empty bottles and box for several months after as I couldn't bear to throw them away. This set includes a 500ml bottle of Old Fashioned cocktail (29% abv, all you need to do is chill it and drink it) and two cut-crystal style tumblers. Also available as a mini 'two to share' with two glasses and 2x85ml Old Fashioned cocktails.
From the distillers of my favourite rye (see The Gospel Solera above), The Gospel Old Fashioned Pre-Made Cocktails are delicious. I've had these several times as their cocktails sets are a fantastic gift (I've received and given). Like the Everleigh, you chill it and drink it - they're 30% abv and are hands down one of my favourite Old Fashioneds. This bottle is the 500ml version, though a smaller 100ml version is available in a cocktail set (along with a Manhattan, Sazerac and Boulevardier). And for a DIY cocktail gift, see the Gospel Old Fashioned Kit.
Our Favourite Australian Whisky Retailers
There is an extensive selection of whisky out there in the wide world, and most of the big online retailers like Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt do ship to Australia AND their prices at checkout are often a lot cheaper than you will see from Australian retailers AND they carry a much bigger selection of whiskies than you'll find anywhere locally.
However, you must be aware that when you purchase alcohol outside Australia, you must pay customs duties to import it into Australia, making your bargain purchase potentially expensive on arrival. That's why the Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt offer very competitive prices to Australian customers. They know the consumer will pay additional costs after it has left their warehouse.
The following retailers are worth checking out as their prices are competitive and their whisky selections are excellent: