2019 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Whisky Nerd on Your List

So you have a whisky nerd on your gift list this year? Perhaps you’re looking to impress your imbibe enthusiast with your great taste in whisky gifts? Look no further, I’ve got you covered! Get them whisky stones!

JUST KIDDING!!!!!

If you actually drink whisky, you’ll know that no one actually needs, wants or uses whisky stones. Not all whisky lovers prefer cold whisky and for the ones that do, they’ll know that whisky stones don’t keep drinks cool as well as ice.

Here is my list of top gifts for whisky nerds, from my whisky nerd to yours!

1. Cocktailing Accessories

Maraschino cherries, bitters, shrubs or creative infusions are always a great and easy gift for an imbibophile – especially one that likes to experiment with new flavours. If you’re looking to show someone that you think they’re really special, there is nothing more unique, memorable and thoughtful than gifting someone your own homemade cocktailing shrub! (Fun fact: I got one from Monica @liqculture once, and I still remember it!) If you’re like me and you’re just not that great around a kitchen, you can also pick up a bottle of unique bitters!

2. Bottles Under $100 (LCBO Pricing)

This year I’m sharing my favourite expressions under $100 or what I like to call “Gifting Whiskies”. These are all available in Ontario at the LCBO for under $100.

• Nikka From the Barrel ($68.95)
• Macallan 12 Double Oak ($99.95)
• Redbreast 12-Year-Old ($79.95)
• The Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood ($99.95)
• Alberta Premium Cask Strength ($64.95)

3. Glassware

Most whisky drinkers will already own their own preferred drinking vessel but sometimes, I find if I am doing a blind tasting or comparing a new scotch I’ve purchased to something similar I already have, I may use multiple glasses at a time. Because of this, glassware is a great gift for a whisky drinker – if it’s the right glass! I recommend the crystal Glencairn glass or a mini Glencairn.

4. Pappy Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup

Anyone who loves bourbon will know Pappy Van Winkle – whether they can get their hands on a bottle is a completely different story! BUT do they know that Pappy uses their bourbon barrels to age maple syrup after they have bottled all of their whiskey? Score some major cred with your whiskey lover this Christmas by gifting them a *Pappy* without breaking the bank!

BONUS: This year, I received a Drinks By The Dram Whisky Holiday Calendar to drink my way to Christmas. Similar to the chocolate holiday countdown calendars from my childhood, this Whisky Holiday Calendar reveals one 1oz whisky sample per day until Christmas.