Whisky-Related Gifts for Christmas
It is time for Nicola and I to get our thinking caps on for suggestions for Christmas whisky-related gifts. We will also give ideas for things to do and look forward to in early 2027.
First up let’s look at gifts.
Up first, it has to be Membership to the “Scotch Malt Whisky Society” (SMWS)
Founded in 1983. Currently the Society has more than 42,000 members worldwide. They have 4 venues in the UK (one in Edinburgh, one in Leith, one in London and the newest venue is in Glasgow) together with numerous partner bars throughout the world.The Society bottles approx 500 casks of Whisky each year. The vast majority of these are single cask, cask strength. Other spirits that the Society bottle include rum, gin, cognac. The Society is also known for bottling Whiskies from many distilleries around the world. Every month you can browse the Outturn Bottling List to review the Society’s latest bottlings and events at each venue.
Membership allows the member to purchase bottles of Whisky and take up to three guests into any of the venues for drams and some fine food. They will also have access to an online magazine, Unfiltered.
You will be able to taste a vast range of single malts, bottled after passing a rigorous tasting panel
Nicola and I have been members for many many years and we have had many fantastic days and nights enjoying very outstanding drams and fine food.
You can join via the advert on this website. You will be able to see all the benefits of joining and some special offers.
SMWS offer tutored tastings on a regular basis at all venues. They also have a presence at many Whisky festivals.
Do not worry if you are a novice Whisky drinker as the experienced staff at the venues will chat to you about your favourite flavours and suggest a society malt for you to sip.
Up next is the best Whisky reference book – Malt Whisky Yearbook, I have received this annual since 2012 and have yet to find a better reference book. Showing details of every Scottish Distillery together with distilleries from around the world. It is full of statistics and stories from guest writers. Priced at £16.95 you will not buy better.
Here are some of the Whisky Boys favourite drams of 2026.
Jim’s Favourites. They would also be a great gift to your friendly Whisky lover.
Torabhaig Taigh – lightly peated, matured bourbon and Madeira casks.
Isle of Jura American Bourbon Cask – a great smooth taste with a delicate nose and a light bodied feel on the palate.
Scapa 10 Year Old – vanilla followed by a citrus burst of lemon and Dundee marmalade.
Kilchoman Loch Gruinart – an Islay single malt specially distilled for Marks & Spencer, very mild sweet peat but a very fine expression from this fine farm distillery.
Caol Ila – I have yet to taste a poor Caol Ila . It is my favourite Whisky. My favourite expressions come from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. If you enjoy Islay Whiskies then any Caol Ila will not disappoint.
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie – a fresh dram, notes of apples and pears together with vanilla.
Now for something different, a terrific blend. Black Bottle Captains Cask – Alchemy Series. This blend is a combination of peated malts and aged grain Whiskies finished in Caribbean rum casks. This has got to be one of the smoothest blends I have tasted and an absolute delight on the palate.
Nicola’s choices of drams
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old – offering a harmonious blend of floral notes, dried fruit, and fresh citrus, complemented by roasted nuts and a subtle touch of sea salt.
Tamdhu Cigar Malt – aromas of ginger biscuits, caramel, creme brulee and sweet sherry fill the nose, complemented by notes of sultanas, raisins, malt loaf, dried apricots, honey-covered nuts and creamy vanilla throughout the palate.
Glen Scotia Victoriana – notes of richly-spiced fruit, vanilla and oak throughout the palate, followed by a gently smoky finish.
So what else can The Whisky Boys recommend gifting? What about Whisky Festivals tickets?
Glasgow Whisky Festival which is probably the largest festival in Scotland. Staged at the fantastic Hampden Park Football Stadium with usually over 70 stands. This festival is always on a Saturday and has two sessions. There is always a shop where you can buy bottles of some of the drams you have tasted.
Fife Whisky Festival and Borderlands Whisky Festival. Both these festivals were founded by Karen Somerville and Justine Hazelhurst. These two festivals are a little smaller than the Glasgow Festival but still two great festivals to visit. Fife festival is held in Cuper and the Borderlands held in Lockerbie,
Let’s not forget the two premium multi-day festivals. The Campbeltown Malts Festival and The Islay Whisky Festival (Feis Ile) Both are usually in May of each year. Nicola and I have been to both festivals on many occasions. So many distillery visits and tours/tastings in such a short time, what a time we both have had.
A Whisky festival ticket as a grand gift to your chosen festival.
There are many other festivals held throughout Scotland, some larger than others, each one is individual and all worth a visit.
Winter & Spring 2027
- 23 January – Scottish National Whisky Festival | SWG3, Glasgow
- 28 April – 3 May – Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival | Speyside
- 24–29 May – Campbeltown Malts Festival | Campbeltown
- 28 May – 6 June – Fèis Ìle | Isle of Islay
Summer & Autumn 2027
- 12 June – Dundee’s Whisky Festival | Verdant Works, Dundee
- 21 August – Linlithgow Whisky Festival | Burgh Halls, Linlithgow
- 9 October – Edinburgh’s Whisky Festival | Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Dates are subject to change. Please check the official festival websites for the latest information.
Please try and support these Whisky festivals.
Now what about some Distillery visits?
I have got started off with the Blackness Bay Distillery together with The Lobster Pot . This distillery is completely different from anything you have ever seen. It is minute, all processes are in one small room. They do tours and tastings and right next door is the The Lobster Pot restaurant (who do wonderful food). This makes a great afternoon tour of the distillery followed by lunch in The Lobster Pot. Check out booth websites to get a feel for this afternoon outing, Including a look at the menu. Remember to book the tour and reserve a table. This will be a great treat or indeed a wonderful gift.
Most distilleries close by to the Whisky Boys have tours and tastings, these include:
Check out their websites for tours, tastings and their opening hours over the festive periods.
I think we can all agree that there is an abundance of great whisky gifts that can be given this year. Over the next couple of weeks, I will post a few more ideas to share.
Slainte
