29 Gifts for Whiskey Snobs—Our Editors' Favorite Bottles and Accessories

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God... who really knows what a whiskey drinkers want? Whether the whiskey drinker in question is your dad, mom, husband, wife, or whoever, it's intimidating to buy gifts for them. You're always second guessing yourself. Like, will this glass properly enhance the peaty (smokey) whiskies they obsess over? Should I even try to find that specific bottle of Scotch? I'm I OK with spending $400 on an award-winning bottle of alcohol? Honestly though, it's not that tough. For us, at least. We're whiskey freaks over here at Esquire, and we know exactly what you should be buying them.

For that alcohol-themed gift for the whiskey lover in your life, don't bother investigating their taste preferences. Instead, we'll help you get creative: Some bourbons or ryes or Irish that anyone will love, plus tools like whiskey glasses or decanters that’ll make each sip divine. There may even be a whiskey subscription club that can match their exacting tastes. No matter what you end up settling on, they're going to love it. We've done the hard work (which included a lot of drinking), so all you have to do is Add To Cart and make their year.

Hudson Plaid Decanter

A beautiful decanter to showcase and preserve whatever they happen to be sipping on at the moment.

Traveling Bar Cart

They'll never be without their beloved tools.

Hip Flask

A pewter hip flask is as classic of a gift as you'll find. This one from English Pewter Company—which is from the pewter capital of England, Sheffield—is the best version you'll find now. You get a beautiful leather case and a cap you can't lose. Take it to a jeweler to get it engraved for a special touch.

Old Fashioned Candle

This whiskey-inspired candle smells incredible, but the real magic is that it's poured in a perfectly-sized 8oz. rocks glass. Once the candle is gone, Ranger Station has instructions on how to repurpose it into a whiskey glass.

Old Fashioned

Sometimes, the best gift you can give them is a recipe to replicate. You could take them to Via Carota or Bar Pisellino in New York's West Village, or you can save a few bucks and order some pre-made cocktails from the minds behind those bars. If you're questioning how good a ready-made cocktail can be, the answer is, "Good enough to win an Esquire Spirits Award."

Pinhook Collaboration Series 2

An Esquire Spirit Award winning bottle that'll make them think. It's not an outrageously priced bottle, nor is it difficult to find at a liquor store. If you need something quick, this is a great shout.

Port Finished Bourbon

Angel's Envy brought mainstream attention to finished bourbon. Even though a bunch of distillers are finish liquid in a variety of casks now, there's still something so special about putting bourbon in port casks. The result is perfect for sipping, without being super challenging like the whiskies from across the pond.

Mountain Decanter + 4 Whiskey Glasses

I got my brother this set a while back, and it's one of his prized possessions. If they're any sort of outdoors-person, this decanter and glasses set is the perfect gift.

Bitters Sampler Set

A suite of bitters tasters to get them out of their Angostura comfort zone.

Whiskey Wedge Glass

For anyone picky about their ice-to-whiskey ratio, this wedge-shaped ice mold and double Old Fashioned glass will give them something to think about.

'World Whiskey'

This gorgeous, leather-bound guidebook serves as an encyclopedia to 700 of the most interesting whiskey makers in the world, from Scotland to Japan to Australia.

The Original Glass Flask

There's some evidence that metal flasks can actually change the taste of your spirt. Not sure about the science on that, but what we do know: This shatterproof glass flask with a leather wrap looks a million times better than anything else out there.

Ancient Rocks Prehistoric Whiskey Stones

For those who like their drink... on the rocks. (Sorry!) These ice cube replacements will give them the temperature, without watering down their drink.

Large Silicone Ice Cube Molds

But if you think they like the old fashioned stuff, get them some proper ice molds. This silicone tray makes perfect large cubes, and it's easy to use.

Little Rest American Single Malt Classic Gift Box

Tenmile Distillery is looking towards single malt Scotch for inspiration. Made from barley, like Scotch would be, grown in the Hudson Valley, it's a small-batch, small-run type of operation. The result is some fucking phenomenal whiskey.

12 Year Old

If they're more of a purist, just get them a bottle of real single malt Scotch. There's a bunch of great bottles out there, but Glenglassaugh's 12-year is our favorite always available bottle.

Rambler 10 oz.

For when they want to pour something at the campsite, tailgate, or poolside kickback, a YETI lowball can withstand a beating, and it will keep their drink at the perfect temperature.

Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky

A great Japanese whisky, as rare and sought-after as they've become, isn't exactly easy to track down. So do your giftee a solid and score a bottle of Yamazaki 12, a quintessential Japanese offering that makes a long-lasting impression.

Pocket Whisky Water Dropper

The correct way to drink whisky is with a few drops of water to unlock the fullest flavor. These little pipettes do the perfect job, and the Harris Tweed carry pouches look great on any bar.

Spirits Subscription

Why pick one present? A Flaviar membership introduces them to a digital whiskey-drinking club, with access to bottles and tastings, special whiskey releases, member events, and more.

Rauk Heavy Whiskey Tumbler

Sure, this Norlan glass looks cool as hell. But it's also carefully crafted for drinking chilled whiskey right. A win-win.

Scotch-Infused Chocolate Collection

The essence of Dalmore Scotch whisky is used to flavor these decadent truffles. Two vices, satisfied in one box.

Bourbon Nosing Expansion Pack

But how deep is their love for whiskey? Can they know their Beam from Whistle Pig? Or tell the honey apart from tobacco notes in their go-to bottle? We're not so sure. But this kit will help hone that acute sense of smell, that's for sure.

Cocktail Smoking & Infusion Kit

Tap into their inner mad scientist with this cloche and torche, designed to steep cocktails in smoky flavors. That'll be one hell of an Old Fashioned.

"The Dead Rabbit Mixology & Mayhem"

The Dead Rabbit is a world-renowned bar hiding in downtown Manhattan, with an ethos built on the lore of Irish gangsters and Irish whiskey. Its cocktail recipe book is full of utterly astounding cocktails, as well as a nefarious tale of blood and revenge (and drinking) told in graphic novel form. You have to read it to believe it.

"The Whisky Dictionary"

Cask strength, floor malting, tannins...even the most whiskey-literate person you know would be forgiven for getting tripped up on the distillers lingo. This guidebook will give them a refresher on all terms that matter in whiskey-making.

1884 Small Batch Whiskey

Uncle Nearest is a newer distillery, but it digs deep into American history—all the way to the formerly enslaved Black man who taught Jack Daniel how to distill, Nearest Green himself. This bottle will give your giftee a real appreciation for Tennessee whiskey, as well as new insight into the spirit's backstory.

Rocket Whiskey Decanter

$225 Neiman Marcus $225 at wayfair

Serve whiskey from something rad and retro, like this 24K-gold-and-porcelain decanter. A nice way to replace a half-empty bottle of booze.

Whiskey Soaps Set

Because it'd be frowned upon to bathe in straight whiskey.

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