The 28 best gifts for whiskey lovers in 2024
Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, CNN and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Learn more
There are a ton of great gifts out there for whiskey lovers, but it can be hard to know what to buy when you’re not a fan of the spirit yourself. Giving someone who loves a wee dram a fancy new bottle, a gorgeous set of glasses or a cocktail smoker is bound to put a smile on their face.
From fancy double-walled glassware to clear ice molds to a Dior decanter, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gifts to give whisky and whiskey lovers. (P.S. The difference between whiskey and whisky is where it comes from: The Scots, Canadians and Japanese tend to take out the E; the Irish and Americans leave it in.)
Schott Zwiesel Distil Arran Old-Fashioned Glasses, Set of 6
This set of six whiskey glasses is a classic — hello, cut crystal! Plus there are enough in this half-dozen set to give your dinner guests a nightcap.
Hotel Starlino Maraschino Cherries
Should the whiskey lover in your life be a fan of cocktails, Hotel Starlino maraschino cherries are the perfect garnish. These aren’t your usual maraschino cherries: They’re made in Naples by a four-generation, family-owned business that started back in 1911.
Uncommon Goods Jonboy Caramels Boozy Caramels, Set of 3
Whiskey and caramels go together like wine and chocolate, so if the person you’re shopping for has a sweet tooth, a trio of these boozy caramels — which include a whiskey flavor and an absinthe one too — will be a much-loved gift.
Bittermilk Mixers Bourbon-Barrel-Aged Old-Fashioned
This cocktail mixer is right at the $20 price point but feels super indulgent. And while a lot of premixed cocktails leave a little to be desired, this hits the taste buds just right. The brand recommends pairing it with rye in a ratio of four parts liquor to one part mixer.
Motor City Barrels Smoked Cocktail Gift Set
For those who are very serious about their mixology, this smoked cocktail gift set gives them everything they need to add a smoky flavor to their Scotch and more. It includes a mini torch, two rocks glasses and a wooden platform — made from whiskey-barrel wood, of course — to rest the glass on as the magic happens.
Flaviar Whiskey Subscription
Perfect for whiskey lovers who enjoy trying new bottles, this gift subscription expands horizons with a full bottle plus a tasting box with three vials of whiskey each quarter.
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small-Batch Whiskey
This award-winning whiskey (over 1,000 times!) is a family affair that goes all the way back to when former slave Nearest Green taught Jack Daniels how to distill. Good taste still runs in the family: A fifth-generation descendant, Victoria Eady Butler, oversees the batches and is a four-time Master Blender of the Year winner.
‘Everything You Need to Know About Whisky (But Are Too Afraid to Ask)’ by Nick Morgan
If your whiskey lover is just getting started on their “journey,” gift them this handy book. Written by an expert, it goes into detail about how the drink is made, great bottles and tips on what (and how) to drink it.
Norlan Rauk Heavy Tumbler
At $50 a pop, these modern tumblers aren’t the cheapest, but serious whiskey drinkers know that Norlan’s glasses are optimal, thanks to the double-wall construction that amplifies the coloring of the beverage and makes it a great vessel for a bit of ice.
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
If you’re short on time, you can order a bottle of Woodford Reserve for pickup or delivery and your recipient will be pleased as (whiskey) punch.
Dior Whisky Decanter
Did you know Dior makes decanters? Now you do. Give the designer-loving, top-shelf-whiskey-drinking special someone a made-in-France, 100% crystal decanter to pour their fine spirits from.
Rocks Whiskey Chilling Stones
Ice in whiskey? A true connoisseur would say never. Instead, these chilling rocks get whiskey cool without diluting a single drop. This set is great for entertaining since each stone is a different color (all the easier to keep track of your glass when a few are on the table).
Threshold Whiskey and Oak Wooden Wick Candle
It’s very difficult to find a whiskey-related candle that isn’t needlessly gendered, but this gorgeous one from Target’s Threshold line smells as good as it looks.
Sea Stones Cool Coasters
These coasters are a great alternative to whiskey stones — and they let the glass chill when it needs it most (when they’re not sipping from it).
Nikka Whisky From the Barrel
Nikka is one of Japan’s most important whisky producers, and its signature From the Barrel blend marries single malt and grain whiskies into one beautiful pour. (It took home the gold from the 2020 World Whiskies Awards too.)
Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Stackable Lowball 2.0
This Rambler is perfect for whiskey around the campfire, thanks to its durable build and double-walled insulation. The MagSlider lid keeps contents from sloshing (or errant insects and debris from contaminating your Scotch).
Williams Sonoma Encore Ultimate Set in Matte Black
This frankly sexy set of barware is a statement piece to show off just how good they are at making cocktails — and the perfect timeless antidote to the usual various shades of metal. If you don’t need a full setup — or can’t splash that much cash — this $40 Williams Sonoma x Sheila Bridges Harlem Toile Mixing Glass is a downright gorgeous addition to any mixology setup.
Slane Irish Whiskey
For a taste of Ireland, this triple-casked whiskey is incredible value for the money. It’s wonderful enough to sip, but it’s also a great pick for using in cocktails.
Alessi The Tending Box GIA28 Quadri Combo Jigger
This handy jigger is great for making a solo cocktail — or a batch for a group, thanks to its four different sizes.
Uncommon Goods Do Your Whisky Whiskey-Making Kit
Turn vodka into whiskey (yes, really) through the alchemy of this whiskey-making kit. Your lucky recipient will use the included book as a guide to add wood chips (flavor and color), plus different botanicals to kick things up a notch. It comes with glass bottles to let the spirit rest for three to four weeks, then you can pour it out over the included whiskey stones.
‘World Whiskey’ Limited-Edition Book
Whiskey and fine leatherbound volumes go hand-in-hand, and while it’s been a while since a book has cost this much, the look, feel and information in this encyclopedia are well worth it if you’re gifting to a whiskey aficionado — who will still undoubtedly find many things to learn in its pages.
Macallan 18-Year Sherry Oak Whisky
Receiving a bottle of this incredibly famous (for good reason) Scotch is a big deal, so if you’re serious about this someone, and they’re serious about their whisky, this is a go-to gift that’s sure to be a favorite.
Stanley Classic Easy-Fill Wide-Mouth 8-Ounce Flask
Whiskey and flasks go hand in hand — especially on cold days. This one from Stanley has a built-in cap and a wide-mouth sipper. Plus, it comes in a ton of colors, including an on-trend terracotta-like Cinnamon.
‘Whiskey Cocktails: A Curated Collection of Over 100 Recipes’ by Taylor Bentley
If your lucky recipient is more of a mixologist than a straight sipper, this book of 100 cocktail recipes involving Scotch, whiskey and bourbon will give them inspiration for many evenings and gatherings to come.
Glencairn The Glencairn Whisky Glass, Set of 4
If you go to a whiskey tasting or a fancy whiskey bar, these are the glasses you’ll likely find. The tulip shape helps the nose of the whiskey funnel up to your, well, nose, letting you (or the lucky recipient) taste the spirit and its complexity fully.
True Cubes Crystal-Clear Ice Cube Maker
This ice cube maker takes a whiskey cocktail to the next level with the production of super-clear ice.
Suntory Yamazaki 12-Year Single-Malt Japanese Whisky
If you’re after a splurge, this gorgeous bottle of Yamazaki whisky will undoubtedly get pride of place on your lucky recipient’s bar cart. It has a reputation as Japan’s best single malt, so should your whiskey lover tend to turn toward Irish and Scottish classics as go-tos, this is a guaranteed delicious way to switch up their taste profile.
West Elm Albee Bar Cart
This compact bar cart is the perfect size for small apartments inhabited by whiskey-loving people. The glass and mirror glass is the perfect combination of polish and style for small bottle and bitters collections, plus some key barware and glasses.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
