We Found the Best Whiskey Advent Calendars to Pre-Order Ahead of the Holidays (2024)

Our Top Picks

Flaviar creates curated, immersive experiences around whiskey — including tasting boxes and gift subscriptions — so we knew they’d knock an advent calendar out of the park. This year’s theme—which is available for pre-order —is The Lost Art of Distillation and includes two Glencairn tasting glasses, 24 top-shelf whiskey samples, a tasting journal with information about each included whiskey, plus a yearlong base membership to Flaviar.

In other words: That's a full whiskey-tasting adventure for under $300.

• Contains: 24 x 50-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: Early November

Sip something special this Christmas with this curated collection of 24 hand-waxed drams, each of which has been filled to the brim with bourbon and whiskey from both boutique producers and world-renowned distilleries. Options range from rye-rich whiskey from Michter’s to small-batch bourbon from James Cree’s Cattle Ranch Whiskey, all hidden behind perforated doors that can be opened daily for a fun surprise.

If you're looking for the perfect gift for bourbon lovers, we think this selection will seriously wow them this holiday season.

• Contains: 24 x 30-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: Now

If you’ve been dying to snag a seat at a whiskey tasting but have been unsuccessful, let us introduce you to the best thing you’ll buy yourself (or a friend) this year. Really Good Whiskey’s advent calendar is available in three editions — Sapphire, Emerald, and Ruby — each of which pertains to the quality and price of the sips included. But here’s the best part: No matter which you choose, you’re in for a majorly cool experience.

Every day during December, you can scan the QR code on that day’s bottle to get all the need-to-know information about the dram and be walked through a guided tasting by a pro to ensure you’re picking up on all the flavors and nuances that make that pick special. It’s a history lesson and co*cktail hour all in one.

• Contains: 25 x 30-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: November

If you know your recipient loves whiskey but are unsure of their preferred style or origin, this diverse advent calendar from Give Them Beer has the variety you need. It contains a 24-bottle selection of some of the highest-rated whiskeys out there, including top-selling brands like Johnnie Walker, Four Roses, Whistle Pig, Maker’s Mark, and Jameson.

Bonus: Each pick comes in its own branded bottle (like a wax-dipped Maker’s Mark!), so if your pal is a collector, they’ll love displaying this diverse collection prominently on their home bar cart.

• Contains: 24 x 50-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: November

Every whiskey lover knows: You can’t go wrong with a bottle of Jack. If you’re shopping for someone who has a strong appreciation for the classics or an office White Elephant gift where you want to appeal to a broad spectrum of sippers, look no further than this whiskey advent calendar from JD himself.

This 20-day countdown bundles the best of the brand’s flavor profiles (including Tennessee Honey, Old No. 7, Gentleman Jack, and more) alongside four branded shot glasses for a holiday-worthy experience.

• Contains: 20 x 50-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: Now

No chance to get your passport stamped this year? No problem! Consider this whiskey advent calendar your ticket around the world, allowing you to enjoy the best the spirit industry has to offer, all from the comfort of your couch. Packed with 24 sips from around the world, this globetrotting collection will transport you to destinations as far-reaching as Denmark, Australia, and England to sample from award-winning distilleries.

Want to lean into the experience? Pair each day’s reveal with a snack or meal from that destination for a true vacation-worthy escape.

• Contains: 24 x 30-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: Now

Scotch has a distinct and notable peaty flavor, but those who love it really love it. If that sounds like you, we can guarantee you’ll do a little jig over this whiskey advent calendar, designed to be a tour de force for all things Scotch whiskey. The 24 wee bottles included are sourced from Scotland’s finest distilleries (think: Lock Lomond, Macallan, and Glenfiddich) and have been aged to perfection (we’re talking 12-plus years!) to ensure they deliver big, complex flavors. It’s not a Christmas trip to the Scottish countryside — but it’s pretty darn close.

• Contains: 24 x 30-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: Now

Want to seem like the gifter in the know this holiday season? Kickstart their December by opening their world to Japanese whiskey, an ever-growing (and increasingly popular) category we bet they’re dying to experience. This will be their chance to sip some of the world's most high-end and coveted whiskies — all without having to invest in a pricey bottle or expensive two-finger pour at a bar.

Another perk: Japanese whisky tends to have a lower alcohol content than other blends, making these sips a bit mellow and great for mixing whiskey co*cktails in a highball glass.

• Contains: 24 x 30-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: Now

For a splurge-worthy treat for the whiskey-collecting friend in your life, look no further than Drinks by the Dram's Old and Rare Advent Calendar. Each of the 24 drams included in this collectible box is — as its name implies — an old and rare find that will impress even the most knowledgeable whiskey expert or historian.

• Contains: 24 x 30-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: Now

Get in on the holiday fun no matter what your stance on drinking is with this versatile advent calendar from the Woodford Reserve Distillery. It bundles eight of the best artisanal mixers and barrel-aged bitters from the mixology pros at Woodford, for a co*cktail or nonalcoholic drink kit you can have fun with.

The selection includes flavor-packed hits like a Spiced Cherry Old Fashioned co*cktail Mixer and Spiced Apple co*cktail Mixer, so you may even come away having discovered your signature drink for the holiday season.

• Contains: 4 x 60-milliliter bottles of co*cktail mix, 4 x 10-milliliter bottles of bitters
• Shipping: Now

Shopping for someone with major patriotic pride? Snag them this Americana-themed whiskey advent calendar collection from The Spirit Co. for a U.S. road trip they won’t soon forget. It’s filled with a selection of whiskey, bourbon, and rye and features makers both familiar and new, including Whistle Pig, Willet, Yellowstone Select, Kentucky Owl, and more.

Bonus: The box contains a brief 101 lesson on the difference between bourbon and rye, plus two co*cktails you can try if you want to mix things up with a co*cktail shaker (literally).

• Contains: 24 x 30-milliliter drams of whiskey
• Shipping: Now

Prefer a choose-your-own-adventure approach to your holiday advent calendar? Look no further than this charming liquor tree, designed by maker Crafty Tessie on Etsy. It includes 24 circle slots to accommodate the miniature liquor bottles of your choosing, plus a cheeky star on top dubbing the whole thing “My Tipsy Tree.” It’s a great solution if you want to have a hand in curating a whiskey advent calendar to your recipient's tastes — or want an idea you can turn to year after year.

• Contains: 24 slots for bottles, but no liquor
• Shipping: Now