14 best whiskies to buy as gifts 2024

Key to remember is that you have Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey – outside of these two nations, bottlers can decide themselves whether they're keeping or dropping the 'e'. Learn more in our article on Whiskey or whisky, what's the difference?

Whisky is, more often than not, best enjoyed neat. But it's a matter of preference; sometimes you need a neat Islay dram after a long day, sometimes you want to enjoy a long drink of Irish malt over ice. We've pointed out the whiskies best enjoyed with a little something extra.

Here are our picks of the best whiskies to order online for that special someone in your life. For more, visit our reviews section and find over 400 practical buyer's guides including taste tests of the best gin, vodka, rum, brandy and more, plus gift guides like the best letterbox gifts to order online or the best cocktail gifts.

Best whiskies to buy as gifts at a glance

• Best Welsh whisky: Penderyn Portwood, £58
• Best Danish whisky: Stauning HØST, £41.96
• Best Taiwanese whisky: Kavalan Sherry Oak, £94.50
• Best Indian whisky: Amrut Fusion, £52.94
• Best for the whisky buff: Nikka Yoichi single malt, £75.43
• Best for sherry sweetness: Balvenie DoubleWood 12, £51.95
• Best for fans of smoky whisky: Lagavulin 16-year-old, £79.94
• Best for fans of classic flavours: The Macallan 12-year-old, £95.94
• Best for English whisky lovers: Bourbon Cask Cotswolds Distillery, £75
• Best for trying something new: Daddy Rack Tennessee whiskey, £42.11
• Best for Irish whiskey enthusiasts: Green Spot single pot still, £45.94
• Best for smooth, fruity whiskey fans: Teeling single malt, £51.95
• Best for American whiskey explorers: Maker's Mark 46 bourbon whiskey, £39.94
• Best for environmentally conscious whisky fans: Old Pulteney 15-year-old, £76.50

Best whiskies to buy as gifts 2024

Penderyn Portwood – 46% ABV

• Available from Amazon (£58), Master of Malt (£57.90), The Whisky Exchange (£58.95)

Best Welsh whisky

The idea for Penderyn – the first Welsh whisky distillery in over a century – was born, as many great ideas are, during a late night in a pub. Established at the foot of the Brecon Beacons by a group of likely lads and steered for a time by legendary master distiller Dr Jim Swan, Penderyn consistently produces award-winning whisky. The Portwood is matured in ruby port barrels and is a deep stew of berries and summer fruits – these first appear on the nose with a dusting of cocoa before the fruits take centre stage on the palate, with baking spices supporting.

Available from:

• Amazon (£58)
• Master of Malt (£57.90)
• The Whisky Exchange (£58.95)

Stauning HØST – 40.5% ABV

• Available from Master of Malt (£41.96), The Whisky Exchange (£43.50)

Best Danish whisky

Scandinavian spirits are a delight to explore. Bursting with character, you'll often find that most spirits from northern Europe share an ingredient: rye. It's plentiful in Denmark, so it makes sense that this storming Stauning spirit is named HØST, translating to ‘harvest’ in English, as a celebration of the rye and barley cultivation that surrounds the distillery. The nose is invitingly sweet and creamy, marrying vanilla and beeswax with lemon zest. The flora and fauna of the fields that inspired the bottle burst through the palate: orchard fruits and berries are at the fore, preceding a cinnamon spice finish.

Available from:

• Master of Malt (£41.96)
• The Whisky Exchange (£43.50)

Kavalan Sherry Oak – 46% ABV

• Available from Amazon (£94.50), House of Malt (£103.90), Master of Malt (£103.99), The Whisky Exchange (£104)

Best Taiwanese whisky

Since its establishment in 2005, Kavalan has earned a reputation for excellence, with its Solist releases in particular enjoying widespread acclaim. Nestled in the lush landscapes of Yilan County, the distillery benefits from the pure spring water from Snow Mountain, as well as the Central Mountains. The subtropical climate also accelerates the maturation process, adding tremendous depth of character in a short space of time. Kavalan Sherry Oak is matured in handpicked Spanish sherry casks, and this is evident on the nose, with dried fruits and baking spices flooding in. The spices follow through to the palate, and are joined by plum and blackberry.

Available from:

• Amazon (£94.50)
• House of Malt (£103.90)
• Master of Malt (£103.99)
• The Whisky Exchange (£104)

Amrut Fusion – 50% ABV

• Available from Master of Malt (£52.94), The Whisky Exchange (£52.95)

Best Indian whisky

Based in Bangalore and founded in 1948 by Shri J.N. Radhakrishna, Amrut is another distillery that is pioneering whisky in its country. Amrut Fusion is a blend of 75 per cent Indian barley and 25 per cent peated Scottish barley, which results in a spirit that is both sweet and slick, spicy and smoky – it's a difficult line to walk, but it's one this bottle does magnificently. Barley is at the fore on the nose, with spices and juicy fruits ahead of a whisper of peat. The peat muscles into the crowd on the palate, along with dark chocolate and fruity notes.

Available from:

• Master of Malt (£55.45)
• The Whisky Exchange (£52.95)

Nikka Yoichi single malt – 45% ABV

• Available from Amazon (£65.24), Master of Malt (£75.43), The Whisky Exchange (£76.95)

Best for the whisky buff

Nikka are one half of an indomitable pair of distilleries in Japan that have been at the peak of the Far East whisky market for decades. The Yoichi single malt is Nikka's greatest success; the bottle leans into Nikka's Scottish inspiration without being contrived, while bursting with their uniquely Japanese flavour profile. On the nose it's delicately balanced, matching peat and tropical fruit, and a complex palate follows the same formula with added nuts. Ideal for a young whisky buff.

Read our full review of Nikka Yoichi single malt.

Balvenie DoubleWood – 40% ABV

• Available from Sainsbury's (£47), The Whisky Exchange (£52.95), The Bottle Club (£51.99)

Best for sherry sweetness

Take a trip to Speyside with this opulent, flavourful addition from Balvenie. Expect rich milk chocolate on the palate, with fresh raspberry, warming cinnamon and a hint of spicy black pepper to finish. Every true whisky connoisseur could do with a bottle of this special single malt on their shelves.

Lagavulin 16-year-old – 43% ABV

• Available from Amazon (£79.80), The Whisky Exchange (£69.95), Waitrose Cellar (£80)

Best for fans of smoky whisky

Lagavulin's 16-year-old expression is a titan of the industry. One of the world's most popular single malts, this whisky is a go-to at local pubs and enjoyed by the rich and famous. Definitive of the Islay region, imposing smoky notes are tempered by a rich sweetness. For the whisky geek in your life.

Read our full review of Lagavulin 16-year-old.

Available from:
Amazon (£79.80)
The Whisky Exchange (£69.95)
Waitrose Cellar (£80)

The Macallan 12-year-old Triple Cask – 40% ABV

Best for fans of classic flavours

A sumptuous blend of creamy vanilla and dark berries with just the right amount of kick provided by pepper and spices. This 12-year-old dram is testament to the stature The Macallan holds in the whisky world – it is delicate, sophisticated and oozes class. Perfect for the swanky whisky drinker in your world.

Read our full review of The Macallan 12-year-old Triple Cask

Cotswolds Distillery bourbon cask single malt whisky – 59% ABV

Best for English whisky lovers

This rich, smooth single malt matured in bourbon casks has plenty of characteristic vanilla flavours, sweet honey notes and candied fruit. It’s a punchy cask-strength expression made for slow sipping. Although the Cotswolds Distillery is relatively new to scene, having been established in 2014, it’s producing some exciting drams. The ideal gift for any whisky lover looking to expand their English whisky collection.

Green Spot single pot still – 40% ABV

Best for Irish whiskey enthusiasts

Once upon a time this whiskey was exclusively sold in Mitchell's grocers in Dublin. The bottle is now much adored throughout the world and in 2018 was awarded 'liquid gold' status by Jim Murray in his respected whisky bible. This whiskey is a supremely sippable, stubbornly Irish celebration of caramel and fruit. Give this one to any newbies or theatre geeks, any stage enthusiasts are sure to be bowled over by the company this whiskey keeps.

Read our full review of Green Spot single pot still.

Teeling single malt – 46% ABV

Available from The Whisky Exchange (£42.25)

Best for smooth, fruity whiskey fans

A modern Irish whiskey that oozes the smoothness and warmth associated with the Emerald Isle's heritage drams. This Dublin-made tipple caresses the tongue with summer fruits, warm spices and pepper. A drinking experience that will keep your friends around long after dinner has been served. Best presented to any Irish whiskey heads you know.

Read our full review of Teeling single malt.

Available from:

• The Whisky Exchange (£42.25)

Maker’s Mark 46 bourbon whiskey – 47% ABV

• Available from Master of Malt (£39.99), Amazon (£39.95)

Best for American whiskey explorers

Whiskey aficionado Jim Murray awarded this bourbon his 'liquid gold' award in 2014. This spiced bourbon was the first addition to the Maker’s Mark range since the 1950s. The whiskey pitches a bag of spices against the sweet funfair notes typically found in bourbon. Nutmeg takes over from toffee apple with the subtlety of an earthquake but it is a pleasant seismic shift. The ideal gift for lovers of American whiskey.

Read our full review of Maker's Mark 46 bourbon whiskey.

Old Pulteney 15-year-old – 46%

• Available from The Whisky Exchange (£76.50)

Best for environmentally conscious whisky fans

A scotch that packs in spice and sea spray. Pulteney is an environmentally conscious distillery based in the Scottish coastal town of Wick. Its whiskies are unmistakably born at sea; they burst with salty sea air and the bracing freshness that comes as a result.

Its 15-year-old expression is no exception; salinity is balanced with delicate vanilla and warming spices, matched by sweet toffee and light floral flavours. A whisky bursting with character and flavour. Buy this bottle for the whisky drinking eco-warrior in your circle.

Available from:

• The Whisky Exchange (£76.50)

Other whiskies to buy as gifts – tried and tested

• The Sexton single malt, £23.99
• Jack Daniel’s single barrel select, £43.95

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This review was last updated in November 2024. If you have any questions or suggestions for future reviews, or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. For information on alcohol guidelines, read our guide to drinking responsibly.