Buying whisky as a present, be it Scotch or American or otherwise, can be a minefield, even for the most experienced whisky drinker. Whisky is a popular choice as a gift, particularly at key celebratory times such as Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or a landmark birthday. But what are the things you need to think about, how much should you spend and where should you look?
Key Considerations
It is a common misconception that you must know about whisky to buy a good one as a gift. How much you know (or think you know) about whisky is irrelevant. The main consideration is which style of whisky the recipient of the present will like or prefer. Light and delicate, rich and sweet, a little savoury or peaty and smoky? If you are not sure, then think of other foods and drinks they enjoy. This will give you clues.
Also consider whether you want to purchase a well-known popular brand or something more obscure. The world of whisky is full of products that cater for all tastes, so you will find something whichever direction you head in. Only you can decide this – a well selected little-known brand may gain you extra points with the recipient and show that you have done some research.
Your Budget
It is important to think about how much you want to spend on the gift. Blended whiskies can start from as little as £10 for a supermarket own label. Single malts are more expensive but kick off around the £25 mark. Set an upper limit and stick to it. But watch out – any decent salesman will try to get you to spend more when in their shop.
Whiskies tend to be marketed to sit in certain price points. Most will be around or under £50. This extends upwards into the hundreds or thousands of pounds. You can spend as little or as much as you want. If your budget is small, you can always consider a gift pack of miniatures or a smaller bottle. Many companies release such packs or half bottles, especially around key gifting times like Father’s Day and Christmas.
Where to Buy?
There are several options for purchasing your whisky gift. Each have their pros and cons. A specialist whisky retailer will offer the best and deepest range and have the most knowledgeable staff to assist you. They will also have bottles open to sample and aid your choice. But they can be daunting places to walk in to and sometimes more expensive than elsewhere.
Many supermarkets have expanded their whisky selections greatly in recent years and larger ones now offer plenty of choice. However, they carry nowhere near the quantity of a specialist retailer, but prices are more competitive. Also, many supermarkets have lost their specialist wine and spirits staff due to cost-cutting measures, especially since the Covid pandemic, so finding someone to help can be a challenge.
Your local wine shop, liquor store or off-license is another good outlet. Like supermarkets, the staff may not be as clued up as those in a specialist retailer. But you can pick up some real bargains, especially if you have done a little research and know what to look for. From experience, the owner may have picked up a bottle from their wholesaler and not be aware of what they have and price it lower than it should be.
Another option is the internet. This is easy and you can order the whisky from wherever you are, and with minimal effort. There are more online whisky and spirits retailers than ever, which offer a wide selection of products. Most will have some aids to help you make an informed choice, but the personal touch of visiting a store is missing. Also, remember that most will add postage and packing to the price, which will increase your budget.
What to Choose?
Once you have navigated your way through what type of whisky to buy, your budget and where to get it from, the final choice is which exact whisky will be the correct choice for the gift. There are thousands of whiskies on the market, so the right one for you and your recipient is out there. This is where you circle back to what the person you are purchasing for will like – light and delicate, rich and fruity, or smoky and peaty? But do not get too hung up on whether it is the right or wrong choice – the recipient of the gift should appreciate whatever you buy them.
