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Buying for a whiskey drinker is harder than it looks. He already has a favorite bottle, and he probably has opinions about yours. The trick is to skip the novelty barware and give him things that make the pour itself better: the right glass, cold that doesn’t water it down, and a few good excuses to open something with friends.
Drink it properly
Glencairn whisky glasses
The tulip shape gathers the aroma toward the nose, which is the whole point of a nosing glass. A pair in a gift box is the safest whiskey gift there is, and he will use them weekly.
See the Glencairn 2-pack on AmazonHeavy-bottomed rocks glasses
For the guy who takes it over ice, weight matters. Look for a thick base and a wide mouth so a large cube fits without crowding.
Browse rocks glasses on AmazonClear ice sphere and cube molds
Big, clear ice melts slowly, so the third sip tastes like the first. Directional-freezing molds make bar-quality clear ice in a home freezer.
Browse clear ice molds on AmazonA whiskey water dropper
A few drops of water can open up a cask-strength pour. A small glass dropper bottle lets him add it one drop at a time instead of guessing with a splash.
Browse whiskey droppers on AmazonFor the home bar
A crystal or glass decanter
A decanter won’t improve the whiskey, but it makes the bar cart look finished and turns a bottle into something worth setting out when friends come over.
Browse decanters on AmazonCocktail smoker kit
A small torch-top smoker with wood chips adds a layer of smoke to an Old Fashioned. It is a bit of theater, and that is exactly why guests ask for a second round.
Browse smoker kits on AmazonOld Fashioned bitters set
A sampler of aromatic, orange and specialty bitters lets him tune his cocktail without buying full bottles of each. Small, cheap and always used.
Browse bitters sets on AmazonA leather-wrapped hip flask
Stainless steel inside, leather or wood outside, and a cap that stays attached. Good for tailgates, cabins and the occasional long wedding.
Browse flasks on AmazonFor the student of whiskey
The World Atlas of Whisky by Dave Broom
Distillery by distillery, region by region, with tasting notes that help him decide what to try next. A book he will keep on the bar, not the shelf.
See it on AmazonA whiskey tasting journal
Space for nose, palate, finish and price paid. After a year he’ll know exactly what he likes and why, and his next bottle choice gets easier.
Browse tasting journals on AmazonA tasting flight board
A flight board with small glasses lets him pour several bourbons or Scotches side by side. The easiest way to host a tasting night.
Browse flight boards on AmazonFor whiskey and cards night
Whiskey and a card game go together. A good deck on the table is a small thing that gets noticed.
Gents of Fortune Playing Cards – Black Flag Edition
History’s most notorious pirates, hand-drawn by Guzo, in a dark deck made for a table with a bottle on it. An easy add-on to any whiskey gift.
See the deck
Day of the Dead Playing Cards – Gold, Silver & Black
Gold and silver foil on black. It looks right next to a tequila or mezcal bottle as well as bourbon.
See the deck
Mythical Creatures Playing Cards – Black, Silver & Gold
Dragons, griffins and krakens in metallic ink. A conversation piece between hands.
Check price on AmazonHosting the game too? See our poker night gift guide, or browse the full Gent Supply Co. deck collection.
Still stuck? Try our guide to gifts for men who have everything.