Thoughtful Gifts for Whiskey Enthusiasts
As a whiskey enthusiast myself, my family and friends often ask me what to buy for others who enjoy whiskey. Most other whiskey gift guides tend to recommend the same items. But the standard recommendations are likely going to end up sitting on a shelf or being thrown away. They just don’t add much value for someone who considers themselves a whiskey enthusiast. Here, I’ll provide you with not only specific recommendations for affordable and thoughtful gifts for whiskey enthusiasts but also some insight on how to choose those thoughtful gifts.
Not Just for “Enthusiasts”
I want to be clear that this guide isn’t just for those who consider themselves to be enthusiasts. This is a great guide for thoughtful whiskey gifts for anyone who enjoys whiskey. Each of my recommendations is intended to enhance the enjoyment of whiskey regardless of their whiskey skill level.
What NOT to Buy for Whiskey Enthusiasts
Let’s start by talking the typical recommendations from online gift-buying lists and why you may want to avoid them. A couple of these are well-intended but just don’t work out in reality. The other just doesn’t really apply for most whiskey enthusiasts.
Why Whiskey Stones Don’t Enhance the Experience
Whiskey stones are certainly a thoughtful gift. While the person you gift this to will appreciate the thought, they almost certainly will not use them. In theory, whiskey stones chill the whiskey in the glass but will not dilute the whiskey as they warm up. But there are a couple of issues with them in reality.
First, they are high maintenance. Whiskey stones are stored in the freezer so that you can grab them when you want them. After you do use them, they need to be rinsed so that they can be put back in the freezer. That means that they need to be completely dry. Now you have two dishes to wash when you have a glass of whiskey on the rocks.
Second, in my experience, they don’t chill the whiskey enough or hold their temperature long enough. Honestly, this alone made them not worth using. Why have the chore of washing a second dish when they don’t even function well as intended?
Lastly and most importantly, a little water can actually enhance a whiskey. Without going too deep into the weeds, a little water can open up different flavors in some whiskeys, which makes a little dilution ideal not problematic. I have an alternative recommendation to whiskey stones. I’ll get to that below.
The Shortcomings of Whiskey Infusion Kits
Whiskey infusion kits come in two different types. One can be a fun experiment. The other leans toward flavored whiskey, which is usually not in the realm of consideration for many whiskey enthusiasts.
Although not in my recommendation list, the one that may actually be a good gift option is a toasted or charred wood spiral that you can place directly in a bottle. The intention behind this is to get a barrel finish in a single bottle, which makes any single bottle off the shelf a unique expression.
The other type of infusion kit typically contains wood chips and botanicals. Infusing a whiskey with botanicals is not technically flavored whiskey; however, most enthusiasts aren’t looking for infused whiskey either. I’ve bought infused whiskey before out of curiosity but it’s not something I’m usually looking for. If you want to go this route, I recommend finding out if that person is interested in infused whiskeys first.
Photo: Amazon
Oak Infusion Spiral
When a Decanter Isn’t the Right Choice
A decanter is actually on my recommendations list below but it may not be useful for everyone. The reality is that most whiskey enthusiasts don’t want to transfer their whiskey into a different unlabeled bottle. When you buy a whiskey, there is certain information on the bottle that a whiskey enthusiast will want to keep. The bottle shows the brand, where it was bottled or distilled, the proof, and if there is any other finish on the whiskey that differentiates it from a standard release.
Long story short, the bottle is came in is usually more important to an enthusiast than a different unmarked one.
What Makes a Whiskey Gift Thoughtful?
Let’s get to the reason you’re here. The bottom line is that a thoughtful gift for a whiskey enthusiast enhances their experience and exploration of whiskey. Whiskey exploration and enjoyment can come in many forms: neat pours, on the rocks, cocktails, nosing and tasting notes, or even blending whiskey. Each of my recommendations below caters all the different ways to enjoy whiskey. And you don’t have to break the bank to be thoughtful.
Top Thoughtful Gifts for Whiskey Enthusiasts Under $50
Ice Molds Are Superior to Whiskey Stones
If they like to enjoy a glass of whiskey on the rocks, avoid the whiskey stones and opt for an ice mold to make on big chunk of ice instead. You have options here. You can go with a couple of sphere molds or large cubes. Both look fancy in a glass and do a great job of chilling the whiskey without diluting it too quickly. Large cubes melt slower than smaller ones. With these, I’ve been able to have two pours with the same chunk of ice.
Large cube molds are perfect for those who like an old fashioned from time to time as well. Again, it melts slow enough to enhance the cocktail but not fast enough to ruin it.
Bonus Tip: Stick with molds similar to the ones I’ve linked above. Molds that split in the middle are harder to fill and keep water in.
Photo: Amazon
Sphere Ice Molds
Photo: Amazon
Large Cube Molds
Glasses That Enhance Enjoyment
You have options here too depending on the person. First and foremost, you can’t really go wrong with Glencairns. They are tulip-shaped glasses that direct the vapors from the whiskey to your nose rather than around your nose. This enhances your ability to pick up nosing notes as well as flavors since so much of what we taste is influenced by what we smell.
There are other versions of the tulip shape that work as well. The key is the tulip shape. If they are specifically bourbon enthusiasts, they may appreciate the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Glass instead.
For those who like whiskey neat or on the rocks but not for nosing, a nice looking rocks glass is a solid choice. The one I’ve linked here includes the sphere ice molds as well. Still for under $50. The rocks glass is common for old fashioneds and other whiskey cocktails too.
Photo: Amazon
Glencairn Glasses
Photo: Amazon
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Glass
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Rocks Glass
When Decanters Are the Right Choice
I already went through when a decanter may not be the right choice but there are times when it might be. If they are someone who values presentation, they may appreciate a nice decanter to serve guests or just themselves. There’s lots of variety here from personalized to simple but elegant. Choose the one that matches their style.
Photo: Amazon
Personalized Decanter
Photo: Amazon
Crystal Whiskey Decanter
An Infinity Bottle Kit
An infinity bottle is one of my favorite ways to enjoy whiskey. If you’d like to learn more about starting an infinity bottle, you can check out my other post, Infinity Bottle: Experiencing Whiskey on a New Level. In it, I discuss what an infinity bottle is and what you need to start one. To assemble an infinity bottle kit as a gift, you’ll need the following:
You get get all of this to assemble a kit for under $50. Although I prefer to use my paper log book, you don’t need it to have an infinity bottle. They can use a spreadsheet or other phone apps to do that. Or not track it at all. In this case though, it does tie the whole gift kit together nicely. If you think they’d like to track the alcohol content of their infinity bottle, I made a second version of the log book for that.
Photo: Amazon
Decanter
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Funnel
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Jigger
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Infinity Bottle Log Book
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Infinity Bottle Log Book: Alcohol Content Calculations Edition
Journals for the Thinkers
For those whiskey enthusiasts who are thinkers, a whiskey-related journal is a thoughtful choice. As with my other recommendations, there are a range of options here as well.
For those focused on nosing and tasting notes, pick up a tasting journal. You’ll want one that contains fields for describing the whiskey, nosing notes, and tasting notes.
I’ve also created some solutions for underserved whiskey personas. For those who like to reflect over a dram, I’ve created the Whiskey Contemplations Journal. This one is intended to be more open for whatever those thoughts or reflections are but leaves reserves fields for noting your whiskey, summarizing it’s tasting or nosing notes, and recording your surroundings to ground yourself in the present.
If you decide to go with an infinity bottle kit or if they already have an infinity bottle, you could add my Infinity Bottle Tasting Journal. This journal is designed to help track the changes that nose and flavor changes that occur between additions to the bottle.
A coffee table book would be a great addition to any whiskey enthusiasts arsenal, especially if they have a home bar or lounge. Here are a few great options to choose from.
Photo: Amazon
Whiskey Contemplations Journal
Photo: Amazon
Infinity Bottle Tasting Journal
Photo: Amazon
Whiskey Tasting Journal
Buy Whiskey in a Thoughtful Way
When in doubt, buy whiskey. No whiskey enthusiast would be upset with a bottle of whiskey even if they already have it. But how do you make it thoughtful?
If you know what their favorite bottle is, you can always buy that. If you want to buy something a little different, try a variation of their favorite bottle. You could buy a single barrel or a store pick. Obviously, these can get expensive but you can still find good whiskey under $50. Ask someone in the liquor store for a recommendation. If you already have a local store that you trust, great! If not, you can go to a place like Total Wine & More or Specs. They are reputable stores with knowledgeable people on staff. If you’re looking for a guide to the different kinds of whiskey, jump to my Ultimate Guide to the Types of Whiskey for Beginners.
Thoughtful Gifts for Whiskey Enthusiasts Enhance the Experience
At the end of the day, a thoughtful whiskey gift doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive. It just needs to show that you understand how the recipient enjoys their whiskey. Whether that’s sipping neat, mixing cocktails, journaling their impressions, or blending their own infinity bottle, the best gifts are the ones that elevate that experience in a personal way.
Skip the gimmicks. Go for gifts that invite exploration, spark conversation, or simply make that next pour a little more enjoyable. The goal isn’t to impress someone with your whiskey knowledge—it’s to support their passion. Do that well, and your gift won’t end up collecting dust on a shelf. It’ll be the reason they raise their glass a little higher.
Good Spirits Deserve Good Company.
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