Black Friday is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to whip up a consumerist frenzy. It also means it’s time to start counting down to the holidays (if you haven’t already). Of course, nothing helps kick off the short winter days like a little mini bottle of booze to enjoy after work, and luckily there are some whiskey (and other spirits) advent calendars to help you out.
Vermont distillery Whistle Pig has released a new Advent calendar called, in signature groan-inducing fashion, the Hijda Advent Calendar. It includes 12 50ml bottles of some of Setty Pig’s signature whiskeys, including expressions of age on bourbon, rye, and even some wheat whiskeys, some of which were distilled or contracted at partner distilleries in Indiana and Canada and some of which were produced in Vermont. You can buy this calendar directly from the Whistlepig website (SRP $125 – it seems to be sold out now, but hopefully back in stock soon).
One of the OGs of the boozy advent calendar world is back with something new this year. Spirits website Flavier is releasing, for the first time, an agave spirit version called La Rota del Agave. This 12-night calendar (Dec. 25 to Jan. 6, meant to be enjoyed after Christmas) includes 1.7-ounce glasses of tequila and mezcal to sample, including some of the most well-known brands like Codgo 1530, Magenta, Del Magiwe, and even a Risella from Balmaro. The calendar comes with a Glencairn tasting glass, a map and content center with tasting notes, and a one-year subscription to Flavier Black. You can buy one now on the Flavoir website (SRP $125).
Flower is also releasing Flower, its annual classic whiskey advent calendar leading up to Christmas featuring 24 50ml spirits sourced from around the world from the likes of Bhakta Spirits, Free Ranch, Loch Lomond, and Mary Dowling. Also, for the first time the calendar will include a very, very special, martingale rare reserve cacaoque that is at the 24-day point. Order now (SRP $270) from the Flowair website.
Continuing the Mexican theme, Bozal Mezcal has a super-priced advent calendar this year that includes 24 200ml bottles of mezcal made from different varieties of agave, which will cost you $1000 in total. If you’re a die-hard mezcal fan willing to shell out the big bucks, you’ll find samples of a blend with Tubala, Jabali, Cenezo, and even a blend with Jamón Iberico. The calendar comes with copitas (mezcal drinking cups) and tea lights meant to illuminate the last day. You can find out more and watch short videos to guide you through each mezcal here, and it’s available to buy here.
The World Whiskey Society, a non-distilling producer that has released some interesting expressions over the past few years, has its own version of an Advent calendar. More specifically, it’s a set of 12 50ml ornaments, each filled with the brand’s signature bourbon that you can hang on the tree or give to friends (SRP $70 – order here).
And if you’re really looking to splurge, Malt Master (who ships to the US) has a great option. This is the most eye-catching advent calendar of the bunch, housed in a wooden box that looks like a section of a tree that has been cut down. This set of 30 ml bottles includes some truly rare whiskeys, such as Balvini 40, Highland Park 40, Port Allen 32, Macallan No. 6, and Kruzawa 32. You can buy this collection for around $11,000.
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