The 24 Best Gifts for Bourbon Lovers, According to Whiskey Experts

Bounty Hunter Club Monthly

View on Bountyhunterwine.com

Bounty Hunter is amazing when it comes to luxury alcohol subscriptions and clubs. A membership isn’t cheap, although it is highly giftable, and packed with special and rare finds that make the investment worthwhile. Choose from a monthly or quarterly delivery, and your recipient will receive a variety of expert-selected bourbons — as well as rye and other American-made whiskey options. Many of the selections are even private reserves, meaning you’ll only get them through Bounty Hunter.

A heads-up: Before you add your gift message, check to ensure that delivery is available where your gifttee lives. Bounty Hunter graciously notes the states where delivery is or isn’t possible upon checkout.

Nose Your Bourbon Bourbon Nosing Kit

View on Bespokepost.com

To taste bourbon like a professional, you’ll need to first train your palate to pick up the subtle aromas of quality bourbon. A bourbon nosing kit like this exposes the palate to the wood, grain, sweet, spice, and fruit categories commonly found in bourbon. A special gift for serious amateurs, the kit includes 18 small containers of real ingredients all found in quality bourbon. With scents like oak, cherry, mint, and tobacco, this is one of the most effective ways to up your skill level.

Breville The Smoking Gun Pro

Orig. $150 $134 at Amazon $150 at Williams-Sonoma $119 at Walmart

If there is one kitchen gadget that will impress your whiskey-loving friend or family member, it's Breville's The Smoking Gun Pro. In our tests of the best cocktail smokers, we loved this model because of its ergonomic simplicity and high-performance durability. You can easily smoke a big batch of cocktails for a big group dinner party. We also love its versatility and small footprint, which make it highly portable and easy to store.

Flaviar Flaviar Whiskey Subscription

View on Flaviar

How much bourbon is too much bourbon for your whiskey collection? Trick question: the limit does not exist. There’s no shortage of bourbon subscription clubs; we’ve tried just about all of them. Flaviar stands out for its customizable, seemingly infinite selection of whiskies, and affordable monthly membership options.

Choose from two, three, or four quarterly deliveries. Your lucky gift recipient will receive a hand-selected bottle and a tasting box that includes helpful tasting notes and industry secrets needed for maximum enjoyment. This is a truly great gift that combines value with luxury.

Crate & Barrel Decanter

$50 at Crate & Barrel

This gorgeous decanter comes recommended by world-renowned, award-winning bartender Carlos Ruiz. It has a vintage aesthetic and looks extremely expensive, thanks to the pattern that’s designed to replicate the aesthetics of cut crystal — at a fraction of the cost. This decanter holds 32 ounces, which is more than most standard bottles of bourbon.

Crate & Barrel also makes glassware in the Hatch line, so you can add it to your collection with matching cocktail, highball, and rocks glasses. “It looks good on my bar and is dishwasher safe,” says Ruiz, and honestly, we can’t think of a better combination of qualities.

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

View on Amazon $45 at Minibar Delivery View on Totalwine.com

Buying a bottle of bourbon for a whiskey lover or new-to-bourbon fan can be a big risk: How can you be sure they’ll like it? According to Nate Gana, a whiskey expert and worldwide spirits judge, you can’t go wrong with the Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon. This is an annual release, so although the flavors may vary slightly from year to year, you can be sure they’ll enjoy the complex flavors and aromas. Gana particularly enjoys this selection for the maple, brown sugar, and vanilla notes: he says it reminds him of a warm bowl of oatmeal.

Although this isn’t an ultra-rare or pricey find, it is a must-have for building a bar cart. Gana calls it “easily an everyday drinker.”

Glencairn Crystal Whisky Glass

Orig. $30 $25 at Amazon $32 at Target $50 at Wayfair

These glasses are an industry standard among whiskey professionals. “I love the Glencairn because the size of the opening at the top is reasonably small, but the base of the whiskey is breathing in the bottom,” says Alex Thomas, Bushmills Master Blender. These glasses are better for enjoying the subtle flavors in bourbon because wider-rimmed glasses let the scents evaporate before you can pick them all out.

They’re also a favorite of Jörn Kleinhans, Executive Director at The Council of Whiskey Masters. He gifts them in a set of two, explaining, “One can never have enough proper glassware, since side-by-side comparison of bourbon makes a tasting most enjoyable.”

With thin walls ideal for sipping slowly, the Glencairn glass is surprisingly sturdy. Each glass has a six-ounce capacity, ideal for enjoying a serving of bourbon with ample room to let it aerate. If the bourbon lover on your list doesn’t own these yet, it’s time for them to get their own set: it’s the mark of a true connoisseur.

Raaka Raaka Organic Chocolate Library Gift Box

Orig. $56 $53 at Amazon

US-made chocolatier Raaka is known for its meticulous ingredient sourcing and luxurious, unique flavor combinations. And while we’d never judge a book by its cover, we’ll admit the stunning wrappers on these bars are reason enough to pick up a gift set. All of Raaka’s flavors are winners, but the Bourbon Cask Aged is an absolute stunner. Whether you choose a small (three bars) or large (eight) box, the whiskey-infused bar is included. Made with 82% cocoa, this is a deep, dark bar for the connoisseurs.

Anecdote Candles Anecdote Candles Bonfire Blaze

$26 at Amazon View on Anecdotecandles.com

Smell that? Sweater weather is officially upon us with this whiskey- and chestnut-scented candle by luxury candle company Anecdote. The notes in this smoky candle include whiskey, tobacco leaf, and roasted chestnut balanced out by sandalwood, amber, and orange zest. Translation: This candle basically smells like an Old Fashioned cocktail.

The soy wax blend is formulated to burn for 55 hours and is poured into a 7.8-ounce jar that’s pretty enough to call decor. Whiskey fans will want to snap up a few of these seasonal jars before the snow falls.

Stanley Flask and Shot Glass Set

$41 at Amazon View on Nordstromrack.com

We already know Stanley’s crushing the insulated water bottle game. But don’t discount their rugged outdoorsy line of products: this insulated flask and shot glass set is a great mess kit addition for the hiking and camping bourbon drinker. It comes with an 8-ounce hip flask, four 2-ounce metal shot glasses, and a metal carrying case. This upgraded flask comes in two chic colors, Stanley’s classic hammer-toned green or a brushed matte black. Fans of Stanley’s flask note that the opening is petite, and suggest using a funnel to pour in your whiskey without wasting a drop.

Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge Glass

Orig. $25 $20 at Amazon $50 at Walmart View on Corkcicle.com

Why didn’t we think of this? Corkcicle has cracked the code on chilling brown spirits without diluting them. This gift set contains a double old-fashioned-style glass and a clever silicone ice mold. The mold creates a diagonal ramp of ice that bisects your glass in half: the effect is a perfectly chilled drink that doesn’t get watery. Both the mold and the glass are dishwasher-safe.

Luxardo Original Maraschino Cherries

Orig. $22 $20 at Amazon $20 at Williams-Sonoma View on Supermarketitaly.com

Old Fashioneds never go out of style, and luckily, neither do these industry gold standard cherries. They’re prized among bartending professionals for their all-natural syrupy texture and color (no artificial sweeteners or thickeners here). You can find cheaper jars of maraschinos, but in a drink with so few ingredients, it pays to invest in the highest quality. They’re also a luxe gift for non-drinkers. Ask anyone who’s poured a little of the marasca syrup on their ice cream.

The World Atlas of Whisky

Orig. $40 $24 at Amazon $24 at Target $27 at Walmart

There is no shortage of books about bourbon, but Kleinhans says this one, by “the best-known author on whiskey,” is the most giftable. “Receive a full global overview, with amazing pictures and tasting notes,” he says, and he’s not the only industry pro who recommends it. Whiskey Magazine calls it “the perfect go-to reference guide.” With over 200 pictures and almost two dozen distillery-specific maps, you’ll come away with a deeper knowledge of all the major types of whiskey — bourbon included, of course.

Pies 'n' Thighs Bourbon Pecan Pie

View on Goldbelly.com

Ah, the magic of the internet: thanks to expert packaging and lickety-split shipping, you can now have an entire bourbon pecan pie shipped straight to your door. We mean, to your giftee’s door. If we could choose just one flavor from specialty food delivery gurus Goldbelly, it’d be this one. Made by Pies ‘n’ Thighs, an iconic Brooklyn bakery, it’s utterly packed with Texas pecans and a generous pour of bourbon.

It arrives frozen, so all you have to do is thaw it when you’re ready to serve. Naturally, although a strong cup of coffee would be great with this, for the perfect pairing, our vote is for a glass of top-shelf bourbon. Served neat.

Stonewall Kitchen Bourbon Bacon Jam

$14 at Amazon View on Stonewallkitchen.com

If both bourbon and bacon make everything better (or so we’ve heard), then this savory jam is a must-try for whiskey lovers. It’s just sweet enough, thanks to slow-cooked apples and real maple syrup, and rounded out with onions, shallots, real pieces of bacon, and — of course — bourbon. The team at Stonewall Kitchen suggests serving this on a burger, but we also like it as an accompaniment to a charcuterie board. Either way, this unique condiment will become an instant favorite of any whiskey enthusiast.

Quiseen Beverage Chilling Stones

$8 at Amazon View on Quiseen.com

Think whiskey stones are a gimmick? Order these natural soapstone rocks and think again. They’re meant to be stored in the freezer, so you can cool a glass of bourbon (or rye, or whatever) without watering it down. This set comes in a plush velvet carrying pouch, making it not only giftable but also helping to protect the rocks from picking up errant smells and flavors that could negatively impact your sipping experience. We recommend these as a perfect gift for any occasion or holiday, especially for the bourbon lover in your life.

Homestia Cocktail Picks

$13 at Amazon View on Homestia.com

These cocktail picks are very, very fun. Consider it a perfectly giftable option for your friend who doesn’t take themselves (or their bourbon) too seriously. They’re one of the best host or hostess gifts we can think of, owing to their affordable price tag but unique and high-quality designs. Made from 18/8 food-grade steel, these are crafted to last for years. You can choose from a variety of different sets, but our vote is for the classic, which is topped with a bear, elephant, owl, octopus, pineapple, and skull charm. You know, the essentials.

History Company Crystal Whiskey Glass

$64 at Amazon

You can drink good bourbon out of any old cup, but we swear it tastes better in good glassware. When we reviewed Old Fashioned glasses, we were smitten with these vintage-style glasses that were inspired by the famed New York City bar. The quilted cut glass is meant to catch the light for a dazzling aesthetic element to your cocktail hour. They’re approved by industry pros, too.

Says Fitz Bailey, mixologist for Coopers' Craft Bourbon, "Vintage cocktails, modern twists, and neat pours will look stunning in these glasses with a speakeasy vibe.” We like that they’re made from real crystal, and weigh in at a pleasurably heavy pound each.

Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set

$32 at Amazon View on Cocktail Kingdom View on Carbonknifeco.com

Quality cocktail shakers are sneakily hard to find. With expert help, we scoured the internet for the best of the best, and since then we can’t stop thinking about this sleek Amazon find. It’s an industry favorite: Dorys Rodriguez Cordero, a bartender at Palacio Provincial’s Atelier in San Juan, Puerto Rico, likes it for its durability and quality. He notes that it helps him keep up with the high volume of orders at his bar. During our testing, we appreciated the simplicity of its Boston-style shaker design, which makes for easy pouring and cleanup.

Riedel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses

Orig. $45 $31 at Amazon $45 at Wayfair $45 at Walmart

Although lesser-known than the coupe or rocks glasses, a Nick & Nora glass is worth a second look. With its gently curved lip and slightly deeper bowl, this vintage-style glass is ideal for sophisticated cocktails that encompass bourbon and beyond (we love it for a classic martini, too). They’re downright perfect for a Manhattan. And because this set is made by Riedel, you know the quality is top-notch. They come in a set of two, so you should probably expect an invite to your gift recipient’s next happy hour.

Runamok maple syrup

$22 at Amazon

Nobody does maple syrup like Vermont (well, don’t tell Canada that). This iconic New England sweetener is made even better with a hint of bourbon. Because Runamok adds flavor by aging the syrup in empty whiskey barrels, it’s 100% booze-free and family-friendly. We think Runamok produces some of the finest syrup you can buy (their Sugarmaker’s Cut won the title of “Best Overall” in our maple review), and this special 8.45-ounce bottle is one of their most giftable options.

Real Deal Steel Mint Julep Cups

$30 at Amazon

You don’t need a Mint Julep cup until you want a Mint Julep, and then you need one. This set is made from dishwasher-safe stainless steel, and we appreciate that. Unlike many unique cocktail glasses, you don’t have to baby these. The polished exterior has a mirror-like finish for a little extra pizazz and class: just the sort of attitude you want when drinking a Mint Julep, anyway.

Maps International Scratch Off USA Whiskey Distilleries Poster

$16 at Amazon

This 17 x 22-inch map is part-decor, part-educational tool. Printed in full color, it outlines all the major whiskey distilleries in America — with inlays for the highly populated states, like Kentucky. The helpful key indicates what grain each distillery uses (if you’re interested in bourbon, look for corn). There’s a fun interactive component to the map, too: each distillery name is overlaid with a gold coat that you can scratch off once you’ve visited it. Think: scratch-off lottery tickets, with a whole lot more booze.

Riedel Veritas Coupe Glasses, Set of 2

Orig. $89 $80 at Amazon $89 at Wayfair $89 at Walmart

What is it about coupe glasses? This classic profile is classy all the way, with vintage vibes and a versatility that can’t be matched. As we researched the best in this category, bartenders continually praised Riedel, naming it their preferred brand for glassware in every category. This set in particular caught our eye because of the thin, pretty stems. These glasses are almost 7 inches in height, making them an unexpected pick for bourbon-based cocktails, and we like that. Why be the same as everyone else when you and your favorite spirit can truly shine?

Stahala Wooden Coasters

$12 at Amazon

Coasters are a sneakily efficient way of refreshing your home decor, and they just happen to be one of the most giftable whiskey accessories. We recently researched dozens of drink coasters to find 11 stellar options and think this wood and cork set is the best you can get at a very attractive price point. The base has felt grips, so it won’t slip and slide. The cork does an excellent job at absorbing condensation, saving your tabletop from unsightly rings.

As with all accessories, it’s the little touches that make these coasters stand out: the lip is slightly raised, which frames a glass nicely. For $12 and four coasters, you can do no better.