Best Scotch
to Gift 2024
Best Scotch to Gift 2024
Top 12 Good Scotch Picks to Gift: This Holiday’s Must-Have Bottles
Written by Allison K. | Updated November 2024
Scotch Whiskies have always been a hit during the holidays, thanks to their rich flavors, intriguing taste, and fascinating history. As more people look for unique experiences, the interest in finding a good scotch for a gift is on the rise.
Whether it's for a holiday gathering or a special celebration, scotch whisky makes every moment unforgettable. Taster’s Club Bottle Shop offers standout bottles with unique charm. As you scroll below, you'll find our most popular scotches this Christmas that make great gifts and add a special touch to any celebration!
What Makes Scotch Whisky a Great Gift?
Scotch whisky is a fantastic gift because it blends tradition, skill, and great taste. Each bottle tells its own story, from the grains chosen to the oak barrel aging, creating unique flavors and aromas. It's more than just a drink—it's an experience to share.
As you get to know scotch whisky, gifting it becomes a classy gesture that shows you've chosen something special for the recipient. Whether it's a smoky Islay or a smooth Highland, there's a scotch for everyone, adding a special touch to any celebration. Each sip reflects your warmth and generosity, making it a memorable gift.
4 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Scotch as a Gift
Knowing what the recipient likes is key to making your gift stand out. Picking flavors that match their tastes makes the experience personal and memorable. A well-known brand can add an extra special touch, whether it's a bold single malt or a smooth blend. The thrill of opening the box and tasting the scotch creates a meaningful moment. Things to think about include:
Flavor Profiles
As mentioned above, scotch offers a wide range of flavors—smoky, peaty, or fruity—depending on the scotch whisky regions it comes from. These tastes create a sensory adventure. You might find smoky notes in a Lagavulin from Islay or fruity hints in a Glenmorangie from the Highlands. Each sip is a journey through the unique places and traditions that shape these flavors.
Alcohol Content
Alcohol content is a big part of what makes a good scotch gift special. Different scotches have different ABVs, so picking the right one matters. Higher ABVs give stronger flavors, which are great for those who love bold tastes, while lower ABVs offer a smoother, lighter experience, perfect for enjoying subtle flavors.
Age Statements and Their Significance
Age statements on a scotch bottle tell you how long the spirit has matured in oak casks. They are valued for their tradition and craftsmanship. Choosing a scotch with an age statement means you're giving more than just a drink—you're sharing a piece of history.
Brand Reputation
Some scotch whisky brands carry more prestige and reputation than others. Gifting a well-regarded brand can demonstrate your thoughtfulness and understanding of quality. At Taster's Club, we pick brands known for producing top-notch scotch whisky, featuring only the best names and their popular bottles.
Our 12 Best Scotch Picks to Consider for a Gift
Choosing a good scotch for a gift is a mix of style and instinct. Check out Taster's Club's top 12 scotches to gift this Christmas season:
Dalwhinnie 15 Year: Smooth and Elegant
Dalwhinnie 15 Year is a great scotch for gifting. It has mild, honeyed flavors from the Highlands with hints of heather and fruit. It's smooth and sweet, with a touch of vanilla for warmth. Each sip offers a nice floral and malty balance, perfect for those who enjoy a rich aroma. Giving Dalwhinnie adds a touch of elegance to any occasion.
Glenmorangie The Lasanta: Rich and Spicy
Glenmorangie The Lasanta is a rich and complex scotch, ideal for those who love a touch of luxury. It has a warm, spiced aroma from sherry casks, with spiced nuts, cinnamon, and honeyed raisin flavors. Each sip is a full-bodied adventure with a warm, lingering finish. It's a great gift for both scotch fans and newcomers.
Craigellachie 13 Year: Bold and Distinctive
Craigellachie 13 Year is a bold scotch for those who love strong, complex flavors. It has a thick feel and offers tastes of charred pineapple, spicy peppercorn, and a smoky finish. Its unique character makes it a great gift, perfect for anyone who enjoys a daring drink.
Aberlour 12 Year: Sherry-Infused Delight
Aberlour 12 Year is a sherry-infused scotch with a rich, sophisticated taste. It blends fruit and spice beautifully, offering dried fruit, warm vanilla, and toasty oak flavors. Its silky texture and earthy aroma make it a great gift for any whisky enthusiast.
Lagavulin 16 Year: Smoky Sophistication
Lagavulin 16 Year is a bold scotch with deep, smoky, peaty flavors and hints of fig and vanilla. Aged for sixteen years, it offers a complex taste and pairs well with strong cheeses or smoked meats. Its iconic bottle and rich character make it a sophisticated gift for any occasion.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan: Intense and Peaty
Ardbeg Corryvreckan is a bold scotch with strong peat and rich flavors. It features deep notes of pepper and espresso, with hints of tar and aniseed, all wrapped in a smoky mist. Perfect for those who love daring tastes, gifting it shows you appreciate bold flavors and makes a lasting impression.
Laphroaig 10 Year: Powerful and Peaty
Laphroaig 10 Year is a bold scotch with a strong, peaty aroma and intense flavors. It has hints of seaweed and a dry finish, offering a taste that takes you to the shores of Islay. Perfect for those who love peat-smoked spirits, gifting it shows you appreciate unique flavors, making it a memorable choice for any scotch fan.
Cao Ila 12 Year: Balanced and Complex
Cao Ila 12 Year is a delightful scotch that mixes soft smoke with rich, fruity aromas. Its balanced taste, with subtle peat and zesty citrus, is great for both newbies and seasoned scotch fans. Each sip offers layers of flavor, from gentle smoke to sweet floral notes, with hints of sea air and heather. It's a fantastic gift for anyone who loves a sophisticated scotch experience.
Compass Box Orchard House: Fruity and Fresh
Compass Box Orchard House is a lively scotch full of fruity flavors like apple and pear. It's light, refreshing, and has a clean finish that many will enjoy. Made from a blend of selected malts, it offers a sophisticated yet easygoing experience. Perfect for celebrations, it brings warmth and sparks great conversations among whisky enthusiasts.
Johnnie Walker Green Label: Blended Perfection
Johnnie Walker Green Label is a smooth blend of single malts with a rich, balanced taste. It mixes flavors from different regions, like oak, smoke, peat, and fresh fruit, with floral, woody, and spicy scents. It is great for whisky fans and newcomers and is a sophisticated and adventurous gift.
Dewar's Aged 15 Years: Smooth Blended Option
Dewar’s Aged 15 Years is a smooth scotch that mixes tradition with a bit of innovation. It has rich oak, honey, and vanilla flavors, offering a warm, complex taste. Its golden color hints at the velvety experience inside. Ideal for fancy dinners or cozy nights, Dewar’s 15 is a thoughtful gift that adds sophistication to any occasion.
Monkey Shoulder: Versatile and Affordable
Monkey Shoulder is a smooth, versatile scotch that's great for both newbies and experienced whisky enthusiasts. Made from three single malts, it has rich, creamy flavors with hints of vanilla, brown sugar, and spices. Perfect in cocktails or on its own, it offers a memorable experience. Affordable and impressive, it's a top choice for gifting.
Send Scotch as a Gift to Your Recipient Today!
Scotch whisky is more than just a drink – it’s a tradition, craft, and a journey of discovery. If you want to give someone on your list the rich, smoky flavors and the timeless craft of scotch whisky this holiday season – there’s no better way to explore the spirit than with Taster’s Club Scotch Gift subscription. Your recipient will receive a curated selection of scotch each month, showcasing iconic brands and hidden gems from Scotland’s top distilleries.
Discovering good scotch for a gift has never been easier – Taster’s Club Scotch Gift subscription makes it effortless with two exceptional options curated for every whisky enthusiast’s taste and experience level. For those new to the world of scotch, choose the classic gift club for a range of versatile, approachable single malts and blends featuring smooth and mild flavors. For the connoisseurs who crave something extraordinary, take gift-giving to the next level with our Scotch Pro Gift Club, featuring rare and top-tier scotches to fit their discerning palate.
No matter which option you choose, Taster’s Club ensures a memorable scotch experience that will delight any whisky enthusiast, month after month. Each delivery brings a curated selection of premium whiskies that are sure to impress to keep the experience going all year long.
Scotch Gift FAQs
Curious about choosing and enjoying scotch? Here are some common questions to guide you in picking the perfect bottle and savoring every sip.
How can you tell if scotch is good?
Good scotch has a nice balance of flavors, a pleasant smell, and a smooth finish. Look for a mix of tastes like smoke, fruit, or spice that work well together.
Why is quality scotch so pricey?
Quality scotch costs more because it takes a long time to age and uses top-notch ingredients. The longer it ages, the more complex and refined the flavors get, which adds to its price.
Does an opened bottle of scotch go bad?
An opened bottle of scotch will stay fresh like food, but it can lose its flavor over time. Seal it tightly and store it in a cool, dark spot to keep it taste good.
Should you drink scotch neat?
Many people like to drink scotch neat to enjoy its full flavors and aromas. But adding a little water or ice can also bring out different flavors, so it's really up to what you like.
Does unopened scotch improve with age?
Once scotch is bottled, it doesn't age or get better. Its quality stays the same as when it was bottled, so it's best to enjoy it within a reasonable time after buying.
How should you store opened scotch?
Keep opened scotch in a cool, dark place, away from sunlight and temperature changes. Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed to keep its flavors and aromas fresh.
Experience Premium Scotch with Taster’s Club Memberships
Help the Scotch enthusiast in your life embark on a new adventure in Scotch whisky with our Scotch Gift Club, which offers two exceptional journeys featuring hand-picked bottles from Scotland's premier distilleries. With this gift subscription, your recipient will explore everything from Speyside's intricate richness to Islay's intense peat, ensuring an unforgettable flavor adventure.
Help the Scotch enthusiast in your life embark on a new adventure in Scotch whisky with our Scotch Gift Club, which offers two exceptional journeys featuring hand-picked bottles from Scotland's premier distilleries. With this gift subscription, your recipient will explore everything from Speyside's intricate richness to Islay's intense peat, ensuring an unforgettable flavor adventure.