Overview: Two major retailers dominate the UK market with distinct offerings ranging from entry-level to ultra-premium collections. Expert tastings by Becky Paskin highlight specific selections for various budgets and experience levels.
The Full Story
The best whisky advent calendars have soared in popularity in recent years, offering unique collections of carefully selected drams behind tiny painted doors. In 2026, price points range from £99.95 to £9,999.95, with only two companies offering whisky advent calendars in the UK at the time of publication: The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt. While the initial cost may seem steep, these calendars often represent incredible value versus what one might spend on sampling the same whiskies at a bar.
The ranking identifies the That Boutique-y Whisky Company Calendar as the best overall option at £134.95 via Master of Malt. For those seeking to explore new spirits, the Whiskies of the World Advent Calendar from The Whisky Exchange is recommended at £120. Beginners are directed toward the Whisky Advent Calendar by Drinks by the Dram, priced at £99.95 through Master of Malt. True aficionados may consider the Very Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar, which carries a price tag of £9,999.95.
Drinks by the Dram also offers a Premium Whisky Advent Calendar for £199, featuring well-aged Scotch and recognisable names such as Aberlour and Bowmore. The Very Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar includes a hand-carved cabinet crafted by bespoke furniture maker Simon Jewell, complete with two Riedel crystal tumblers. Each selection offers fantastic value, albeit for wildly different prices, ensuring suitability for whisky novices or single malt connoisseurs.
Production & Profile
The collections feature Single Malt Scotch, English Rye, and Japanese blends. Sample sizes vary between 24x 30ml and 25x 30ml depending on the specific calendar. The That Boutique-y Whisky Company Calendar includes independent bottlings with some very old grain whisky, including a 35-year-old Girvan. Conversely, the Whiskies of the World Advent Calendar features whiskies that are less than 14 years old.
Geographic diversity is a key feature across the range. The Whiskies of the World calendar takes selections from Scotland across to India, Taiwan, New Zealand, Japan, the USA, and back round to England. Other calendars include samples from Canada, Japan, Scotland, the USA, Finland, Ireland, and Sweden. Styles include young English and Swedish malts alongside hefty, well-aged single malts and grains from Scotland.
Brand & Industry History
The best whisky advent calendars have soared in popularity in recent years. In 2026, there is a wide variety available, offering unique collections of carefully selected drams behind tiny painted doors. Right now there are really only two companies offering whisky advent calendars in the UK – The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt. While the latter’s calendars can be found at many online stores, the cheapest place to buy them is direct from the source.
What This Means
While the initial cost may seem steep, these calendars often represent incredible value versus what one might spend on sampling the same whiskies at a bar. The selection of unique, independently bottled whiskies – often of staggering ages – is so exciting that it represents the best value for the whiskies inside in some cases. Finding the right whisky advent calendar depends on what one enjoys drinking, what stage they are at in their whisky journey, and what budget they are working with.
Consumer Takeaway
The Master of Malt Very Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar is certainly exciting from a whisky geek perspective, but at almost £10,000, it is likely a dream for most. The calendar that represents the best value for the whiskies inside is the That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar. Its selection of unique, independently bottled whiskies – often of staggering ages – is so exciting that one would have to stop themselves from tearing open every door to get at them on 1 December. The Perfect Measure Whiskies of the World comes in at a close second – it offers a very interesting selection of whiskies, and really beautiful packaging.
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