When it comes to Christmas, people seem to fall into one of two categories; those who have their shopping done by the beginning of December… and those who leave it to the last minute (thank goodness for Amazon Prime!).
No matter which camp you fall into, there’s no denying that Christmas is coming and it will be here before we know it.
That’s why the Fib Whisky team have put together our top 5 tips for buying the perfect whisky gift for the drammer in your life.
Top 5 Christmas Whisky Buying Tips
1. Budget
Before you make any decisions on which whisky, you should establish a budget. Whisky can cost anywhere from £40 to thousands of pounds and it’s very easy to get carried away when you think you’ve found the perfect one.
Working out how much you have to spend can help steer your decision, make searching a lot easier and stop you from overspending.
2. Preferences
There’s very little more divisive than whisky and it’s easy to see why. Whisky is considered to come in four distinct flavour profiles; fruity, smoky, sweet and spicy, although it is important to remember that these can overlap and create different profiles.
One way to think about this is in the form of colours. There are 3 primary colours (red, blue and yellow) and when you mix these together, you create secondary colours (purple, orange, green) and it is similar with whisky.
Another way to narrow down your options is to make sure you know the person who are buying for’s preferences with flavours.
For example, some people hate the taste of peaty, smoky whisky, so buying them a whisky from Islay wouldn’t be a good fit.
Try taking them to a whisky bar and listening out for what they order, or strike up a conversation about their preferences to give you a guide on their favourite flavours.
3. Occasion
When does your friend drink whisky? Is it quite regularly or do they enjoy it as part of a special occasion?
Determining this can help when choosing which whisky to buy as that can give you a steer on whether to buy a limited release or edition, or go for something a bit more mainstream and classic.
4. Search Reviews
Once you have established this above, it’s time to start browsing! Use the answers to the above to steer your search.
Reading product descriptions, along with product and blogger reviews, can give you a balanced description of the whisky shortlist and help you make an informed decision.
5. Ask!
People who love whisky also love to share this love and will happily give recommendations, tasting notes, or even a sample if you’re lucky!
Visit a whisky bar and speak to the people who work there or pop into an independent drinks shop and ask for their opinions and advice.
You never know, you might even discover a hidden gem that becomes your new favourite tipple.
Choosing the perfect bottle of whisky can be hard enough when it’s for you, let alone for someone else.
By establishing a budget, finding out taste preferences and when the whisky would be drunk, you can build a good foundation for your search.
From here you can research using reviews and tasting notes or even ask the experts in the industry, such as people who work in bars or in independent, local shops.
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