Personalised Whisky Gifts: Engravings, Experiences and More
Whisky lovers know certain things to be true. You can’t rush a good thing. A lot of the taste comes from the nose. And whisky is always a welcome gift - no matter the occasion.
A special whisky gift in the form of a limited release can make for an unforgettable present, and stocking up the supplies of their favourite, bestselling brands will keep you fondly in their minds when they come to pour themselves a nightcap.
But there are certain times where you need a little splash of something extra - and we’re not just talking about a drop of water to open up the whisky tasting experience. From unique touches to thoughtful pairings, personalised whisky gifts can elevate an already exquisite experience.
When it comes to whisky, there are the bottles that are meant to be saved for the most special of occasions, and there are the bottles which are meant to be shared to make any occasion feel special.
But this doesn’t mean the latter is less than. And if you want to gift a whisky that’s both asking to be opened whenever the occasion calls for it but still feels special, unique and covetable, consider personalising the bottle.
From the chocolatey, smoothness of Johnnie Walker Black Label to the sweet, smokiness of a Caol Ila 12-Year-Old, engraveable products allow you to leave your mark. Engrave someone’s initials for a one-of-a-kind gift just for them, or personalise the bottle with a message right from the heart.
If you have been given an engraved bottle, or you’re thinking of gifting one, you could also consider all the ways the bottle can be kept and upcycled once it’s empty.
A whisky bottle has been crafted to look impressive already. Therefore, showcasing the bottle and the engraving, one can keep the empty bottles and use them decoratively. Some ideas include:
Wrap them in fairy lights and place some inside the actual bottle for a unique light feature
Pop some fresh or dried flowers inside and keep them as a makeshift vase
Once cleaned and dried, turn it into a makeshift lantern by adding a tall, thin candle or a small fairy light that will add a great, soft glow glow on a dinner table.
Another inspired way to keep and reuse your personalised gift is to make it functional in the kitchen - whisky is a great base for many food pairings and flavour combinations, after all.
If you’re deciding to make a whisky sauce, for example, add a pouring spout to the bottle and decant your creation into your empty bottle. You can also make your own oils and vinegars and upcycle the bottle this way.
Another way of making your whisky gift a more thoughtful, immersive experience is to gift everything needed to make it a full whisky tasting.
Once you’ve secured your engraved bottle, shop around for the perfect whisky glasses. A good whisky tasting highlights the importance of the right glassware, for example. Tulip shaped glasses are shaped in such a way that helps concentrate the whisky's aromas and directs them towards your nose.
Other gifts to make a complete whisky tasting at home could include a personalised notebook for them to keep their thoughts together. This helps a newcomer to whisky especially understand how different malts smell and taste.
If your personalised whisky gift is for a long-time lover of the water of life, they might have savoured their dram the same way for many years - so could be missing out on something new. And if it’s for a new whisky convert, they might be looking for ways ‘in’ to unlocking all the flavours.
By not only giving them a personal bottle but all the ingredients and recipes for some of the best whisky cocktails they might not know about, you aren’t just gifting an exquisite spirit, you’re giving them the gift of flavour and adventure.
The final word
No gift compares to whisky, from a personalised bottle to cherish forever to unlocking a tasting at home experience. If you’re looking to take it to the next level, why not consider booking a distillery tour to witness the magic in real time.
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