Not sure what to gift the scotch lover in your life? What about the Irish whiskey enthusiast? Fear not, dear reader, we’ve got you covered. We’ve gone ahead and created a list of the best world whiskies for gifts this holiday season, from places far and wide.
There are classic offerings from Scotland, as well as some more experimental releases from other countries. Read on for the best world whiskies for gifts this holiday season.
The 5 Best World Whiskies for Gifts in 2025
Glendronach 15 Year Old — Scotland
Few scotch whiskies taste like the holiday season more than the deliciously sherried Glendronach 15 Year Old. This whisky spent time aging in a mixture of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks at this distillery situated within the Scottish Highlands. The Glendronach’s calling card is sherry cask-aged scotch whiskies, and we are quite partial to its 15-year-old expression.
It clocks in at 46% ABV, and according to Master Blender Rachel M. Barrie, it possesses aromas of bramble, dark chocolate mint, orange bitters and walnut liqueur. On the palate, this festive dram is all Christmas fruit cake, with black cherries, muscovado sugar and Angelica root.
According to Wine-Searcher, Glendronach 15 has an average price of around $117.
Ardbeg Smokiverse — Scotland
In April, Ardbeg dropped its annual scotch whisky to celebrate Ardbeg Day, and this year’s release involved a groundbreaking “high-gravity” mashing process. Ardbeg’s Smokiverse involved the team at the Islay distillery lowering the amount of water in the mash tun, and the brand claims this yields a scotch whisky with fruitier flavors.
Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, shared that the whisky possesses “smoked bubblegum,” “tropical fruit,” and “sugared” flavors. In short, it’s a heady mixture of sweet with peat. The whisky clocks in at 48.3% ABV.
We were fortunate enough to taste this whisky, and it was nothing short of memorable. All of those fruity flavors of pineapple, sea salt and ash made it easily one of the most memorable scotch whiskies of the year. If you want to read our review, you can check it out here. Ardbeg Smokiverse has an average price of $128 according to Wine-Searcher.
Redbreast Pedro Ximenez Edition — Ireland
This luscious release initially started out as a limited edition whiskey from Redbreast, but it developed such a cult following it became a permanent addition to the Irish whiskey brand’s lineup.
Clocking in at a modest 92 proof, this whiskey is a Single Pot Still Irish whiskey that spent time aging in bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.
It was then re-casked in Pedro Ximénez Hogsheads to add a sweet finish to the liquid. The brand shares that this whiskey has a nose full of fruit and sweetness. On the palate, there’s plenty of fruit, spice and the finish is long and rich.
Redbreast’s Pedro Ximenez Edition has a suggested retail price of $95.
Paul John Brilliance Single Malt Whisky — India
Paul John hails from the coastal region of Goa in India, and this whisky brand is a testament to some of the greatness that comes out of this whisky region. With an average price of $61, according to Wine-Searcher, Paul John’s Brilliance is aptly named.
This unpeated whisky is distilled from a mashbill of malted barley, and it clocks in at 46% ABV. Brilliance is a hypnotic and easy-drinking whisky, and we were incredibly impressed when we reviewed it. With a heady bouquet of mangos interlaced with sandalwood, Paul John’s Brilliance knows how to make an impression. The mango throughline continues on the pour, and segues into a lingering finish of sandalwood and dark chocolate.
If there’s a Kentucky rye drinker who likes their spice and is looking to branch out a bit, definitely consider gifting them this delicious Indian whisky.
Found North Snow Day 10 Year First Flurry — Canada
Canadian whisky brand Found North aimed to capture the flavors of winter with Snow Day First Flurry.
This particular whisky is a complex blend, with 50% 2015 vintage rye, 5% 22-year rye in ex-bourbon casks, 28% 15-yr corn aged in new oak, 10% 22-year corn in ex-bourbon, 6% 15-year corn in ex-bourbon and 1% 20-year corn in ex-bourbon casks.
These whiskies were finished in a mixture of French Oak Ruby Port, European Oak Ruby Port, French Oak Rosé Port, French Oak White Port, 6 Kelvin New American Oak, Heavy Toast Char #1 and New American Oak Heavy Toast Char #2 barrels.
This whisky impressed us when we reviewed it, and you can read our review here. On the nose, we got boysenberry, coupled with doughy brioche. The palate’s richness immediately captured our attention, and we got Luxardo cherry coupled with toffee. The finish was all blackberry and crème brûlée.
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