CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Something for everyone
Celebrate the spirit of the season with whisky gifts for everyone on your list – Santa’s little helper Mads Schmoll has the perfect present, whatever level of whisky fan you’re gifting to
THE HOME DRAMMER
Here’s a gift for the ones who like to ‘coorie in’ at this time of year. They love a contemplative listen to late-night tunes, a fiendishly competitive game night or marathons of the latest streaming series – complete with the best company – and plenty of moreish snacks. When choosing a whisky, stick to ex-bourbon casks that celebrate whisky in its most classic form. They’re perfect for dramming, or for pairing with a beer of their choosing to make a hauf ‘n’ hauf. Choosing a whisky for the home drammer: Try our Sweet, Fruity & Mellow, Juicy, Oak & Vanilla and Young & Spritely flavour profiles.
THE FLAVOUR EXPLORER
Always in pursuit of the next adventure, the Flavour Explorer loves new and intriguing whiskies. Look for unusual cask types, unexpected flavour profiles or even peated whiskies from distilleries that don’t normally offer peat. If they aren’t yet a Society member, keep an eye out for some additional gift ideas coming your way later this November. Choosing a whisky for The Flavour Explorer: Use our website filter to highlight experimental and specialist casks or check out our Outturn podcast to find out more about what interesting casks are on offer this month.
THE MIXOLOGIST
Whether they love the classics or take an altogether avant-garde stance when mixing their drink of choice, focus on flavour. You can’t go wrong with our Single Cask Spirits which include rum, gin, armagnac, cognac, and the occasional bourbon or rye whiskey. Armagnac and cognac sipped neat make for an ideal after-dinner drink, but they’ll also make a cracking Christmas cocktail. Choosing a whisky for The Mixologist: Our Spicy & Dry and Peated flavour profiles are clear winners for big flavours that work to create exceptional cocktails More gifts: From our sister-brand, The J.G. Thomson mini tasting pack offers a taste of the full J.G. Thomson offering – complete with a spherical ice cube mould all packaged up in a stunning red hexagonal box.
THE SOCIETY SUPERFAN
If they love to share the Society word, The SMWS Society Tasting Kit gives them everything they need to host their own tasting with three 100ml whiskies, two glasses, a water jug, pipette and notebook – all presented in a swish blue box. Or keep them warm on their travels with the Society jacket and SMWS beanie hat and complete the look with our SMWS hipflask. Looking for a bottle to pair with the hipflask? Our Dram-Cierge will be happy to help you pick.
Choosing a whisky for the Society Superfan: Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits, Old & Dignified and Peated are festive flavour profile favourites. More Gifts: Society jacket, Society beanie hat.
THE COOK, THE BAKER AND THE GRILLMASTER
If it’s all about the food, give them a whisky for their next dish. For bakers, choose whiskies with sweeter notes – these can be used in Christmas puddings, in trifles or even in a festive whipped cream. If you’re choosing whisky for the chef, go for bold and fruity for meat dishes, dry and spicy for cheese and light smoky savoury whiskies for fish. If they are the ones always longing to use the barbecue, go heavy with the smoke – Peated, Lightly Peated and Oily & Coastal are the perfect pick. Choosing a whisky for the foodie: For bakers choose Spicy & Sweet, Sweet, Fruity & Mellow or Young & Spritely. For the chef, Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits for meats, Spicy & Dry for cheese, Lightly Peated and Oily & Coastal for fish. For the grillmaster go with Peated, Lightly Peated and Oily & Coastal. More gifts: Our single cask armagnacs and cognacs pair beautifully with cheese or chocolate after dinner.
THE WHISKY LOVER
If they aren’t a Society member, then membership with a bottle offers a whole year to explore what the Society is all about, with a full-size bottle of Society malt to explore in the meantime. There’s also The 12 Drams of Christmas, this year’s alternative advent calendar which can be purchased as a gift with membership. Choosing a whisky for the new member: Light & Delicate, Juicy, Oak & Vanilla and Sweet Fruity & Mellow are all great for those starting out on their Society journey. More Gifts: Society hipflask.
THE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Instead of doing individual gifts, you’re planning to spend time together in the company of good food and drink. Our whisky pairs and trios offer different flavour profiles so that there’s truly a whisky for everyone to enjoy over the festive season. If you’re near our Members’ Rooms you can also book a meal or private tasting and celebrate together. To gift: Whisky pairs and whisky trios are available from our online shop. Get in touch with our Members’ Rooms to book a meal or a private tasting (from six people).
THE WEE SOMETHING
You’ve already got the gift, but you’re looking for something smaller. Our Society beanie hat is a must-have for any SMWS member in the colder months. Inspired by the traditional sherry copita glass, the Society tasting glass is designed for nosing and tasting. If they prefer the outdoors, swap the glass for our SMWS hipflask. And of course there’s the new edition of The Founder’s Tale which features new chapters and photos from Society original Pip Hills. Even more gifts: Head to our Members’ Rooms for notepads, glasses, pipettes and more.
WRAPPING IT ALL UP
Dress to impress with our spectacular gift box in stylish black and copper foil – just like our whisky, expect quality and something a little different and unique. Perfect for any Society bottling.