A while back someone got in touch with a 60th coming up and a big budget, and they were thinking Johnnie Walker Blue. Fair enough, it's the bottle people buy to impress someone. But if the person you're buying for is into what's actually in the glass, there are better ways to spend the money. These are the things I'd give, a few of which I've made myself.
For the wall
The Whisky Flavour Map is around 100 whiskies laid out by how they taste, drawn up like an old explorer's map. If they've got a bottle they love, they find it on the map and look at what's sitting next to it. It makes a good present for a whisky person and it lasts a lot longer than a bottle. There's a light and a dark edition, in A1 and A2.
The Whisky Flavour Tree is the one for working out what you're tasting. You start with a broad flavour and follow the branches down to the note in your glass. Over 500 people have one on their wall now, and a few bars and restaurants too.
For the next tasting
Flavour Tree tasting cards, a pack of 10 to take along to a tasting. There's an A5 version, and a US and Canada size.
A proper nosing glass. I use Glencairns every day, and a little water jug or dropper goes well with one. They're both on my gear page, along with the 50ml sample bottles I use for sharing drams with mates.
For reading
Whiskypedia by Charlie MacLean and The World Atlas of Whisky by Dave Broom. I've interviewed both of them for the channel. I buy the Malt Whisky Yearbook every year too, if they're the type who wants to know about every distillery.
If you still want to give a bottle
At the World Whisky cruises in Wellington this year everyone's favourite was different, so I'd go for two different styles over one expensive one. A fruity Glencadam 10 and a smoky Laphroaig 10 is a good pair for working out which way someone leans.
If it's a big birthday and you want something special, these are the swaps from my overrated whiskies video:
Instead of Johnnie Walker Blue: Glenmorangie Signet if budget doesn't matter, or Balblair 15 if you want something that tastes better for less.
Instead of Macallan 12: Tamdhu 12. All sherry cask, comes in a great bottle, and a lot cheaper.
Instead of Ardbeg Uigeadail: Kilchoman Loch Gorm or Lagg Corriecravie.
For someone who loves smoke: Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength.
Something to do
If they're in New Zealand, a ticket to one of my tastings. If they're not, I've written up a free tasting they can do at home with my videos, which goes nicely with a couple of the bottles above. More ideas on what to drink are in my flavour guide.
Quick answers
What's a good gift for a whisky fan who wants to understand flavour?
Something they'll use while they drink, like the Whisky Flavour Map or the Flavour Tree, plus a proper glass or a couple of different bottles to taste side by side.
What do you buy a whisky lover who already has heaps of bottles?
Something that helps them get more out of what they've already got. A nosing glass, tasting cards, a good book or the Flavour Map.
Are whisky posters a good gift?
I'm biased, but yes, especially one they'll actually look at while they're pouring a dram.
Slàinte,
Phil
