Best Whiskeys for Gifting, According to Bartenders

Michter’s 10 Year

Gabbay is all-in on Michter’s this season, as he calls the brand’s 2025 releases “pinnacle gift material.” So when he stuffs stockings this year, he’s starting with .

“This one’s a quiet stunner. It opens with caramel, dried cherries, dark chocolate, and a touch of oak, like dessert in a glass,” says Gabbay. “Smooth spice and vanilla roll into a long, cozy finish. The bottle looks like it belongs on a mahogany shelf, and the 2025 batch is one of the best yet.” He says it’s perfect to sip by the fire.

Bomberger’s Declaration

Another Gabbay favorite is Bomberger’s Declaration, also under the Michter’s umbrella. The name honors the original Bomberger’s Distillery from the 1800s, which eventually became Michter’s. This expression was finished in special oak that amps up the flavor. Gabbay says he gets “dark fruit, toffee, warm spice, chocolate, and a salty-sweet edge.” He says it’s big, bold, yet silky, and it works great sipped neat or mixed into an Old Fashioned.

Hakushu 18 Year

Kasin, who visited the Hakushu distillery in Japan earlier this year, says that it is one of his favorite whiskies. He calls it “a masterclass in balance. An elegant mix of peat, sweetness, and herbal notes that makes every sip memorable.”

Widow Jane The Vaults

Justin Lorenz, beverage director at Lotte New York Palace, recommends Widow Jane The Vaults. “Each year’s expression introduces a new finishing style, making it a brilliant annual gift tradition for any whiskey lover,” he says.

Lorenz suggests the 2024 release, if you can find it. It’s a blend of 15-year-old bourbons selected to complement the hard-to-source Amburana wood finishing casks. He says that the wood “is renowned for imparting an unexpected combination of warm spices, floral notes, and tropical characteristics.” 

The result, says Lorenz, is “a flavor profile that is layered and festive, with amaretto, honey graham cracker, cinnamon and cherry blossom on the nose. It is full and viscous on the palate, with notes of cinnamon again, licorice, and toffee.” 

If you can’t find the 2024 edition, Lorenz says that the 2025 bottle is also a fine choice. It’s finished in “mythological oak” from coastal Greek forests, and has notes of wild honey, fig, and sage.

Suntory Ardray

“One of my favorite new bottles of whisky that has come out in recent years is Ardray from Suntory,” says Robert Lam-Burns, bar manager at Len Len, a Thai bar and restaurant in New York City. Ardray is a blend of Scotch whiskies created by Suntory’s blenders from Japan and bottled without an age statement. However, don’t let that deter you.

“It harmoniously mixes soft smokiness with hints of pear and plum,” says Lam-Burns. “It’s a great gift for someone who is into Scotch, but too scared to venture into the unknown by themselves.”

Laphroaig Càirdeas

Rob Scott, head bartender at Almanac in Philadelphia, recommends the smoky Laphroaig Càirdeas, which is Gaelic for friendship and goodwill. Scott says that “gifting any edition of this bottle would certainly be a good showing of friendship.” The bottling varies each year, but Scott says that every expression is a wonderful marriage of Laphroaig whisky with a finishing cask. 

Jacob’s Pardon Small Batch Recipe #3

Jacob’s Pardon Small Batch Recipe #3 is a light whiskey, but unlike a light beer, it’s not low in alcohol, at a hefty 71% ABV. In this case, “light whiskey” refers to a category that’s distilled to a higher proof and aged in used or uncharred barrels to create a lighter flavor profile than typical bourbons and ryes.

“This is for someone who is into whiskey and appreciates something high-end, distinct, and with depth,” says Jason Hedges, director of beverage for LT Hospitality and the F&B concepts at Kimpton Hotel Eventi in New York City. 

At 18 years old, this expression is unusually mature for its category, and it has a unique mash bill of 99% corn and 1% malted barley, says Hedges. “Its flavor profile is bold and intriguing, with notes of caramel corn, black cherry, prune, baking spices, clove, vanilla bean, and pipe tobacco. It’s premium, but its availability is still reasonable.”