Buying Guides
3 min readcreative
Quick answer: The best Christmas whisky gifts under £50 are single malts matched to the person’s taste. Our picks: Singleton 12 for whisky beginners, Aberlour 12 for anyone who loves Christmas cake flavours, Laphroaig 10 for smoke lovers, and Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair for Secret Santa at under £25. All seven bottles below are in stock now.
A good bottle of whisky is one of the easiest Christmas gifts to get right, as long as you pick the right style. A smoky Islay malt can delight one person and disappoint another. A soft, sherried Speyside might be perfect for a beginner but too gentle for a peat fan.
That’s why we’ve organised this list by who you’re buying for, not just by price. Every bottle is a proper single malt from a well-known Scottish distillery, and all seven cost under £40, well within a £50 budget.
Start with the gift finder below. If you already know their taste, skip straight to the bottle.
Christmas whisky gift finder
| If they… | Give them | Price* |
|---|---|---|
| Are new to whisky | Singleton 12 | £34.99 |
| Love Christmas cake and sherry | Aberlour 12 Double Cask | £35.99 |
| Are curious about smoky whisky | Bowmore 12 | £34.99 |
| Love big, bold peat | Laphroaig 10 | £39.99 |
| Like a bit of everything | Highland Park 12 Viking Honour | £38.99 |
| Know their whisky | Bunnahabhain 12 | £36.99 |
| Are your Secret Santa | Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair | £24.99 |
*Prices at the time of writing.
Not sure what they like? Go for Highland Park 12 Viking Honour. It’s sweet, a little smoky and very easy to enjoy, so it suits almost everyone.
The 7 best whisky gifts under £50
1. Singleton 12 Year Old: for the whisky beginner
Speyside · 40% · £34.99
If they’re just getting into whisky, the Singleton is a friendly first bottle. It’s smooth and sweet, with toasted hazelnuts, baked apple and dates, plus a touch of brown sugar and espresso. There’s no smoke and no harsh edges, so it’s easy to enjoy neat or with a splash of water.
2. Aberlour 12 Double Cask: for the Christmas cake lover
Speyside · 40% · traditional oak and sherry butts · £35.99
Aberlour tastes like Christmas: red apple, honey, vanilla and gentle spice, with a light sherry note from its sherry butts. It’s the bottle for anyone who loves mince pies and Christmas pudding, and it’s lovely in a hot toddy on a cold December night.
3. Bowmore 12 Year Old: for the smoke-curious
Islay · 40% · ex-bourbon and sherry casks · £34.99
Want to introduce someone to smoky whisky without scaring them off? Bowmore 12 is the perfect gateway. Its soft peat smoke is balanced by lemon, heather honey and fruit, so it’s approachable but still unmistakably Islay.
4. Laphroaig 10 Year Old: for the peat lover
Islay · 40% · ex-bourbon barrels · £39.99
For the person who says “the smokier, the better”. Laphroaig 10 is one of the boldest whiskies you can buy, with thick peat smoke, seaweed and sea salt, plus a surprising sweetness. Peat fans will be delighted. Everyone else might want a different bottle.
5. Highland Park 12 Viking Honour: the safe bet
Orkney · 40% · sherry-seasoned European and American oak · £38.99
If you don’t know their taste, choose this. Highland Park 12 balances honey, sherry-cask fruit and orange peel with a gentle wisp of heathery smoke. It’s a little of everything, done well, and the Viking-themed bottle looks great under a tree.
6. Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old: for the whisky connoisseur
Islay · 46.3% · bourbon and sherry casks · £36.99
An insider’s choice. Bunnahabhain is the Islay distillery that mostly skips the peat, so this 12-year-old is rich rather than smoky. Expect bright fruit, nuts, vanilla and caramel, and a long finish with a hint of sea salt. At 46.3%, it has more depth than most bottles at this price. Whisky lovers will know it’s a smart pick.
7. Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair: the Secret Santa star
Islay · 46.3% · bourbon, sherry and refill casks · £24.99
Proof that a great whisky gift doesn’t have to cost much. Stiùireadair (Gaelic for “helmsman”) is full of creamy dried fruit, caramel and nutty spice, with a touch of sea salt. Under £25, it’s ideal for Secret Santa, colleagues or a thank-you present.
Tips for giving whisky at Christmas
- Think about what they already drink. If they love red wine or port, go sherried, like Aberlour. If they love bonfires and strong coffee, go smoky, like Laphroaig.
- Single malt beats a big-brand blend for a gift. It feels more special for a similar price.
- Add a pair of whisky glasses or some good dark chocolate to turn a bottle into a full present.
- Buy early. Popular bottles and sale prices often sell out in December.
- Check they’re 18 or over, and remember not everyone drinks. A gift receipt or a quick check never hurts.
FAQs
What is a good whisky to buy as a gift for under £50?
Highland Park 12 Viking Honour is the safest all-rounder. Try Singleton 12 for beginners, Aberlour 12 for sherry lovers, and Laphroaig 10 for smoke fans. All are under £40.
What whisky should I buy for someone who doesn’t drink much whisky?
A smooth, unpeated Speyside like Singleton 12. It’s sweet and gentle, with no smoke.
What is a good Secret Santa whisky?
Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair, at £24.99 at the time of writing. It’s a characterful Islay single malt that looks and tastes more expensive than it is.
Is single malt a better gift than blended whisky?
Not always better to drink, but single malt usually feels more special as a gift. Each bottle comes from one distillery, with its own character and story.
Shop Christmas whisky gifts
All seven bottles are in stock now and under £40:
- Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair: £24.99
- Singleton 12: £34.99
- Bowmore 12: £34.99
- Aberlour 12 Double Cask: £35.99
- Bunnahabhain 12: £36.99
- Highland Park 12 Viking Honour: £38.99
- Laphroaig 10: £39.99
Want to compare more bottles? See our guide to the best single malt whisky, or browse all our whisky.
You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
