11 Gifts for the Bourbon Lover in Your Life

We’re not exactly sure how the year has flown by this quickly, but the holiday shopping season is here. The summer-to-fall transition has begun, the autumn holidays are approaching, and before we know it, dining tables across the country will be set for Thanksgiving dinner. So, we figured this year we’d get a bit of a head start on our holiday gift lists.

You probably know someone who is always happy to enjoy a cocktail with you, but do you have any friends or family who specifically love bourbon? Most likely yes. For anyone who isn’t a seasoned whiskey drinker, you might be confused about the differences between whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch. You might also be a little unsure of which at-home bar gifts your bourbon-loving friend would adore. Well, we’re here to help.

First off, let’s break down the three terms we just mentioned. Whiskey (also spelled “Whisky,” when referring to Scottish, Canadian, or Japanese grain spirits instead of those made in the United States or Ireland) is a general term for an alcoholic liquor made from fermented mashed grains. Under that umbrella lives bourbon and scotch. Bourbon is specifically whiskey that is made from a grain mixture that is at least 51 percent corn and Scotch is whisky that's made in Scotland and “gets its distinctive smoky flavor from the process in which it is made: the grain, primarily barley, is malted and then heated over a peat fire,” according to Eater in a 2019 breakdown.

Now that we’re all set on the basic terminology, it's time to dive into the 11 best glasses, accessories, and treats any whiskey fan (and bourbon lover) will be ecstatic to unwrap.

Need more inspiration for cocktails? Visit our collection of recipes and cocktail-centric news at Drinks52.

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1. Hand-Etched Diamond Cut Crystal Whiskey Glass & Decanter, $147+

To decant or not to decant? Anyone who loves whiskey probably has their own opinion of whether it’s worth storing it in a decanter or not. If the person you're shopping for sits on the pro-decanter side of things (or you're trying to convince them that it’s worth the extra step), give them this crystal whiskey glass and decanter pair. Each piece is mouth-blown by master craftsmen in the Czech Republic from pure crystal and then hand-cut in a tight diamond pattern.

2. Crafthouse Bar Tool Set, $100

If your friend loves to host or play around with at-home cocktail creation, they’ll appreciate this beautiful tool set. With a wood cutting board, a bar knife, a channel knife, and a peeler, they'll have everything they need to get that perfect orange-peel garnish for their Old Fashioned.

3. MATCH Italian Pewter & Crystal Whiskey Snifter Glass, $97

Any serious bourbon drinker should have at least one snifter glass in their collection. Thanks to the round bottom and narrow mouth of a snifter glass, the aromas are trapped (or concentrated), so you can experience them each time you take a sip. Plus, the small stem helps to prevent your hand from warming up your whiskey or bourbon of choice. This one from MATCH is made of pewter and crystal and is handmade in Italy, helping you sip in style.

4. Vintage-Inspired Copper Cocktail Cups (Set of 4), $150

If a mint julep is their favorite drink, surprise them with this set of copper cocktail cups so they can make them at home. Copper on the outside and tin on the inside, they're ready to be filled with the Kentucky’s cocktail of choice.

5. Vintage-Inspired Ice Crusher Kit, $40

Still in a julep state of mind, this ice crusher kit is a fun gift for any whiskey lover who loves to host. Many whiskey-centric drinks like the aforementioned mint julep, a bourbon smash, or this Bourbon, Orange, and Ginger often call for crushed or pebble ice, so why not make it easy?

6. LSA Borough Bar Glass Collection (Set of 4), $55

While all of these glasses are perfect for any home bar, the coupe glasses are especially great for any bourbon-centric bar cart. The next Manhattan they make will be picture-ready.

7. MATCH Italian Pewter & Glass Mixing Glass, $195+

A crystal glass with a pewter base, this mixing glass is a beautiful gift any cocktail fan will love. Add this to their at-home bar setup and they'll be stirring a Sazerac in no time.

8. Estelle Hand-Blown Colored Rocks Glasses (Set of 2), $95

Sometimes the best gifts are ones that are thoughtful and simple. This pair of classic rocks glasses is a fantastic gift for anyone who doesn't care for the frills of at-home cocktail making—they just want a beautiful glass for sipping on their favorite pour.

9. Extra-Large Ice Cube Trays, Set of 2, $48

As you probably already know, when you add water to whiskey it changes the flavor profile. If the person you're shopping for prefers their bourbon on the rocks, then this set of extra-large ice cubes is an ideal gift for them. Each tray has a compact, space-saving, stackable design and makes four 2.25-inch square cubes perfect for slowly melting into a stiff drink.

10. AREAWARE Geometric Whiskey Stones (Set of 4), $45

On the other hand, if your friend loves a cold glass but doesn't want any dilution, these whiskey stones are an easy swap. Just pop this hand-finished set of soapstone and marble shapes—a pyramid, sphere, rectangular prism, and cylinder—in the freezer and they'll be ready to chill (but never water down) any glass.

11. Tuthilltown Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, $29

Lastly, if their bar cart is already filled to the brim, try nodding at their love for all things whiskey with this bourbon maple syrup. Each bottle is harvested from heritage sugar shacks in the orchards of Québec before maturing in charred American oak barrels with a bit of raw Tuthilltown bourbon. Thanks to this process, the syrup has a complex, oaky flavor that’s impossible not to love.

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What is your bourbon or whiskey of choice? Let us know below!