The Weekend Series: splash out this Christmas with five boozy advent calendars
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me… an advent calendar that was a little bit boozy! Before long we’ll be counting down the days to Christmas, but while everyone else is looking for your run-of-the-mill chocolate-filled advent calendars, we’ve got our eye on some boxes packed with a little bit more Christmas ‘sprit’. Alcohol advent calendars are all the rage this year, with types to suit any kind of drinker. If you’re a gin giver, beer hound or whisky lover, we’re sure you’ll love one of these five festive advent calendars.
Gintonica
Australian gin specialist Gintonica is offering festive drinkers one of the best boozy advent calendars on the market. This box boasts 24 50ml bottles of some of the best drops from Australia’s finest distilleries, encompassing established names and new micro-producers. In addition to the intoxicating elixirs, the box comes with a guide to enjoying gin from The Martini Whisperer Phillip Jones as well as tasting notes and serving suggestions from the featured distilleries. Check out Gintonica’s website for more info.
BoozeBud
What’s your flavour? It doesn’t matter if you’re a beer or wine drinker, or if you prefer cider as your drink of choice, BoozeBud has got an advent calendar to suit your tastes. Craft-beer drinkers can treat themselves to a mixed pack of freshly brewed beverages (some made exclusively for the advent season), while wine sippers can opt for red or white wine calendars containing hand-selected vino from Australia’s iconic regions. Spirit lovers aren’t left out in the cold – BoozeBud also has advent calendars for gin, whisky and rum drinkers. Head to BoozeBud’s website to get a look at what’s on offer.
Image: BoozeBud
Beer Cartel
Australia’s largest online stockist of craft beer, Beer Cartel, has put together a who’s who of brewing excellence for its annual advent calendar. This is the ultimate present for any froth fanatic, with 25 beers perfect for sipping every day until (and including) Christmas Day. Beer Cartel’s box is stocked with a completely new selection of beverages compared to last year – we’re talking 25 handcrafted beers from 25 of Australia’s finest breweries. Pale ales, IPAs, pilsners, session ales and red ales – no matter your style, every drop is accounted for. For more information, click here.
The Wine Gallery
The Wine Gallery is an incredible resource for discovering brand-new wines. Each month, new bottles are sent to customers based on their tastes, with under-discovered bottles being a specialty. The Wine Gallery’s 12 Wines of Christmas advent calendar is a brilliant gift for anyone that can appreciate a good drop or someone eager to dip their toes into the scene. The box packages 12 of The Wine Gallery’s highest-rated bottles from the year, offering mixed boxes or collections of exclusively red or white drops. In addition to the 12 bottles, this advent calendar will also include Christmas recipes, ideal pairings for each drop, tasting notes and even a few surprises. Have a look here.
Image: The Wine Gallery
Master of Malt
Master of Malt is a great resource for those looking to stock up on a special bottle or two, and the site’s Christmas section is packed with spirit-filled advent calendars. We wouldn’t limit ourselves to just one choice here, so we’ll give you a couple of recommendations. Boutique distillery Drinks by the Dram has put forth an advent calendar filled with world-renowned Scotch whiskies, with a 30ml treat for each day of the festive season. That Boutique-y Gin Company has also got a handy calendar for sale, filled with a selection of 24 different gins, each 30ml bottle containing a wax-sealed ample of a different variety. Browse the incredible selection here.
Image: Master of Malt
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