Yahoo News Best alcohol advent calendars of 2021: countdown with gin, wine, beer and more this Christmas
It may be December, but the race to secure the perfect advent calendar isn’t over. While we’ve had our heads turned by chocolate and beauty-filled designs this year, it’s the alcohol offering that’s really made us sit up and pay attention.
Alcohol advent calendars is a category that just keeps giving. The daily treat, best reserved for enjoying in the evening, brings a delicious little lift to dark December nights. Whether you go for beer, wine or spirits, this selection box offers a chance to discover new varieties without splurging on a whole bottle while deepening your understanding of your favourite tipple.
Board a voyage of gin discovery or feel transported to sunnier climes with a rum advent calendar. Visit some of the world’s best distilleries by sipping their drams and impress friends later with your tasting notes.
Whether you’re chardonnay all the way, or have a soft spot for cask-aged whiskies, we’ve gathered all kinds of extraordinary alcohol advent calendars to enjoy in the run-up to Christmas.
See our favourites below
Best wine advent calendars for 2021
Virgin Wines Advent Calendars
It’s that time of year again: time to cash in your piggy bank savings in exchange for one of Virgin Wine’s incredible wine calendars. Available to reserve for just £10 a pop, choose between a mixed wine, all-red and all-white wine calendar. Each one holds 25 bottles and is brimming with delicious grapes from around the world as well as limited edition bottles.
Laithwaites wine advent calendars
True oenophiles have been waiting all year for the release of Laithwaite’s wine-filled advent calendars, and this year’s selection does not disappoint. The drinks experts have pulled together a trio of options, from all-red, all-white and a mixed wine case which includes a half bottle of champers to tuck into on Christmas Eve. Each option is designed beautifully with an illustrated building façade. Reserve any of them now just just £10.
67 Pall Mall Sommeliers’ Advent Calendar 2021
Experts in all things grapes, 67 Pall Mall has used it's extensive knowledge to offer a trio of boozy advent calendars this year. From the incredibly detailed packaging, which depicts the exterior of the brand's famous building to the interior chambers which hold 24 x 75ml bottles of wine chosen by 67PM's sommelier, this is a celebration of elegance and style. To help further understand what you're drinking, each wine comes with a QR code, which, once scanned on your smartphone, transforms into a tasting video. An education.
There’s also Burgundy and Bordeaux calendars, each offering 24 mini bottles from the famous wine-producing regions.
Best gin advent calendars for 2021
The Very Merry Gin Calendar
Craft Gin Club has returned with an advent that will have you gin-gling all the way to December 25. The 2021 box contains 25 varieties behind numbered doors, with bonus content from CGC ambassador Philip Schofield via QR codes.
Caution: SPOILERS AHEAD. If you don’t want to know the contents of the calendar, stop reading now.
The selection includes a sloe gin from Warner’s Distillery, the Chalkstream Gold Gin from The River Test Distillery, and the Cuckoo Supernova Gin from the Brindle Distillery to name just a few.
Fill the ice tray and grab the tonic, Christmas is about to get very merry.
That Boutique-y Gin Advent Calendar
Gin-uine fans of the spirit will go wild for this advent calendar from That Boutique-y Gin Company, created in partnership with Drinks by the Dram. Now a favourite on all advent calendar line-ups, this year’s offering serves up 24 wax-sealed 30ml miniatures of the good stuff, from festive chocolate orange gin to Moonshot Gin.
The Premium Gin Advent Calendar from Drinks by the Dram
Discover a new favourite tipple - with 24 options from distilleries around the world nestled inside this white, gold and blue box, there’s bound to be something new you’ll love. This premium calendar helps you countdown to Crimbo sip by sip with 30ml wax-sealed bottles. Brands involved are top-quality: we’re talking the likes of Tanqueray, No.3, Hendrick’s and Jaisalmer. Now, where’s that tonic?
Best beer advent calendars for 2021
BrewDog Advent Calendar
BrewDog has created the ultimate beer tasting bumper pack stuffed to the brim with new and exclusive brews. This year’s calendar contains 24 craft beers – 14 new beers for 2021, six new for this Christmas and four online exclusives. Delivery costs are included.
John Lewis Beer Advent Calendar
Why should the magic of Christmas diminish as we get older? John Lewis is on hand to help you have a very beery holiday season with its hunter green 24-door calendar, brimming with 330ml bottled beers: think lager, ale and IPAs. Uncover the day's treat every morning and store it in the fridge, ready to enjoy once the evening rolls round.
Beer Hawk's Beery Christmas Advent Calendar
Beer fans across the country will be celebrating the news that Beer Hawk is back with a another epic advent calendar this year. The selection includes everything from traditional wheat beers, to more modern IPAs and famous Belgian styles. There's even a micro-site, detailing flavour profiles and taking you to the breweries where the drinks were made using the digital portal of modern times, a QR code.
Delivery will be made in the first two weeks of November, and right now there's an early bird price to take advantage of. Take our advice and get this before it sells out.
Virgin Wines Beer Advent Calendar
Beer lovers, rejoice! This advent calendar from Virgin Wines is giving you carte blanche to indulge in a delicious brew each day in the lead up to Christmas. The calendar is filled to the brim with 24 different iterations including pale ales, lagers and more.
SEVEN BRO7HERS advent calendar 2021
Know someone who savours a craft beer? They’ll be delighted with this advent calendar, which brings together a mix of special beers from the Salford-based brewery. Varieties include the award-winning Watermelon Wheat Beer (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it) and the seductively named ‘Crunchie in a can’ Honeycomb Pale Ale. A great way to bring joy and support a small business at the same time.
Beavertown Brewery Advent Calendar
Beer advent calendars are probably only second behind beauty ones in terms of popularity, and now Beavertown is back with it’s iteration that will leave you having a very hoppy Christmas indeed. What’s different this time around is that the calendar can break down into five fridgepacks, so you’ll always have a chilled can when the time comes - whether that’s the new Bones range or classics like 8Ball Rye IPA, Black Betty Black IPA and Smog Rocket Smoked Porter. This 24-pack comes with a free glass too, so you can sip in style.
The Snaffling Pig Co. Crackling & Beer Advent Calendar
Offering a winning selection of snacks alongside beer, we can’t imagine many men who wouldn’t go wild for this advent calendar. There are 24 windows to open, behind which will sit either a packet of flavoured pork crackling (we’re talking Low & Slow BBQ, Marvellous Maple and Perfectly Salted), or 330ml cans of Snaffling Pig beer.
Best whisky advent calendars for 2021
That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar
There's no danger of feeling parched this December with That Boutique-y Whisky Company's advent calendar on your shelf. This year's fun design showcases whisky elves preparing for the festivities. Behind each of the 24 windows is a 30ml sample dram siphoned from some of the world's finest and specialist distillers.
The Bourbon & American Whiskey Advent Calendar
Who needs chocolate when you can have an advent calendar sloshing with delicious bourbon instead? Use Yuletide 2021 to discover American-born versions of your favourite amber nectar. Brands span the instantly recognisible Jack Daniels and Maker's Mark to smaller boutique brands.
Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar
If you’re looking for an extra special advent countdown this year, this epic advent calendar should hit the sweet spot. It not only features an elegant design, but it holds some of the most exclusive, elusive and high quality whiskies on the planet. Sip on something new every day until December 25 with 24 x 30ml drams from some of the most revered distilleries on Earth.
The Premium Whisky Advent Calendar
Whether you consider yourself something of a whisky aficionado or a newbie keen to dive further into this delicious world, this luxury advent calendar will be well received. Twist open 24 drams in the lead up to Christmas, and enjoy the festive period in a whole new way. Names include the likes of Glenrothes, Balvenie and Talisker.
Drinks by the Dram Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar
This year's Olympic Games shone a light on all things from the land of the rising sun, whisky included. Continue your admiration for Japanese whisky with this advent from Drinks by the Dram. There are 24 x 30ml vials to discover, each serving up a host of exciting styles and flavour profiles. Brand include the well-established such as Suntory as well as smaller distillers.
Best rum advent calendars for 2021
24 Days of Rum Advent Calendar
Summer may feel like a distant memory by this point, but you can bring the sunshine feels home this Christmas with a rum-filled advent calendar. This 24 glass bottle compilation contains 20ml serves from producers from Guatemala, Indonesia and even Mauritius. But that’s not all: the box also includes two tasting glasses and notes to guide you through each day of rum.
Best tequila advent calendars for 2021
12 Dram Tequila & Mezcal Collection
Perceptions about tequila are turning around, especially with the new cabal of producers making refined and elegant versions of the spirit. Try new tequilas and mezcals with this 12 day advent calendar made for the festive season with a suitably decorated box. Each measure is 30ml, giving you a chance to find your new favourite. It would be a crime to slam these - sip and enjoy responsibly.
Mike’s hard seltzer advent calendar
Causing a refreshing ripple through the advent calendar scene, Mike's is launching it's first advent calendar ever - and it's packed with hard seltzer. The limited edition boxes include six each of the brand's three flavours (18 in total), plus an additional surprises. Whether you're getting a head start on your NY resolutions with this low-cal drink or you just want something easy to cut through the rich festive fare, this is one calendar we'd love to get our mitts on.
