Is the whiskey Advent Calendar worth it?

Answered by Andrew Fritz

As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have had the opportunity to taste and analyze a wide variety of whiskies. When it comes to the Advent Calendar, I believe its worthiness ultimately depends on your personal preferences and expectations.

For those who enjoy trying new whiskies and appreciate the excitement of Advent calendars, this product can be quite appealing. It offers the opportunity to discover a different whisky every day leading up to Christmas, which can be a fun and enjoyable experience. The anticipation and surprise of each new bottle can add an element of excitement to the holiday season.

Furthermore, if you are someone who is relatively new to the world of whiskey, this Advent calendar can be a great way to explore and expand your knowledge. It provides a diverse selection of whiskies from various regions, styles, and distilleries, allowing you to sample a range of flavors and aromas. This can be particularly valuable if you are looking to develop your palate and understand the different nuances of whiskey.

However, if you consider yourself a whiskey connoisseur with a refined palate, you may find the quality of the whiskies in the Advent calendar to be somewhat lacking. While there may be some standout bottles, the overall selection may not meet the high standards that you are accustomed to. This is understandable given the price point of the Advent calendar, as it would not be economically feasible to include premium, rare, or limited edition whiskies in every door.

Additionally, it is important to note that the whiskies included in the Advent calendar are generally presented in smaller sample sizes. While this allows for a wider variety of whiskies to be included, it may not provide enough to fully appreciate and evaluate each whiskey. If you are someone who enjoys savoring a full glass of whiskey and analyzing its complexities, the small sample sizes may leave you wanting more.

In my personal experience, I have found the whiskey Advent Calendar to be a fun and enjoyable way to discover new whiskies. It has allowed me to try whiskies from distilleries I may not have otherwise explored, and has sparked my curiosity to further research and learn about different styles and regions. However, as someone who appreciates higher quality and more in-depth tasting experiences, I have also found that the Advent calendar falls short in delivering the same level of satisfaction.

Ultimately, whether or not the whiskey Advent Calendar is worth it depends on your individual preferences, expectations, and budget. If you are looking for a fun and festive way to try a variety of whiskies leading up to Christmas, and are not overly concerned with the highest quality or depth of tasting experience, then it may be a worthwhile investment. However, if you prioritize premium whiskies and more comprehensive tastings, you may find that the Advent calendar does not meet your expectations.