These boozy gin and rum advent calendars are what Christmas is all about
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I reviewed fun gin and rum advent calendars that are all the rage for Christmas - these are my favourites
I’ve been gradually upgrading on Christmas advent calendars over the years. Quaint picture images haven’t had a look in since I was introduced to chocolate advent calendars and beauty versions but now I’m found ones that are even more fun.
Gin and rum are among my favourite festive tipples so when I realised there are Christmas countdowns featuring specialty miniatures, I couldn’t resist. There are some competitive prices around in the battle to win pre-Christmas and Black Friday shoppers, so it’s a good time to get them in stock ahead of when the first advent window opens on December 1.
I came across a British company called Drinks By The Dram that does a range of boozy advent calendars for whatever is your go-to drink. They set up in Kent almost 15 years ago and are still going strong with a store profile within Amazon.
If gin or rum isn’t your thing, then don’t fear as there’s a wide range of its other advent calendars at Master of Malt from vodka here for £74.95 to a whisky version here for £99.95. Although I’m focusing on the gins and rums below.
Exciting gin advent calendars for 2024
That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar 2024 is a prettier version than many with a snowy hipster scene, aimed predominantly at the female market. A gin bar glows while apartment residents toast drinks from neighbouring windows. I can almost hear that Christmas Wrapping song by The Waitresses as I look at it.
It costs £69.95 on Amazon here or is currently £64.95 from Master of Malt here.
The calendar contains 24 different types of 30ml miniature bottles of gin. There’s a good range of surprises in store that have a festive feel to them including a Christmas Pudding Gin, Mince Pie Gin Liquor and Christmas Tree Gin. There’s also big name brands like Yuzu and Bathtub Gin in the mix.
Not as colourful but offering a more stylish option is the Drinks By The Dram Premium Gin Advent Calendar containing 25 wax sealed drams inside - one extra for Christmas Day too. I opened each window to reveal a potion type 30ml bottle from inside that filled me with excitement and looked exquisite.
This 2024 calendar is £99.95 on Amazon here and contains some of the best names in the business from The Botanist Islay Dry Gin and Tanqueray No. Ten - voted the best in the world for cocktails - to Roku Japanese Craft Gin and Hendricks.
The Premium Gin Advent Calendar is the same price of £99.95 on Master of Malt too here.
There’s also a regular Gin Advent Calendar in elegant dark green with similar 25, 30ml wax sealed bottles but slightly cheaper for £74.95 at Master of Malt here or £79.80 on Amazon here.
The contents have decent offerings including Chase and Bathtub Gin. That works out as about £3 a night over the whole of advent, which is pretty good value for money in my book.
Rum advent calendar for Christmas
Whether it’s spiced rum or regular, there are a variety of advent calendars. There’s the regular Rum Advent Calendar by Drinks By The Dram with 25 bottles for £99.95 on Amazon here.
It’s got favourites like Jamaica’s Appleton Estate, Mount Gay, Rumbullion! and Don Papa Baroko hidden within to reveal. It is also £99.95 on Master Of Malt including free delivery here too.
A Spiced Rum Advent Calendar also has 25 bottles but is cheaper at £74.95 on Master of Malt here or it is priced at £79.89 on Amazon here.
The wax sealed 30ml bottles look charming and are ready to drink neat or add into some Coke or a cocktail.
What I liked about these advent calendars across the board is that it gave me the chance to taste expensive gins and rums that I wouldn’t normally buy a whole bottle of without knowing if it was to my taste. They also feel like a real treat and are beautifully presented like large books.
Plus as the weather gets colder and the nights draw in, it’s a nice warming sifter to enjoy with a tonic and lasts longer than a piece of chocolate in a calendar ever did. Definitely something I could savor and feel the true spirits of Christmas.
Other gin advent calendars available include from The Craft Gin Club for £89.99 and Virgin Wines Premium Gin Advent Calendar for £99.99 among a wide range on sale ahead of Christmas.