For some, advent calendars serve as little reminders for how close we are to Christmas. They’re these exciting things that bring bursts of joy all December long, right up until the big day. But we’re adults, which means the holidays are a lot similar to tax time: We’re stressed out, we’re giving a lot more than we’re getting, and if there’s one thing we could use, it’s a damn drink.
Does that sentiment sound familiar? Well, we have some great news. It turns out, there are advent calendars just for us. Here are the 8 boozy advent calendars to get you through the holidays.
You can thank us whenever you’re ready.
Jack Daniel’s Festive Whiskey Calendar
Boom! Let’s come out swingin’. The brilliant and sympathetic folks at Jack Daniel’s released their advent calendar just a couple days ago. You get a variety of different JD bottles behind the tiny doors to warm you while the temps dip.Buy
Old and Rare Whisky Advent Calendar
If your holidays are shaping up to be downright unbearable, the Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar from the folks over at Master of Malt might be just what the doctor ordered. Is it going to run you almost $1,100? Sure, but is it filled with some of the best whiskeys on earth? You bet your ass. We mean, we’re talking drams of whiskeys that go for $3,500+/bottle. Mortlach 18, Bunnahabhain 25, Macallan 26, Talisker Bodega 40, all the heavy hitters are there in full effect, and you’ll have 24 days of the world’s best, right there ready and waiting.Buy
Tequila Advent Calendar
If there’s any kind of booze that can get us in the mood for holiday hijinks, it’s tequila—and a lot of it. In the Tequila Advent Calendar, you’ll find a hearty blend of añejo, reposado, and blanco tequila from some of the best brands in the world, all delivered in 24 neat 30ml packages. Some of the heavy hitters on the list include Casamigos Blanco, Don Julio Añejo, Fortaleza Reposado, El Jimador Reposado, and, if you’re into that kind of thing, Patrón Silver. Buy
The Rum Advent Calendar
When it comes to the holiday season, people absolutely love ruining a good glass of rum by diluting it with eggnog. We can’t, for the life of us, understand why. If you’re an actual rum person—as all good men should be—then this might be the advent calendar for you. The series promises a little bit of everything, from “light and sweet to dark and complex,” and even includes some award-winners, as well. A look at the included list does involve some excellent choices, from Brugal Añejo, to Ron Zacapa XO Centenario Solera Gran Reserva Especial, to even a little Sailor Jerry thrown in for good measure. Far as we can tell, this is as well-rounded a selection as you’ll find.Buy
Virgin Wines Advent Calendar
Hey, for some people, the prospect of drinking all that hard stuff might sound a little daunting. Maybe you’re more of a wine person. Nothing wrong with that! The folks at Virgin Wines put out their wildly popular advent calendar again for 2018 (it sold out in both 2016 and 2017), and while they won’t tell us exactly what’s included, they say the selection spans reds, whites, a rosé, and “plenty of fizz,” and that the wines are award-winners—34 awards in total, in fact. We don’t like uncertainty, but for a hundred bucks, we’re willing to take a chance. Buy
Sainsbury Gin Advent Calendar Premium Selection Pack
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: We’re gin guys. We’ll take it in a collins glass with soda, stirred into a dirty martini, or mixed into any crisp concoction you can think of. If you share these sentiments, then the Sainsbury Gin Advent Calendar is an excellent choice. It includes all the heavy artillery, like Hendricks, Tanqueray, and Bombay Sapphire, but also includes some interesting lesser known stuff, like Ophir (Asian spiced gin), Williams Chase Elegant 48, and Boodles London Dry. It’s a robust selection designed specifically for gentlemen who prefer good gin. Period.Buy
Heritage Distilling Co. Advent Calendar
Heritage Distilling Company is the most awarded craft distillery in North America for the last five years running, and their line of vodkas, whiskeys, and gins is second to none. At 60 bucks, their advent calendar is dirt cheap, and it includes some of their most prized expressions, including their BSB Brown Sugar Bourbon, the Dual Barrel Old Fashioned Ready Rye and Bourbon, their Blood Orange Flavored Vodka, and Elk Rider Vodka and Crisp Gin. We can’t imagine a better way to suffer through the holidays.Buy
GiveThemBeer.com Advent Calendar 2018
What? You didn’t think we’d ever put together one of these roundups without including at least one beer calendar, did ya? We searched the internet far and wide for the best beer advent calendar, and we think this one, from GiveThemBeer.com, is the clear winner. While it doesn’t have 24 selections, it offers a shorter, 12 Days of Christmas array of some of the top-rated craft beers, including New Holland’s Dragon Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout, Left Hand Milk Stout, and some awesome picks from places like Stone Brewing, Rogue Ales, and more. It’s a straight up win-win for every beer lover.Buy
