This Mother's Day, Why Not Give the Gift of Whisky

For the whisky-appreciating mother(s) in your life, there are bottles galore that can be gifted in place of the usual standbys (you know what we’re talking about—maybe put the bathrobe back on the hanger). This Mother’s Day, give the gift of a superb dram. We’ve rounded up a number of options that emulate the spirit of more commonplace gifts, but take them in a more spirited direction.

Instead of flowers, get her Compass Box Orchard House Blended Scotch

93 points, 46%, $50

This revamped blend from Compass Box is bright, zippy, and floral, with plenty of zesty fruit, sugary sweetness, and rose petal to go around. It’s delicate yet flavorful—a perfect replacement for (or addition to!) a floral arrangement. While flowers shed their petals within a week, this gift will keep on giving.

Instead of chocolates, get her Jim Beam Black 7 year old Bourbon

92 points, 45%, $25

Aged longer and proofed higher than the flagship Jim Beam bourbon, this whiskey is loaded with chocolate notes, from chocolate ice cream and fudge to chocolate-covered cherries and black forest cake. And at that price point, it may very well be less expensive than a box of chocolates!

Instead of a bottle of wine, get her Ammunition Cask Strength Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Finished

91 points, 55%, $85

Skip the bottle of wine and get her this bourbon finished in Bordeaux barrels for 6 months. It’s a whiskey that bursts with flavor, and while not recommended for the faint of heart—the proof proves bruising on the palate—if she can handle a little heat, this is an excellent pick.

Instead of a brunch reservation, get her Eagle Rare 12 year old Bourbon

94 points, 47.5%, $50

Released ahead of Father’s Day 2025, this Eagle Rare is exceptional and packed with plenty of breakfast-like flavors. Consider the nose, where honey and whipped cream lie atop a foundation of earthy oak, or the palate, where buttered French toast and raspberry jam work in tandem with peppery spice.

Instead of jewelry, get her Hibiki Japanese Harmony

92 points, 43%, $100

A classic that’s delicate and gentle, yet packed with beautiful, balanced flavors. It’s a textbook example of the art of the blend, representing a poised and complex marriage of many single grain and single malt Japanese whiskies.