Flaviar Advent Calendar

Flaviar Advent Calendar is a curated 24-day whiskey discovery set containing twenty-four 1.7 oz vials of premium whiskeys sourced from distilleries around the world. Named the "Best Spirits Advent Calendar" by Forbes, each annual edition features an entirely new lineup spanning bourbon, rye, single malt, and international styles — making no two years alike.

Quick Facts: Contents: 24 × 1.7 oz vials  |  Origin: Global Selection  |  Type: Multi-Whiskey Advent Calendar  |  Brand: Flaviar

What's Inside & How It's Curated

Flaviar's team selects whiskeys from a rotating roster of distilleries worldwide. The 2023 edition, for example, drew from Sagamore Spirit (Maryland), Uncle Nearest (Tennessee), Bushmills (Northern Ireland), Stauning (Denmark), Starward (Australia), Chichibu (Japan), Lochlea (Scotland), and Limestone Branch (Kentucky). The 2025 collection includes verified selections like Frey Ranch Rye at 100 proof, along with SFWSC Double Gold winners such as Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, the red wine barrel-aged Starward Nova Single Malt, and the Solera-aged Stranahan's Blue Peak American Single Malt. An Armagnac vintage from 1984 — awarded Platinum and Best in Show Armagnac at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards — also makes an appearance.

Beyond the vials, the calendar ships with two Flaviar-branded Glencairn tasting glasses and a printed tasting journal with detailed information on each whiskey. A complimentary one-year Flaviar Black membership, valued at $40, is included as well.

Tasting Spectrum

Range of Styles: Because the calendar spans bourbon, rye, peated Scotch, Japanese whisky, Australian single malt, and aged Armagnac, the collective tasting experience is deliberately broad. Expect everything from honeyed, caramel-forward American whiskeys to smoky, maritime single malts.

Verified Highlights: Reviewers have praised SirDavis as "light and smooth" (rated 9/10), New Riff as "very smooth with a velvety finish" (9/10), Frey Ranch as a "very good Rye" (8/10), Bhakta at 8/10, and Loch Lomond as "a bit hot, smoky/peaty" (7/10). The range intentionally stretches from approachable and silky to bold and smoke-driven, giving drinkers a genuine education in whiskey diversity over 24 days.

Overall Arc: Lighter, fruit-forward expressions balance against cask-strength and barrel-finished selections, so each day feels meaningfully different from the last.

How to Enjoy the Flaviar Advent Calendar

Each 1.7 oz vial is designed for neat sipping in the included Glencairn glasses, allowing full evaluation of aroma and palate. Use the tasting journal to record notes and compare impressions across the 24 days. For cocktail-curious drinkers, bourbon or rye vials work well as single-serve Old Fashioneds, while smokier Scotch selections can anchor a Penicillin. Lighter expressions — particularly the fruit-forward single malts — shine in a Whiskey Highball with quality soda water.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who enjoys discovering new distilleries
• Couples or friends sharing a daily tasting ritual through December
• Expanding your palate across global whiskey styles in a structured format
• Hosting a holiday tasting party with a built-in flight of 24 expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the whiskeys in the Flaviar Advent Calendar taste like? The collection deliberately spans a wide flavor spectrum — from smooth, caramel-rich bourbons and spicy ryes to smoky, peated Scotch and fruit-forward Australian and Japanese single malts. Reviewers have highlighted the range, rating standouts like New Riff and SirDavis at 9/10 for their smoothness and balance.

How does the Flaviar Advent Calendar compare to Master of Malt's whisky Advent calendar? Master of Malt's calendar is another well-known option in this category and typically focuses on Scotch-heavy selections. The Flaviar calendar includes 60 percent more whiskey by volume than comparable spirit Advent calendars and bundles two Glencairn glasses, a tasting journal, and a one-year Flaviar Black membership.

Is the Flaviar Advent Calendar good for whiskey beginners? Yes — the tasting journal provides context for each pour, and the variety of styles serves as an accessible introduction to bourbon, rye, Scotch, and world whiskey. The 1.7 oz vial format also keeps commitment low for anyone exploring unfamiliar categories.

Where are the whiskeys in the Flaviar Advent Calendar made? Selections are sourced globally and change each year; past editions have included distilleries in Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Australia, Japan, and France.

What foods pair well with the Flaviar Advent Calendar whiskeys? Dark chocolate complements the caramel and vanilla notes of the bourbon selections. Aged cheddar or Gruyère stands up to the spice in rye whiskeys. Smoked salmon or charcuterie matches peated Scotch expressions. Dried fruit and nut platters bridge lighter single malts. Blue cheese pairs well with the richer, cask-strength pours.

What sizes does the Flaviar Advent Calendar come in? The calendar is sold as a single format containing twenty-four 1.7 oz (50 ml) vials, totaling approximately 40.8 oz of whiskey across the full set.

Is the Flaviar Advent Calendar worth the price? It positions as a premium gifting product in the spirits Advent calendar category. The inclusion of two branded Glencairn glasses, a printed tasting journal, a one-year Flaviar Black membership, and 60 percent more whiskey than competing calendars adds tangible value beyond the liquid itself. The New York Times has noted that it "always sells out," and CNET called it the best gift for a spirits lover.

Why the Flaviar Advent Calendar?

What separates this calendar from the field is scope and generosity. With 60 percent more whiskey than comparable Advent calendars and selections that have earned Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Platinum at the TAG Global Spirits Awards, the curation goes beyond novelty. Forbes named it the best spirits Advent calendar outright, and The New York Times flagged its tendency to sell out entirely — a signal of genuine demand rather than marketing hype. For anyone serious about tasting globally without committing to full bottles, this is one of the most efficient ways to explore two dozen distilleries in a single month.