6 best gin advent calendars that will get you in the festive spirit

If you want to splash out for the Christmas countdown this year, Drinks by the Dram’s premium gin advent calendar is an absolute showstopper.

Inside you’ll find 25 wax-sealed 30ml samples from a range of genuinely world-class producers, including Isle of Harris, Ki No Bi Sei navy strength, which is a gorgeously sophisticated gin with fresh citrus, herbal and spicy notes, and Hernö Old Tom with delicious vanilla and cinnamon sweetness against the juniper notes.

This Drinks by the Dram gin advent calendar covers the entire spectrum of outstanding gin craftsmanship. What’s more, the presentation is sleek, and every day feels like opening a gift. Perfect for serious gin enthusiasts.

Easily the least festive option on the list, this selection of 12 gins, also compiled by Drinks By The Dram, features a good selection of different gin styles, each presented in 30ml wax-sealed miniature bottles, perfect as a gin advent calendar or more broadly as a gift for any gin lover.

Some of the box’s highlights include excellent gins such as the bold rare dry gin from Australia’s Four Pillars, distilled using a handful of local Australian botanicals such as warming pepperberry and Yarra Valley lavender, or cold-compounded Bathtub Gin with glorious perfume notes and a pleasing hit of orange peel, or Swedish Hërno Old Tom. A great budget-friendly option.

The Virgin Wines gin advent calendar delivers the exact level of quality that’s come to be expected from the company, containing 24 50ml miniature gins.

Highlights include bottles from Whitley Neill, Edinburgh Gin, and some smaller craft distilleries, such as Henley Classic Dry Gin, a contemporary take on London Dry Gin distilled with lime leaves, Szechuan pepper, and cardamom. There is also a Nordés Atlantic Galician gin, distilled from Albariño grapes and bold with notes of bay, samphire, and eucalyptus.

The illustrated “Christmas street” design really adds to the charm, providing a welcome hit of nostalgia, which makes it perfect for gifting. This is certainly one of the more accessible and mainstream options available. But if you’re after a good range without straying too far into the unusual, this is a definite crowd pleaser.

Easily the best gin advent calendar on the market for 2025 from a non-gin producer, the Fever-Tree calendar cleverly alternates between premium gins and Fever-Tree mixers, including a total of 12 complete festive serves.

Expect combinations such as bright and zesty Silent Pool rare citrus gin with Mediterranean tonic, tart and well-balanced Tarquin’s rhubarb and raspberry gin with ginger ale and Edinburgh Christmas gin with aromatic tonic.

It’s less about collecting lots of gins and more about perfectly matched drinks, showcasing the mixer just as much as the gins included. For the price, it’s great fun, though those who want 24 straight gins may prefer one of the other options on the list.

Drinks By The Dram’s standard gin advent calendar for 2025 follows a similar format to its premium countdown, but with a different line-up of spirits. With 25 30ml samples from top producers, this is a balanced pick for gin drinkers who want breadth without stretching to more premium prices.

Expect household names such as Hendrick’s, Sipsmith and Aviation – an American gin with delicate floral sweetness and a pleasant lingering finish, alongside flavoured options like Tanqueray blackcurrant royale.

Although the gins included are less remarkable than the premium option, the contents of this advent calendar feel more international and slightly more adventurous than other similar options, which is refreshing to see.

Expect a surprise each day throughout December with That Boutique-y Gin Company’s collection of 24 wax-sealed 30ml tasters.

Standout gins include the likes of spit-roasted pineapple gin made using demerara-roasted pineapples, which lend great sweetness to the gin, rounded off with an earthy juniper base, balsamic strawberry gin with surprisingly minimal acidity but loads of delicious woodiness from the aged vinegar, rich chocolate orange gin and its popular Yuletide gin.

The branding is bold and fun, as are the flavour combinations, with the contents of this calendar leaning more towards experimental than refined, less about prestige and more about playfulness. A perfect option for those looking to push their palates further.