Ultimate guide to choosing your first whisky subscription

Have you been eyeing up our whisky subscription boxes, but you’re not sure which one to go for? 

If so, we’ve created a guide just for you. We’ll walk through all of the different options, what you can expect from our subscription service, and how to make the right choice. 

So, let’s get into why our yearly whisky tasting sets are worth it.

What are whisky subscription boxes?

Have you ever thought of how good it would be to experience a whisky tasting session without having to leave your house?

Whisky subscription boxes allow you to do just that. Our subscriptions let you sample a wide variety of whiskies at a fraction of the cost of bar tastings or full bottles. That’s why they’ve become so popular with whisky beginners and seasoned tasters alike.

Instead of purchasing a full bottle of whisky and risking whether you’ll love it or hate it, you can try out smaller bottles and turn it into a fun event at home. Each one comes with expert curation, tasting cards, and a whisky tasting mat, providing you with the experience of a guided tour at home.

In fact, we were one of the first businesses to introduce this whisky subscription service in the UK! You can find out more about how we got started here. 

What are the benefits of whisky-tasting subscriptions?

If you’d describe yourself as a whisky adventurist, someone who’s always on the lookout for new whiskies and rare finds, then you’ll love our subscription boxes. 

Besides being a great way to expand your palate, a whisky subscription gives you something to look forward to throughout the year. It’ll turn up at your door at different times during the year, with new gems to try and test. 

Here are a few other reasons why you should try out our whisky tasting subscription service:

• Discover new flavours: We can become creatures of habit, only sticking to what we know. A subscription box gives you the perfect opportunity to branch out with regional varieties and rare finds, so you can sit back, relax, and release control. 
• Value for money: Tasting small bottles of whisky every few months is a lot cheaper than buying full bottles or attending multiple tasting events. Our boxes also include some exclusive or limited releases, so you receive high-quality samples at a reasonable price.
• Convenience: One of the reasons why whisky subscriptions are so popular is that it takes minimal effort on your part. Boxes arrive at your door regularly, pre-packaged with curated picks. There’s no need to spend hours hunting them down yourself.
• Educational experience: Whisky tasting encourages you to expand your knowledge of whisky and to develop your ability to perceive certain notes, smells, and tastes. Each tasting card also comes with information about the distillery and whisky production.
• Perfect gift idea: A whisky subscription is also a great gift idea for the whisky lover in your life. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, with new surprises delivered every few months. 

What type of subscription do we offer?

At Whisky Tasting Company, we offer sample tasting boxes.

These are neatly packaged and come with 5 miniature 30 ml bottles of whisky to try. Each box is beautifully handcrafted, with a tasting mat and info cards also included inside; it’s a ready-made tasting session in a box.

That’s why they’re so popular with beginners. It gives you a chance to ease into whisky tastings without being pressured to purchase a full bottle afterwards or keep up with those more experienced. 

Choose your Whisky Tasting Company subscription

Here are all of our whisky subscription options so you can browse and see which one you like the sound of. 

Option 1: Whisky Subscription (3 x 3-monthly)

If you’re new to whisky subscription boxes, this is the easiest place to start. This 3x3 monthly subscription option gives you three proper-tasting nights throughout the year, without committing to four quarters.

You’ll receive 5 malt and artisan whiskies in each box, all from different distilleries. These whiskies are typically aged for up to 12 years and are mostly from Scotland. However, we also throw in some lesser-known bottles from independent distilleries.

Since these are more spaced out, you’ve got time to re-taste favourites, compare notes, and share drams with friends, rather than rushing through a box in preparation for the next.

Option 2: Whisky Gift Subscription (1 year)

Our one-year subscription is ideal for beginners to whisky who want a guided way to learn what they like over time. 

It’s also perfect for seasoned drinkers who enjoy variety and want fresh drams to sample throughout the year. With this option, you’ll receive four whisky-tasting sets over the year, sent every 3 months. 

This set also includes a mix of five malt and artisan whiskies in every box. Most bottles are from Scottish distillers, offering lots of depth and flavour. You can also expect some premium single-cask malt whiskies. 

Option 3: 1-year subscription with older Scotch whisky (Silver)

Our silver package includes older scotch whisky tasting sets, perfect for the whisky expert who is looking for some hidden gems. 

These higher-strength drams are perfect for those who love strong scotches with plenty of character and history. The best part is that it lets you build your whisky portfolio without spending a fortune.

The Premium and Old Scotch Whisky Gift Set subscription includes Scottish single malts up to 15 years old, plus cask strength whisky (up to 58% ABV). You’ll receive whisky from a variety of regions, including Lowland, Highland, Speyside, Campbeltown, and Islay.

Option 4: 1-year gift subscription with Old & Rare Scotch whisky (Gold)

Gold is for the person who’s already tried plenty of whisky and gets excited by words like “single cask” and “cask strength”.

If you’ve sampled everything and you’re looking to add some rarer finds to your collection, then this subscription box is for you. You’ll receive four tasting sets over 12 months, containing a range of malt and artisan whiskies. 

The first set will include Scotch whiskies up to 50 years old, with both cask-strength and single-malt varieties. The other three boxes will include 12-year-old whiskies, with some bottles from independent distilleries. 

This includes rare finds such as Douglas Laing's King of Scots, aged 50 years (46% ABV), and Girvan Aged 32 Years (55.5% ABV).

Option 5: Seasonal editions (themed boxes)

Are you looking for a gift for a specific celebration? If so, we have subscription boxes specifically curated for different occasions. 

These include:

• Christmas whisky subscription (3x3 monthly)
• Father’s Day whisky subscription (1 year)
• Valentine's whisky subscription (3 x 3-monthly)

Each one comes with a place to add a personalised message on each box. They can be delivered straight to the person’s door you’re buying for, so they have a little gift waiting for them every few months. 

All of these come with 5x30 ml whiskies, plus individual tasting cards and a whisky tasting mat.

What to know before you commit to a whisky subscription box

Before you get excited, we’d like to state that our whisky subscription service is only available in the UK, including Northern Ireland, the Highlands, and the Islands.

Rather than paying as each box comes in, we take a one-off payment, so you don’t have to worry about setting money aside. Our subscriptions range from £80 to £180, so there’s something for every budget.

We are an HMRC-verified Scotch whisky bottler that has been offering subscriptions since 2010, so we really know our stuff! When you order from us, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best quality whisky and service. 

Quick pick

Sometimes you just want someone to tell you which one to go for without all of the extra fuss. 

If that’s you, here’s what we suggest:

• You're brand new to whisky and want a simple introduction → 3 x 3-monthly subscription
• You want a bit more variety and more sample sets → 1-year subscription
• You love Scotch whisky and want to try some older drams → 1 year (with older Scotch whisky)
• You’ve tried everything, and you want to sample some rarer finds → 1 year with Old & Rare Scotch whisky
• You’re looking for a seasonal gift → Christmas / Father’s Day / Valentine’s Day whisky sets

Don’t want to commit to a subscription?

That’s entirely understandable. Subscriptions can be a big commitment, so we only really suggest going for it if you know you’ll get the most out of each box. 

If it’s not for you, you can try one of our whisky sets on an individual purchase. We have everything from Japanese whisky sets to old and rare scotch whisky, so there’s something for every palate. 

Ready to expand your whisky horizons? Try one of our whisky sets today.