Whisky hampers make excellent gifts for all occasions. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, job promotion or you would like to say thank you, a whisky gift will always be appreciated. When choosing a whisky gift hamper, there are a few things to look for. Here are some of the top ingredients in any whisky hamper.

Malt whisky

Malt whisky is the perfect gift for a whisky connoisseur. Normally found in Scotland, this type of whisky is made by using barley distilled in pot stills. Afterwards, the whisky is left in oak barrels to mature. It has a very unique flavour and is unlike any other type of whisky.

Blended whisky

As they name suggests, there are several types of whisky blended together. The various types of whisky include both grain and malt variants. This is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys various flavours and tones. When you read about the type of blended whisky included, check the label or do some research online. Compare the amount of grain versus malt whisky. The more malt, the better.

Tennessee whisky or Bourbon

Bourbon is originally from the United States and Tennessee whisky is strictly from Tennessee as the name suggests. Bourbons must be aged for a minimum of four years in fresh, toasted casks made from American white oak. Tennessee whisky differs in that it is charcoal-filtered before it is placed in the casks.

Chocolates

Dark chocolate is a particularly delicious treat to pair with your favourite whisky. The higher the percentage of cacao, the better. Chocolates that include fruit flavours are also delicious. Orange is a popular flavour when it comes to dark chocolate and they really complement the flavour of your whisky.

Fruit

When choosing fruit to pair with your whisky, you should look for tart fruits or tangy fruits. Examples include apples, pears or even chutneys that contain these fruits. Avoid citrus fruits because they can be overpowering. While they work well when added to dark chocolate, on their own they have a very strong flavour that will dull that of your whisky.

Snacks

Think about the types of snacks you will find at your local pub. These include honey-roasted peanuts, crisps, pretzels and rice crackers. They are all excellent pairings for that glass of whisky.

Dried meat

Deli-style dried meats are a scrumptious addition to your whisky hamper. Pork is a popular choice and it’s best to keep the flavours as simple as possible. Air-cured meats and smoke-infused whisky make a particularly wonderful pair.

Cheese

Stronger cheeses (like Roquefort) work well with spicy Scotch while sweeter whisky is better paired with softer cheeses (like Brie). If the recipient of the hamper is a whisky lover and a fan of fine cheeses, then you can include a selection of cheeses. Some of the best cheeses to include are Cheddar, Swiss and Gouda.

Biscuits

When adding cheese to the hamper, some kind of bread or cracker should also be included. Seeded crackers or gourmet crackers are two of the best options. Keep them as plain as possible with subtle flavours.

If you want to send a whisky hamper to a loved one but you are not sure what to pair the bottle with, you can always rely on professional hamper deliveries. Each hamper includes the perfect drink and food combinations. Ordering a whisky hamper online really takes the guesswork out of gift shopping.