FIELD NOTES — GIFTING NOTES
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The Short List
Jump straight to the picks.
The stocking is where the best gifts hide. Nobody expects much from it, so a well-chosen small thing lands harder than the big box under the tree.
These are the small things a whiskey or cigar man actually uses: the ice he makes every week, the lighter in his truck, the glass he reaches for first. Every pick is under $50, most are under $25, and every one is something we’d be glad to find on Christmas morning.
Prices are approximate and were checked in October. They move around during the holidays, so it’s worth a look before you buy.
Under $15
Small enough to tuck in the toe.
Large clear-ice cube tray
about $10- Why it works
- Two-inch cubes melt slowly, so the last sip tastes like the first. The cheapest upgrade to his pour.
Cocktail smoker wood chips
about $15- Why it works
- Eight woods to try. If he already owns a smoker, this is the refill he won’t think to buy.
Leather-wrapped hip flask
about $12- Why it works
- Eight ounces, stainless steel, a funnel included. Made for the tailgate, the deer stand, the long wedding.
Torch lighter with a built-in punch
about $12- Why it works
- A windproof double flame with a punch cutter in the base. Two tools for the price of one.
Outdoor silicone cigar ashtray
about $9- Why it works
- Holds big ring gauges, and it won’t break when it gets knocked off the porch rail.
Leather protector balm
about $15- Why it works
- Tuck it in with any leather gift. It keeps a wallet or cigar case from drying out.
Pressed hobnail rocks glasses
about $14- Why it works
- Heavy, cheerful, and hard to break. The everyday glass from Field Guide No. 01.
$15 to $30
The ones he’ll use every week.
Glencairn whisky glasses, pair
about $22- Why it works
- The tulip-shaped glass distilleries use for tasting. It gathers the aroma, so he’ll notice more in a pour he already knows.
Japanese-style double jigger
about $18- Why it works
- One ounce on one side, two on the other. Measured pours make a better Old Fashioned.
Cedar-lined leather cigar case
about $20- Why it works
- Holds three cigars and keeps them from drying out on the drive to the lake.
Whiskey stones with two glasses
about $25- Why it works
- Granite stones chill a pour without watering it down. Two glasses make it a gift for two.
Cocktail smoker kit with torch
about $30- Why it works
- A smoker top, torch and six woods. It turns his usual Old Fashioned into a little show.
$30 to $50
The stocking that gets talked about.
Old Fashioned cocktail kit
about $34- Why it works
- Mix, bourbon cherries and candied orange. Add his whiskey and he’s set for the season.
Full-grain leather coasters
about $36- Why it works
- Made in the USA, double-layered, and they darken with every ring of condensation.
Leather key organizer
about $40- Why it works
- Keeps a ring of keys quiet and flat in his pocket. A small thing he’ll notice every day.
XIKAR Xi2 cigar cutter
about $45- Why it works
- A double guillotine from the same family as the Xi1 in our cutter guide, for about $30 less.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best stocking stuffers for a whiskey lover?
Small things he actually uses: the ice he makes every week, a pair of real tasting glasses, cocktail smoking chips. Every pick in this guide is under $50, most under $25.
How do you fill a stocking for a whiskey or cigar man?
Pick one thing for the glass, one for the fire, and one for his pocket. Put the heaviest at the toe, and tuck a handwritten card in the top that says what to pour first.
What is clear ice, and is it worth the trouble?
Two-inch cubes melt slowly, so the last sip tastes like the first. It's the cheapest upgrade to his pour — and a clear-ice tray tucks right in the toe.
What are whiskey stones? Do they work?
Granite stones chill a pour without watering it down. Buy enough for two glasses and it becomes a gift for two.
What is a good cheap cigar gift?
A windproof double-flame lighter with a punch cutter in the base — two tools for the price of one. Or cedar spills, for lighting a cigar the old way.
What is a Glencairn glass?
The tulip-shaped glass distilleries use for tasting. It gathers the aroma, so he'll notice more in a pour he already knows. Most men who love whiskey have never owned one.
If I only pick one stocking stuffer, what should it be?
The ice tray and a bag of smoking chips. Cheap, used constantly, and he'll think of you every pour.
Are the $30 to $50 stocking stuffers worth it?
That's the stocking that gets talked about: a real cigar cutter like the XIKAR Xi2, or a set of leather coasters he'll keep on the bar for years.
THE SOCIETY’S GIFTING NOTES
For the one who’s earned it.
TIER 1
Under $15
The ice tray and a bag of smoking chips. Cheap, used constantly, and he’ll think of you every pour.
Our pick: the clear-ice cube tray
TIER 2
$15 to $30
A pair of real tasting glasses. Most men who love whiskey have never owned one.
Our pick: Glencairn glasses, pair
TIER 3
$30 to $50
A real cigar cutter or a set of leather coasters he’ll keep on the bar for years.
Our pick: the XIKAR Xi2
How to fill the stocking: pick one thing for the glass, one for the fire, and one for his pocket. Put the heaviest at the toe, and tuck a handwritten card in the top that says what to pour first.
