Calling all gin lovers! As the festive season approaches, what better way to celebrate the countdown to Christmas than with a gin-tastic advent calendar? Virgin Wines’ Gin Advent Calendar is a delightful indulgence, brimming with 24 50ml bottles of gin from some of the world’s most esteemed distilleries.
While it might sound strange buying a gin advent calendar from the likes of Virgin Wines, after a lot of research and shopping around, the Christmas.co.uk team believe this is worthy of your attention.
The lucky recipient (or you wanting to treat yourself!), will discover a delightful range of gins, from traditional London Dry styles to inventive botanical blends featuring unique flavours like orange and basil, dandelion and burdock, or even peach.
Uncover familiar favourites like Bombay Sapphire and Edinburgh Gin, alongside exciting small-batch distilleries that could become your new obsessions.
Read on to find out why we were impressed by this Virgin Wines gin advent calendar.
You can also read our review of the Craft Gin Advent Calendar 2024.
Tips on choosing a gin advent calendar
But before you dive into the world of gin-filled festivity, let’s consider some key factors to ensure you enjoy the perfect advent calendar experience:
- Variety: Does the calendar offer a diverse range of gin styles to tantalise your taste buds?
- Bottle size: Are you looking for full-sized bottles to savour or smaller portions for daily discovery?
- Price: Advent calendars come in various price ranges depending on the quality and selection of gins included
- Extras: Does the calendar include any festive bonuses like recipe cards or special garnishes?
- Free Delivery: Look for calendars with free delivery for added convenience and value.
Why is the Virgin Wines Advent Calendar so popular?
The Virgin Wines’ Gin Advent Calendar stands out from the crowd for several reasons:
Expertly curated selection: Virgin Wines’ in-house spirits specialists have meticulously chosen 24 unique gins, encompassing a delightful spectrum of flavours and styles. From classic London Dry gins to adventurous flavoured varieties, this calendar promises an exciting journey for your taste buds
Unveiling hidden gems: The calendar showcases gins from both renowned distilleries and hidden treasures – all of them are in the UK and Ireland – allowing you to discover new favourites and broaden your gin horizons
- Exceptional value: At £99.99, the Virgin Wines Gin Advent Calendar offers fantastic value for money. Considering the quality and variety of gins included, it’s an investment that will keep your festive cheer flowing throughout December
Tips to enhance your gin advent calendar experience
While you can enjoy a small bottle of gin every day in the countdown to Christmas, you can enhance the experience by:
- Food pairings: Elevate your gin-tasting experience by exploring delicious food pairings. Citrusy gins complement seafood dishes, while juniper-forward gins pair well with cheese and charcuterie
- Share the joy: Gather your fellow gin enthusiasts and make the daily gin reveal a social event. Discuss your tasting notes and create new festive gin concoctions together
- Storing your calendar: For optimal flavour preservation, store your gin advent calendar in a cool, dark place. Once opened, smaller bottles are ideal for immediate consumption.
A glimpse inside the Virgin Wines Gin Calendar
We think this gin advent calendar offers a great way to sample great gins from expert distillers. These are our faves and we’ve added some ideas for food pairing too.
Henley Gin Classic Dry: A classic London Dry Gin crafted with traditional botanicals, offering a balanced and juniper-forward flavour profile. We loved it and thought it worked best as a classic G&T with a slice of lime. Pair with seafood dishes like grilled salmon or oysters
Tarquins Cornish Dry Gin: A coastal-inspired gin made with Cornish botanicals, including elderflower and gorse. It has a floral and citrusy aroma. This beauty could be enjoyed with a Mediterranean-inspired dish like grilled lemon chicken or a seafood salad
Aber Falls Welsh Dry Gin: This is a popular choice, and this Welsh gin is distilled with local botanicals like heather and seaweed. It has a unique, earthy flavour. Pair with hearty Welsh dishes like lamb stew or Welsh rarebit
- Two Birds Christmas Spiced Gin: This is a smooth festive gin infused with traditional Christmas spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove. It’s a very tasty creation and worth pairing with a festive dessert like mince pies
- Masons Yorkshire Tea Gin: It sounds like it shouldn’t work but we were swept away by this unique gin, which is made with Yorkshire tea leaves, offering a malty and slightly bitter flavour. It will go down a treat with a classic English breakfast or a hearty cheese platter.
The 2024 Virgin Wines Gin Advent Calendar
The Virgin Wines Gin Advent Calendar 2024 is more than just a collection of miniature gins; it’s a gateway to a world of festive cheer and delightful discoveries. With its expertly curated selection, exceptional value, and the promise of daily flavour exploration, this calendar is the perfect way to unwind, celebrate, and embrace the spirit of Christmas.
Indulge in a gin-tastic December and order your Virgin Wines Gin Advent Calendar today!
