Season's eatings: Gourmet advent calendars

Drinks by the Dram Whisky Advent Calendar

This adults-only advent calendar holds behind its doors not chocolate, but a collection of 24 different whiskies. The 30ml miniature bottles provide the ideal format to sample a wide variety, from superlative single malts to a rare Scotch that would otherwise set you back almost £600 per bottle.

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£149.95, masterofmalt.com

Maison Pierre Marcolini Christmas Advent Calendar

Connoisseurs of Pierre Marcolini's high-end, bean-to-bar chocolate will find much to delight in with this celestial-themed offering. It features bite-size specialities of the maison including pralines and its iconic heart-shaped Coeurs in nougat, pistachio and caramel.

Available from 9 November, £49, marcolini.com

Lakrids Liquorice Advent Calendar

For a sweet countdown to Christmas look no further than Lakrids. The Danish company makes some of the finest liquorice around, which for the festive season it has transformed into inventive flavours including spicy ginger with milk chocolate and lemongrass and tart raspberry. Surprise yourself with its advent calendar, which includes a range of 24 treats.

€39.00, lakrids.nu

Ginvent Calendar

The proliferation of interesting craft gin producers shows little sign of slowing down, making calendars such as these all the more useful for finding your new favourite. Here the 24 gins have been expertly picked to ensure a diverse range of styles, from London Dry to Old Tom.

£124.95, masterofmalt.com

The Big Chilli Advent Calendar

Kick your cooking up a notch with this spicy alternative featuring 24 chillies from around the world. Even the most seasoned chef is likely to find something unfamiliar making the included recipe booklet all the more useful, with tempting dishes such as pasilla chilli mince pies and chipotle chilli cheesy Welsh rarebit.

£35, souschef.co.uk

Biscuiteers Holiday Advent Biscuit Tin

These pretty-as-a-picture biscuits are iced with all manner of whimsical winter motifs, from cosy jumpers and roaring fires to snowmen and robins. While they come in just as beautiful a tin, go full out and display them in a limited-edition cloth calendar by interior designer Susie Watson.

£48 for biscuit tin, £60 for cloth calendar (together £99), biscuiteers.com

Carluccio's Limited Edition Advent Calendar

If you're fed up of the traditional festive fare, this Italian culinary extravaganza might be the perfect antidote. It comes packed with miniatures of some of Carluccio's classic items, from limoncello chocolates and torrone, to truffle butter and porcini oil.

£75, carluccios.com

Fortnum and Mason Rare Tea Wooden Advent Calendar

Fortnum and Mason are world-renowned for its tea and for good reason. Here it brings together some of its finest blends, spanning Ceylon, Oolong, green teas, jasmine and more, each hidden behind a door on the charming wooden calendar.

£125, fortnumandmason.com