Chocolate is not the only way to count down to Christmas.
The Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar turns the festive countdown into a rum tasting experience, hiding 12 different 3cl wax-sealed rum samples behind its doors, selected from producers around the world.
Created by Drinks by the Dram, the calendar offers a shorter alternative to the increasingly elaborate 24 and 25-day spirits calendars that appear every Christmas.
And that is arguably one of its biggest advantages.
Rather than committing to a different alcoholic drink every night throughout December, this 12 Day Rum Advent Calendar provides twelve individual tasting occasions that can be spread across the month, enjoyed over the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas or shared between two people.
At the time of writing, the Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar is available from Hard To Find Whisky for £59.95 and is currently in stock. The set contains 12 x 3cl miniature bottles and is listed at 41.1% ABV.
For anyone searching for a rum advent calendar 2026, premium rum advent calendar, 12 day rum advent calendar or an unusual Christmas gift for a rum drinker, this is one of the most accessible ways to turn December into a tasting journey.
Buy the Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar at Hard To Find Whisky.
Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar at a Glance
Producer: Drinks by the Dram
Calendar: Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar
Contents: 12 different rum samples
Sample size: 3cl / 30ml each
Total spirit: 36cl
Listed ABV: 41.1%
Bottle style: Miniatures
Closure: Wax sealed
Rum origins: Various regions
Packaging: Gift packaging
Current HTFW price: £59.95
Availability: In stock at the time of writing
Each of the twelve doors conceals an individual 30ml wax-sealed miniature, with the rums selected from producers around the world.
That gives a total of 36cl of rum across the calendar.
What Is the Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar?
The Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar is a spirits Advent calendar created by Drinks by the Dram specifically for rum drinkers.
Instead of chocolate, each door contains a miniature bottle.
There are 12 individual 3cl servings, with a different rum waiting behind each door. HTFW describes the selection as being sourced from impressive producers across the globe.
The miniature format is important.
A 3cl dram is large enough to provide a meaningful tasting measure without requiring the buyer to purchase an entire bottle of each rum.
That means the calendar can work in several ways:
- As a Christmas countdown
- As a rum tasting set
- As a gift for an established rum drinker
- As an introduction for someone starting to explore premium rum
- As a shared tasting experience
- As a way to discover potential future full-bottle purchases
The mystery is part of the appeal.
Rather than choosing twelve bottles in advance, each door reveals the next rum as the tasting progresses.
Who Are Drinks by the Dram?
Drinks by the Dram specialises in taking full-sized spirits and presenting them as individual 30ml wax-sealed samples.
The concept is built around discovery.
Instead of buying a full bottle before knowing whether a spirit suits your tastes, the miniature format lets drinkers explore different producers, countries and styles one dram at a time. Drinks by the Dram offers the format across whisky, rum, gin, vodka and other spirits, including tasting sets and Advent calendars.
The wax seal has also become a recognisable part of the presentation.
Each miniature feels more substantial than a basic plastic sample bottle and helps turn the act of opening each dram into part of the experience.
For Christmas, that approach fits naturally into an Advent calendar.
One door.
One sealed miniature.
One new rum to discover.
What Is Inside the Premium Rum Advent Calendar?
The most important confirmed detail is that the calendar contains:
12 x 30ml wax-sealed rum samples.
The individual selection is designed to showcase rum from different producers and regions.
However, HTFW's current product page does not publish a complete list of the twelve rums, and that is not necessarily a disadvantage.
Part of the appeal of an Advent calendar is discovering the contents as each door is opened.
It also means we would avoid publishing an unofficial list taken from an older edition, as Drinks by the Dram selections can change between calendars and years.
What is confirmed is that the set spans various regions rather than being devoted to one single distillery or country.
That makes it very different from a brand-specific rum gift pack.
This is intended as a broader exploration of the category.
Why Choose a 12 Day Rum Advent Calendar?
The rise of 24 and 25-day alcohol Advent calendars has created ever larger Christmas tasting sets.
They can be brilliant.
But they are not necessarily ideal for everyone.
A 12-day calendar offers several practical advantages.
Less Pressure to Drink Every Day
A full 24-day calendar encourages one tasting every night from 1 December until Christmas Eve.
For some people, that is simply more alcohol than they want to consume during the month.
Twelve drams can instead be spaced out.
One every other evening.
A few each weekend.
Or saved for the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas.
The calendar should be treated as a collection of tasting measures rather than an obligation to consume alcohol on twelve consecutive days.
Lower Purchase Price
The Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar is currently £59.95 at HTFW.
By comparison, HTFW currently lists the 24 Days of Rum Black Edition Advent Calendar at £79.95.
That makes the 12-day option a more accessible entry into premium spirits calendars.
Larger Individual Samples Than Some 24-Day Calendars
The Premium Rum calendar contains 3cl samples.
The 24 Days of Rum Black Edition contains 2cl bottles.
So while the Black Edition contains twice as many individual rums, the Premium 12 Day Calendar gives a larger measure for each tasting.
Easier to Share
Twelve 3cl samples also lend themselves well to a two-person tasting.
Split a dram between two glasses and two people can work through the calendar together without opening full bottles.
Premium Rum 12 Day Calendar vs 24 Days of Rum Black Edition
HTFW currently carries both options, making this one of the most useful comparisons for anyone choosing a rum Advent calendar for Christmas 2026.
Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar
12 rums
3cl each
36cl total
41.1% listed ABV
£59.95 at the time of writing.
Shop Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar.
24 Days of Rum Black Edition
24 rums
2cl each
48cl total
41.3% listed ABV
£79.95 at the time of writing.
Shop 24 Days of Rum Black Edition.
Which is better depends on the recipient.
Choose the 12 Day Premium Rum Calendar if you want a lower price, larger individual drams and a shorter tasting experience.
Choose the 24 Days of Rum Black Edition if the full daily December countdown is the priority and you want twice as many different rum discoveries.
Is 3cl Enough for a Proper Rum Tasting?
Yes.
A 3cl measure is well suited to tasting.
It provides enough spirit to:
Examine the aroma.
Take an initial neat sip.
Return to the glass after a few minutes.
Potentially experiment with a few drops of water.
And still have enough left to compare different flavours as the rum develops.
The key is not to treat the miniature like a shot.
Premium rum benefits from time in the glass.
Pour the full dram into a suitable tasting glass, allow it to settle briefly and approach it in the same way you would a full-sized premium bottle.
The fact that Drinks by the Dram uses 30ml samples is central to its tasting-set concept.
How to Taste Each Rum
A rum Advent calendar becomes much more interesting when approached as an actual tasting rather than simply twelve drinks.
1. Look at the Colour
Rum can range dramatically in appearance.
Clear.
Pale gold.
Deep amber.
Mahogany.
Colour alone cannot tell you exactly how old a rum is or how it was produced, but it gives an immediate first impression before tasting.
2. Smell Before Drinking
Bring the glass towards the nose gradually.
Look for broad groups of aromas:
Fruit: banana, pineapple, orange, mango, raisins or dried fruit.
Sweetness: vanilla, caramel, molasses, brown sugar or honey.
Oak: wood, toast, cocoa, coffee or tobacco.
Spice: cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, pepper or ginger.
Other character: grassy cane notes, esters, funk, smoke or maritime influences.
3. Take a Small First Sip
The first sip often tells you more about alcoholic strength than flavour.
Allow the palate to adjust.
Then return for another taste.
4. Add Water If Needed
A few drops can help higher-strength rum open up.
There is no requirement to dilute every sample.
Experiment.
5. Take Notes
Even a few words are enough.
Sweet.
Dry.
Fruity.
Funky.
Spicy.
Heavy.
Light.
Favourite.
Would buy a bottle.
By the end of twelve tastings, patterns begin to appear in what you actually enjoy.
What Styles of Rum Could You Discover?
HTFW does not publish the exact twelve-bottle line-up on the current calendar page, so specific contents should remain a surprise.
But the wider world of rum is remarkably varied.
A broad tasting can potentially expose drinkers to differences created by:
- Country of origin
- Molasses versus sugarcane juice
- Pot versus column distillation
- Tropical versus continental maturation
- Cask type
- Age
- Fermentation
- Blending
- Alcohol strength
That is why rum works particularly well in a tasting calendar.
Two bottles labelled simply "rum" can taste completely different.
One might be light, clean and vanilla-driven.
Another could be intensely fruity and funky.
Another might focus on old oak, dried fruit and spice.
The Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar provides the opportunity to explore those differences without buying twelve full-sized bottles.
Rum Is More Diverse Than Many Drinkers Expect
For newcomers, rum is sometimes reduced to three basic categories:
White.
Dark.
Spiced.
The reality is considerably more complicated.
Rum is made across the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond. Drinks by the Dram specifically highlights the global nature of rum tasting, with producers operating everywhere from traditional Caribbean sugarcane regions to countries much further afield.
Production traditions vary just as dramatically.
Jamaican rum can deliver powerful ester-driven fruit.
Barbadian rum may balance pot and column still character.
Spanish-influenced styles can lean towards smoothness and oak.
Rhum agricole places greater emphasis on fresh sugarcane juice.
Modern independent producers continue to expand those boundaries further.
A mixed calendar is useful precisely because it avoids locking the drinker into a single interpretation.
Is the Premium Rum Calendar Good for Beginners?
Yes.
In many ways, a tasting calendar makes more sense for a beginner than buying a single expensive bottle.
Someone new to rum may not yet know whether they prefer:
Rich aged rum.
Lighter styles.
High-ester character.
Sweeter profiles.
Dryer oak influence.
Or more unusual cane spirits.
Buying twelve full bottles to find out would be expensive.
Twelve miniature tastings offer a much easier route.
The only thing a beginner needs is curiosity.
There is no requirement to understand every distillation method or production term before starting.
Taste first.
Learn what you enjoy.
Then explore those styles in more depth.
Is It Good for Experienced Rum Drinkers?
It can be equally useful for established rum fans.
The appeal simply changes.
A beginner uses the calendar to discover the category.
An experienced drinker uses it to discover new producers and individual bottlings.
Even someone with a substantial rum collection is unlikely to have tasted everything available internationally.
The miniature format creates a low-commitment way to encounter bottles that might otherwise never make it into the home bar.
For enthusiasts, the best moments often come when an unfamiliar dram becomes the unexpected favourite of the calendar.
Is a Rum Advent Calendar a Good Christmas Gift?
For a rum drinker, it is considerably more interactive than simply giving another bottle.
A normal bottle provides one spirit.
The Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar provides twelve separate reveals and tasting experiences.
That makes it especially suitable for:
- Rum enthusiasts
- Home-bar owners
- Cocktail fans
- Someone starting to explore premium rum
- Christmas gifts for partners
- Gifts for parents
- Gifts for friends
- Secret Santa where the budget allows
- Couples who enjoy tasting together
The presentation is also explicitly listed as gift packaging, making it ready to function as a Christmas present rather than simply a collection of loose miniatures.
Rum Advent Calendar as a Gift for Him or Her
Rum Advent calendars are commonly searched as Christmas gifts for him, but there is nothing inherently gendered about the product.
The much better question is whether the recipient enjoys rum.
If they do, a twelve-dram tasting experience provides more variety than simply guessing which full bottle they might like.
That can be especially useful when buying for an enthusiast.
Serious spirits drinkers often already own their favourites.
Giving them twelve opportunities to discover something unfamiliar can make for a much more interesting present.
When Should You Start a 12 Day Advent Calendar?
There is no rule.
Several approaches work.
13 December to Christmas Eve
Open one door each night for the final twelve nights before Christmas.
Every Other Day From 1 December
This stretches the experience through most of Advent.
The Traditional Twelve Days of Christmas
Start on Christmas Day and continue after 25 December.
Weekends
Save the calendar for December weekends and turn each opening into a longer tasting session.
Share It
Two people could open several rums together over a handful of evenings.
The shorter format gives the owner more freedom than a conventional 24-door calendar.
Should You Drink One Every Day?
Not necessarily.
An alcohol Advent calendar does not require daily drinking.
The samples can be opened whenever you choose.
Save them.
Share them.
Taste several side-by-side on another date.
Or keep unopened drams to revisit after Christmas.
The countdown format is part of the fun, not an instruction to consume alcohol every day.
Can You Share the Rum Advent Calendar?
Absolutely.
Each miniature contains 3cl, making it possible to divide the sample between two people for a smaller comparative tasting.
A shared approach can actually make the calendar more interesting.
Two people can taste the same dram independently, compare impressions and score each rum before revealing what the other thought.
By the end, you can create your own ranking of all twelve.
That turns the calendar into a social tasting experience rather than simply an individual Christmas gift.
Try a Blind Rum Tasting
One of the best ways to use the calendar is to avoid researching each rum before tasting it.
Open the door.
Pour the dram.
Taste it.
Write down your impressions.
Only then investigate the producer and style.
This reduces the influence of:
Brand reputation.
Price.
Age statement.
Country.
Packaging.
Online scores.
A prestigious name might finish surprisingly low.
A completely unfamiliar rum might become the favourite.
That is part of the value of tasting through miniatures.
Create Your Own 12-Rum Ranking
A simple scoring system makes the experience more memorable.
Give each rum a score for:
Nose – /10
Palate – /10
Finish – /10
Overall – /10
You can then rank all twelve when the calendar is complete.
More useful still, note whether you would buy a full bottle.
A rum can be technically impressive without being something you personally want to drink regularly.
Your favourite of the calendar becomes the obvious candidate for a future purchase.
Explore the wider rum range at Hard To Find Whisky once you've identified the styles you enjoy.
Premium Rum Calendar vs a Normal Bottle of Rum
At £59.95, the calendar sits in territory where you could instead buy one good full-sized bottle of rum.
So which makes more sense?
Buy One Full Bottle If:
You already know exactly what the recipient drinks.
You want maximum liquid volume.
They have a favourite producer.
The gift is intended for cocktails or regular drinking.
Buy the Advent Calendar If:
Discovery matters.
You do not know their exact favourite rum.
They enjoy tasting different spirits.
You want the gift to last across multiple occasions.
The Christmas presentation matters.
Neither option is inherently better.
They serve different purposes.
The Advent calendar is primarily about variety and experience.
12 Day vs 24 Day Rum Advent Calendar: Which Should You Buy?
This will probably be the main decision for many shoppers.
Choose 12 Days If:
You want to spend around £60 rather than £80+.
You prefer 3cl samples.
You do not want an alcoholic tasting every day in December.
The recipient is new to rum.
You want a compact Christmas tasting experience.
Choose 24 Days If:
The full countdown is part of the appeal.
Variety is the priority.
The recipient is a serious rum enthusiast.
You want more individual countries, producers or styles to explore.
For the longer format, HTFW currently stocks the 24 Days of Rum Black Edition Advent Calendar.
You can also browse the complete HTFW Alcohol Advent Calendar collection for whisky, rum, gin and mixed-spirit options.
Other Rum Advent Calendars at HTFW
The Premium Rum 12 Day Calendar is not the only option.
24 Days of Rum Black Edition
The 24 Days of Rum Black Edition contains 24 x 2cl samples and is currently listed at £79.95.
HTFW has also published a full guide to the 24 Days of Rum Black Edition.
24 Days of Rum Mocha Edition
The 24 Days of Rum 2025 Mocha Edition provides another 24-day option and is currently listed alongside the Black Edition at £79.95.
25 Day Rum Advent Calendar
HTFW also stocks longer 25-day rum calendars, giving buyers the option of continuing the countdown through Christmas Day itself.
Spiced Rum Advent Calendar
For drinkers who specifically prefer vanilla, caramel and warming spice, HTFW also lists a Spiced Rum Advent Calendar.
The wider selection can be found through Alcohol Advent Calendars at HTFW.
How Much Is the Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar?
At the time of writing, the Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar costs £59.95 at Hard To Find Whisky and is shown as in stock.
That works out at twelve individual premium rum tasting experiences within one gift presentation.
Prices and availability can change, particularly as Christmas approaches, so buyers should check the live page before ordering.
Check the latest Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar price and availability.
When Should You Buy a Rum Advent Calendar?
Earlier is usually safer.
Alcohol Advent calendars are seasonal products.
Unlike standard bottles that may be replenished throughout the year, individual calendar editions are produced for a particular festive period and can disappear once their available stock has sold.
As of 12 August 2026, HTFW currently shows the Premium Rum 12 Day Calendar as in stock.
Buying before December also gives you more flexibility if it is intended as a gift.
There is little benefit in waiting until the first Advent door is supposed to be opened if the calendar is already the one you want.
Where Can You Buy a Rum Advent Calendar Online?
The Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar is available online from Hard To Find Whisky.
HTFW currently lists the calendar at £59.95, containing 12 x 3cl rum miniatures at a listed 41.1% ABV.
Buy the Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar.
For more options, browse:
and the wider rum collection at Hard To Find Whisky.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rums are in the Premium Rum Advent Calendar?
There are 12 different rum samples.
How big is each rum?
Each miniature contains 3cl / 30ml.
How much rum is there altogether?
The twelve 3cl samples provide 36cl in total.
What ABV is the Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar?
HTFW currently lists the set at 41.1% ABV. Individual rums within a mixed tasting selection may have their own strengths, so the information printed on each dram should be checked when opened.
Are the bottles glass miniatures?
HTFW classifies the contents as miniature bottles with wax seals.
Are all twelve rums the same?
No. The calendar contains a different rum behind each door, sourced from producers around the world.
Does HTFW reveal all twelve rums?
The current product page does not publish a complete contents list, helping retain the surprise.
How much does it cost?
HTFW currently lists the calendar at £59.95.
Is it in stock?
Yes, HTFW shows it as in stock at the time of writing.
Is it a 2026 rum Advent calendar?
The calendar is currently available from HTFW for the 2026 Christmas shopping season. The product itself is sold under the general Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar name rather than carrying 2026 prominently in its product title.
Is there a 24-day alternative?
Yes. HTFW currently offers the 24 Days of Rum Black Edition with 24 x 2cl samples.
Is the Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar Worth Buying?
For the right rum drinker, the concept makes a lot of sense.
A full bottle gives you more liquid.
The calendar gives you more discovery.
Twelve doors mean twelve chances to encounter a different producer or rum style without committing to twelve full bottles.
The 3cl measures are also large enough for a genuine tasting rather than simply a tiny sip.
And the 12-day format hits a useful middle ground.
It is more substantial than a basic miniature gift set but more manageable – and currently less expensive – than many 24 or 25-day spirits calendars.
For a newcomer, it can function as an introduction to premium rum.
For an enthusiast, it can uncover something unfamiliar.
For a couple, it can become a shared tasting.
And as a Christmas gift, it provides twelve separate experiences rather than a single moment when a bottle is unwrapped.
Final Thoughts
The Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar is a simple idea executed in a way that makes sense for serious spirits drinkers.
Twelve doors.
Twelve different rums.
Twelve 3cl wax-sealed samples drawn from producers around the world.
The shorter format is arguably its strongest feature.
Not everyone wants 24 consecutive evenings of spirits tasting.
With twelve drams, the owner can determine the pace.
Open one every other night.
Save them for weekends.
Share them.
Conduct a blind tasting.
Or enjoy the Twelve Days of Christmas literally.
At £59.95 at the time of writing, it also provides an accessible alternative to the larger rum Advent calendars currently available through HTFW.
For anyone searching for a rum Advent calendar 2026, 12 day rum Advent calendar, premium rum Advent calendar, rum Christmas present or simply an unusual gift for somebody who enjoys exploring new spirits, this is an easy option to consider.
Buy the Premium Rum 12 Day Advent Calendar at Hard To Find Whisky.
Or compare it with the 24 Days of Rum Black Edition and explore the complete Alcohol Advent Calendar collection at HTFW.
