With the festive period now right around the corner, there’s a good chance that in a few weeks’ time, many of you whisky lovers will be waking up to a pile of whisky-related gifts under the tree (as long as you’ve been good this year, that is). 

Now, as well as your favourite bottles of GreatDrams whisky, another solid whisky gift that’s guaranteed to go down a treat at anytime of the year is a whisky hip flask. I personally am a big fan of hip flasks and have used more than my fair share over the years. Because of this, I’d like to think that I’ve learned a thing or two about them. 

Believe it or not, but there are certain Dos and Don’ts when it comes to hip flasks, which is what I want to talk to you about today. In order to get the most from your hip flasks, and of course, to give the whisky the respect it deserves, it’s important to use and maintain your hip flask properly. 

To help you do precisely that, here is the GreatDrams guide to whisky hip flasks. 

A Brief History of the Hip Flask

Don’t worry, I won’t be giving you a long-winded, boring history lesson about the ancient origins of the hip flask, but I do want to cover the basics. 

Hip flasks are not a new invention, in fact, they can be traced all the way back to Medieval times, and perhaps as early as the Stone Age. Interestingly, they used to be fitted with rings at the base of the neck, to allow a chain or string to be threaded through so that they could be worn on a riding saddle, or even around the neck. 

The hip flasks that we know and love today however, first became popular during the 18th century. They began to come into fashion during Georgian times, though it was during the Victorian era that they really came into their own. They were seen as a status symbol and were the ultimate gentleman’s accessory. 

Hip flasks were not only seen as status symbols, they also served practical uses. A gentleman would fill his flask with his favourite dram so as to keep him warm while fishing, shooting, hiking, hunting, or enjoying a round of golf. They were typically made from silver, as this helped keep the booze inside fresh, and didn’t impart a metallic taste like other metals. Some however, also featured glass so you could see how much whisky you had left before you needed a top up. 

What I love about them, is that not much has changed, in terms of both the design, and the reasons why they’re used. Having said that, as well as helping to warm your soul on a cold and dismal winter’s day, hip flasks are now also very popular gifts around Christmas, birthdays, weddings, and other special celebrations. 

5 Tips for Using Your Whisky Hip Flask Correctly

Okay, that’s the history lesson over with, so now let’s get to the good stuff and take a look at how to get the most from your hip flask and the whisky stored within. 

Choose the Right Materials 

Up first, I want to talk to you about the importance of choosing the right materials for your hip flasks. 

Hip flasks are very desirable and fashionable. Because of this, they’re typically made from materials deemed luxurious and upmarket. Basically, they’re posh! When choosing a whisky hip flask, you’ll be spoiled for choice in terms of materials, but it’s still important that you do your research. 

If you want a rugged, hard-wearing, durable hip flask, perhaps for camping, hiking, or wet weekends fishing in the countryside, stainless steel hip flasks are your best bet. They’re not as elegant or upmarket as some of the other choices out there, but they’re rust-resistant, sturdy, durable, and are built to last. 

If you want a more elegant and refined hip flask, perhaps for weddings or other special occasions, silver or pewter are ideal. These not only look sophisticated and suave, they also engrave very well and are ideal for personalisation. 

As you have probably noticed, it gets pretty chilly here in the UK, so if you’re worried about cold metal in your hands, I can wholeheartedly recommend a leather-clad hip flask. 

As for plastic hip flasks? Don’t even get me started. What I will say, though, is to avoid them like the plague. Like reality TV, (other than The Traitors) I don’t really think they should be a thing, but sadly, they are. 

Clean Your Hip Flask Correctly 

When it comes to food and drink hygiene, you can’t take any chances. This includes whisky, and other spirts too for that matter. This is why it’s so important to clean your hip flask regularly, and correctly. 

Far too many people assume that a quick rinse with cold water is enough to clean a hip flask, as they assume that the alcohol will sterilise the inside. This is unfortunately not true. 

Before you fill your flask, make sure to clean the inside, and the cap, with boiling water. Drain it properly and ensure it’s completely dry before you fill it. This will help prevent bacteria from forming and will help ensure your whisky tastes its best. 

Never use washing up liquid as this will taint the whisky and as far as I’m concerned, soap isn’t a whisky note that people go crazy for. If you do want to clean and sterilise your flask, rinse with boiling water, followed by a watered-down white vinegar solution. Afterwards, rinse again, and again, with boiling water to ensure you remove all of the vinegar. 

Don’t Leave Spirits in for Too Long 

Hip flasks don’t contain much whisky, so really, there’s no reason to leave whisky, or any other spirits, in them for a long time. 

In order to keep the whisky fresh, and tasting and smelling its best, try not to leave it in your hip flask for longer than 5 days. Anything longer could hinder its character and could even potentially pose health and safety risks. 

Choose the Right Occasions 

Different occasions call for different hip flasks. A huge wedding celebration for example, calls for a luxurious, classy, well-designed hip flask, completed with personalised engraving. Like we looked at earlier, pewter and silver are great choices. 

On the other side of the coin, if you’re away with the lads on a fishing trip in the Highlands, you’ll want a sturdy, sterile, durable hip flask that can withstand the elements and take some punishment. 

There’s a hip flask for all occasions, so do your research and find one that’s right for you. 

Choose the Right Drams 

Finally, after deciding on which hip flask to go with, you face the tough decision of deciding which whisky to fill it with. 

So, what is the right dram for a hip flask? Well, in truth, the best dram is the one which you enjoy the most. This could be a smoky peat bomb from Islay, a heavily sherried Speyside, any number of the award-winning whiskies found on the GreatDrams whisky shop, or anything else that takes your fancy. 

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you could even do something as shocking as filling your hip flask with something other than whisky! I know, crazy, right?  

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.