There are plenty of times when a tot of whisky or rum (or our favourite, the sweet kick of sloe gin) hits the spot: from warming the cockles on a bracing winter walk, performing a pick-me-up at an evening outdoor event, or providing some Dutch courage when out hunting or fishing.
By far the most practical way of sipping on the go is to partake in crafty swigs from a hip flask, portable booze vestibule designed to comfortably nestle in a pocket.
Some hip flasks are designed with a particular purpose in mind, but most are simply booze-filled fashion accessories – a flash of the right flask emphasising your style to those with whom you’re sharing swigs. With that in mind we’ve found a range of 10 fantastic flasks – for whether you’re out to bag a pheasant or watching the setting sun before crawling into a tent – you just need to pick the booze to fill them with.
1. Royal Selangor Erik Magnussen Hipflask, 160ml: £99, John Lewis
Posh pewter specialist Royal Selangor worked with renowned Danish designer Erik Magnussen to produce this sleek decanter, earning him the 1991 Design Plus Award at the Frankfurter International Gift Fair. Its classy, minimal style provides a contemporary take on the traditional hip flask look, with the inset lid being both visually appealing and practical for pouring. A winning design that maintains its modern good looks today.
2. Nikka From The Barrel Hip Flask Set, 500ml: £55.45, The Whisky Exchange
Nikka has produced multi-award-winning tipples that prove great whisky doesn’t need to be made in Scotland. And it’s also turned out a fine hip flask to drink it from. Styled on the bottle that partners it in this pack, the brushed steel container even has the label design etched into its surface, a constant reminder of what to fill it with. A quality booze ‘n’ flask double at a good price, it’s a handsome gift choice for any wandering whisky fan.
3. Bar Craft Hip Flask, 170ml: £8.09, Harts of Stur
The most common hip flask features are all addressed in Bar Craft’s bargain bottle. Made from dishwasher-safe polished stainless steel, it has gentle curves for pocket comfort and has a screw top with lanyard attachment to prevent losing it during late-night fumbling. It’s this classic design that features in most of the leather and cloth-clad flasks on the market, and this one is notably cheap as a result of its nakedness.
4. Harris Tweed Black Watch Hip Flask, 170ml: £19.95, That British Tweed Company
It can get a bit nippy in the Outer Hebrides, the home of Harris Tweed. So cold, they even tuck their hip flasks up in a hand woven coat. The stainless steel, flip-top flask’s woolly liveries come in a range of natty colours, from shocking pink herringbone to a more stately Black Watch tartan, each trimmed in hand-cut leather.
5. Ettinger Saira Hunjan Hip Flask, 170ml: £150, Ettinger
One of the world’s leading tattoo artists, Saira Hunjan (aka The Girl With the Golden Needle), has exchanged human skin for tanned rawhide on behalf of leatherware ace Ettinger. A classic stainless steel flask resides in soft golden leather with an Orientally inspired fox design etched into its surface. At £150 it’s not an everyday purchase, so consider it a work of art and be sure to carry it in your most secure coat pocket.
6. Kikkerland Leather Hip Flask, 200ml: £16, John Lewis
This cylindrical stainless steel vessel from the designer Kikkerland has been encased in brown leather, giving it the look of a miniature soup flask. Unpop the lid to reveal two supping cups – too small for minestrone, but the perfect size for a shot of scotch – meaning you can share the booze with your mate without having to drink from the same spout.
7. Aspinal of London Double Hip Flask, 170ml: £85, House of Fraser
Luxury leather goods maker Aspinal of London has conjured this two-in-one flask set for drinking companions to share. A black leather case, with cobalt suede lining, houses matching, steel screw-topped bottles, each kept in place with their own popper, allowing you to remove one at a time. Did we mention sharing? Of course you could fill with two different boozes and keep them both to yourself…
8. Stanley Pocket Hip Flask, 230ml: £25, Blacks
Stanley’s retro-looking green hip flask has established itself as the backpacker’s flask of choice. Its slim, utilitarian design and tough stainless steel body is as suited to the rough and tumble of a rucksack as a snug trouser pocket. The wide mouth and secure lid make it easy for filling with a shot of hot coffee, but after a hard day’s hiking we prefer a stronger liquid reward.
9. English Pewter Company, 4oz Pewter Hip Flask: £27, English Pewter
Pewter’s use as a kitchenware material dates back to the Bronze Age and, while glass and porcelain have usurped it for the majority of modern applications, it’s still a mighty fine material for hip flasks. Although highly durable, it’s softer than most metals, giving in an extra gloss that naturally improves from being polished by your pocket. This circular flask shows off the material at its best, those smooth shiny curves feel like they’re purposefully crafted to nestle in your own paw. Pewter may be an old material, but with this flask it’s hip to be round. Add text engraving for an extra £6.
10. Wildon Home Diamond Hip Flask, 170ml: £18.49, Wayfair
Some folk prefer to swig from the hip in secret, but those less shy about their flask-toting antics can add some bling to the act. An encrusted, diamoned-esque design covers the standard steel flask and comes with two matching cups, which sparkle under party lights or a setting sun. A touch of boozy glamour for a late night celebratory toast. Cheers!
The Verdict: Hip flasks
For anyone simply wanting a decent flask at a good price, you’ll find it hard to beat Bar Craft’s design standard. But if you prefer to serve your precious whisky from something a little more elegant then Royal Selangor’s Erik Magnussen Hip Flask will have you swigging in style.
Nick Moyle is one half of the Two Thirsty Gardeners. Their book, Brew it Yourself, is out now
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