If you enjoy an occasional drop of whiskey, then the whiskey glass truly will increase your enjoyment of the drink. The whiskey glass is shaped to enhance your experience of nosing, or smelling, the aroma of the whiskey, as well as its taste.
In this article, we look at the three main types of glasses used for drinking whiskey and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each. We also review a range of different types of whiskey glasses to assist you in selecting the best whiskey glass for your preferred drink; be it whiskey or whisky!Best Pick
Our Best Pick is the contemporary design and lead-free Venero Crystal set of four whiskey glasses which are dishwasher safe and come in a presentation box.
Budget Pick
Our Budget Pick is the Glencairn set of four whisky glasses made from lead-free crystal and designed for maximum appreciation of fine whiskey.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Whiskey Glasses
1. Venero Crystal Set of Four Whiskey Glasses
Highlighted Features
The Venero Crystal set of four whiskey glasses are 10 fl. oz glasses with thick walls and heavy weighted bases. These lead-free crystal glasses have a contemporary design, are dishwasher safe and come in a satin-lined presentation box. These glasses have a satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime limited warranty.
Some recent buyers have received this set without the presentation box, which has made it unsuitable for gifting. As with any glass, there can also be a risk of damage during shipping and an odd number of buyers have not been as keen on the tapered base of these glasses.Pros
Cons
2. Glencairn Set of Four Whisky Glasses
Highlighted Features
Made from lead-free crystal, the Glencairn set of four whisky glasses are shorter 6 fl. oz glasses with a tapering mouth to allow ease of drinking while retaining aroma. These also have a wide bowl to appreciate the color of the whiskey and allow you to warm and swirl the whiskey easily in your hand. These glasses are dishwasher safe.
As smaller glasses, these are only suitable for lower volumes, so are not great for those who prefer to dilute well or serve whiskey with plenty of ice. A number of buyers have also experienced the four set being delivered in a six box – with two gaps - which may cause problems if the set is being given as a gift.Pros
Cons
3. Norlan Set of Two Whisky Glasses
Highlighted Features
The modern design Norlan set of two whisky glasses were refined with a master distiller and these double-walled glasses are made from handblown borosilicate glass. The outer rim is concave to better fit the mouth and when the whiskey in the glass is swirled, the rate of oxidation increases to allow more ethanol to evaporate. This means the reduction in volatility allows the whiskey to become more expressive. These glasses have a total capacity of 6.9 fl. oz and also come with a microfiber polishing cloth.
As double walled glasses, these are more fragile than typical whiskey glasses and as they are lighter in weight some owners also consider that they look and feel more like budget glasses. The odd buyer has also experienced fogging between the walls, even when the glasses have been handwashed. The manufacturer also recommends that you do not use ice or whiskey stones in these glasses.Pros
Cons
4. Gmark Set of 12 Whiskey Shot Glasses
Highlighted Features
The Gmark set of 12 whiskey shot glasses are 2 fl. oz glasses with heavy bases and European styling. These shot glasses are dishwasher safe and made from high quality lead-free glass. As well as using for shots, these glasses are ideal for espressos, wine tastings, desserts and other uses.
As with any glass, there can be a risk of shipping damage and each glass actually holds 3 fl. oz capacity rather than just 2 fl. oz. Some buyers have also commented that the glass looks smoky-colored when advertised, however they are just traditional clear glass.Pros
Cons
5. Maketh The Man Set of Two Whiskey Glasses
Highlighted Features
Made from lead-free crystal, the Maketh The Man set of two whiskey glasses have an Art Deco-inspired European design. These glasses hold 10 fl. oz, allowing room for ice, whiskey stones or water. These have heavier bases for stability and can be placed in the dishwasher, although hand washing is recommended. This pair of glasses comes in a luxury presentation box along with a satisfaction guarantee.
The quality control on some of the glasses may not be as good as you would expect, and as larger squared glasses, they will not suit all tastes.Pros
Cons
6. Mofado Premium Whiskey Glasses
Highlighted Features
Made with handblown lead-free crystal, the Mofado set of two whiskey glasses are oversized and hold 12 fl. oz. These seamless and heavier glasses are a classic design with a weighted bottom and will accommodate larger ice cubes and whiskey stones. These glasses also come with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee and are wrapped in premium gift packaging.
Some glasses can contain air bubbles and a few buyers have experienced these glasses spontaneously breaking; especially when the glass contains ice. As these are handblown, there can also be noticeable differences between two glasses in a set. As larger and heavy glasses these will not be suitable for all drinkers, particularly those who have smaller hands.Pros
Cons
7. Bavel Rock Style Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses
Highlighted Features
The rocks style Bavel set of six whiskey glasses hold 11 fl. oz and are made from lead-free crystal. These seamless glasses have a sleek and modern shape with heavier bases and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. They also come in a gift box.
These whiskey glasses may not be as durable as expected and can be prone to breaking when cleaned in the dishwasher. As these are heavier glasses, not all users will find them comfortable to drink from.Pros
Cons
8. Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glass
Highlighted Features
Made in the US, the Taylor’d Milestones set of two whiskey glasses are made from dishwasher safe and lead-free glass. These 10.5 fl. oz glasses have weighted bases and are shaped to allow air to release locked aromas and concentrate them at the top of the glass. These are also resistant to scratching, chipping and breakage and come with a broken glass guarantee.
Some buyers have received glasses from a different manufacturer and there can be a risk of these glasses being crooked at the base. These glasses no longer carry the manufacturer’s etching on the bottom which some buyers have been disappointed with.Pros
Cons
9. Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses
Highlighted Features
Made from lead-free glass, the Dragon Glassware set of two whiskey glasses are diamond-shaped glasses at a unique spill-proof 50 degree angle which allows the whiskey to aerate as it is poured and swirled in the glass. These California-designed glasses are dishwasher, freezer and refrigerator safe and come in a gift box. These 10 fl. oz glasses also come with a money back guarantee and a one year limited warranty.
Some buyers are disappointed with the weight of these glasses and consider they are too light for drinking whiskey. Others consider that the opening of the glasses are too small for drinks such as cocktails.Pros
Cons
10. Red Rocks Set of Four Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses
Highlighted Features
The 10 fl. oz Red Rocks set of four old fashioned whiskey glasses also come with six granite chilling stones. These are dishwasher safe glasses that will not discolor, cloud or etch for the life of the glass. These glasses are square shaped at the base and move to rounded around the top of the glass. They also have heavier bases for stability.
The square base makes it a little more awkward to mix/release aroma of a drink by swirling and some buyers have found that the chilling stones do not keep drinks as cold as expected. An odd buyer has also commented that they would have preferred the base to be a little more weighted.Pros
Cons
Things to Consider Before Buying A Whiskey Glass
Whiskey usually means any whiskey produced outside of Scotland (with the exception of Canada), this includes American, Irish and Japanese whiskeys. Scotch whisky is always spelt without the ‘e’; as are some Canadian whiskies. Some whiskey glasses are named whisky glasses as they have been designed for Scotch whisky.
Always using a glass designed for whiskey will help you get the most out of a glass of whiskey, or indeed bourbon.
Scotland has been the largest producer of whisky for a century and 10% of its global sales are now single malts. The US is the largest importer of Scotch whisky and the second largest global producer of whiskey – producing 37 million cases of whiskey a year, followed by Canada, Ireland then Japan.
What to Look for When Selecting A Whiskey Glass
The curvature and shape of a whiskey glass is important for its nosing capability; or how well it allows you to nose or smell the whiskey contained within. The importance of the aroma of a good whiskey can never be underestimated.
The drinkability refers to how easy it is to drink from the glass. The shape of the glass, its thickness and its curve all affect the drinkability of a whiskey glass.
You should also think about how the glass will look when sitting on a shelf, on the table or in your hand. How the glass looks adds to your drinking experience. The design and patterns of the glass can also impact on your drinking experience; look at how easy it is to grip the glass, its size and weight. Whiskey should also have enough room to breathe.
Types of Whiskey Glasses
The tumbler/whiskey rocks is the common whiskey glass, used by many of us. With straight sides and a heavy base, this is a sturdy glass which is easy to drink from, but does not offer much nosing capability, as aroma soon escapes from the glass. The wider rim of this glass is ideal for adding ice and their larger capacity offers spare room to add water or mixers for whiskey cocktails.
Glencairn or snifter glass: This shorter glass has a weighted tulip shaped base which allows you to hold the glass to swirl and warm the whiskey to release aromas, as well as allowing you to visually appreciate the whiskey within. A Glencairn glass is best used for drinking whiskey neat, but be warned, it can take a little practice to get used to drinking from a Glencairn glass.
Also known as the Glencairn nosing glass, the Glencairn is commonly used in blending labs and distillery tastings in Scotland, and in fact, is the only glass endorsed by the Scotch Whisky Association. Although it has a 6 fl. oz capacity, a Glencairn should be used to hold a single or double measure of Scotch, or a few drams.
A dram is actually one eighth of a fluid ounce, but a dram is still used as an informal way to describe having a small amount of Scotch whisky. In Scotland, if a dram is requested from a bar, then a 0.85 fl. oz (25 ml) measure will usually be provided.
A tulip or Copita glass has a thin stem on a broad base which still allows you to cradle the glass in your hand to warm the whiskey. Based on a Spanish sherry glass design, the tulip is narrower at the top, allowing you to enjoy more of the aroma. Unfortunately, the shape of the tulip glass and its wider rim can cause whiskey to spill more easily. These glasses are best suited for drinking whiskey neat.
Conclusion
In this article, we looked at the importance of the shape of a whiskey glass and just how this can impact on your drinking experience, as well as considering why a whiskey glass should also look and feel good. We have also provided an overview of the main types of whiskey glass, the tumbler, the Glencairn and the tulip glass, and considered the advantages and disadvantages of each.
We hope you have enjoyed this article on whiskey glasses, and you now feel confident in choosing the best whiskey glass; whether you are looking for a gift for someone, or just for your own enjoyment.
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