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.
View on Amazon 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.
View on Amazon Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Whiskey Glasses Product Name Grade Venero Crystal Set of Four Whiskey Glasses A Glencairn Set of Four Whisky Glasses A Norlan Set of Two Whisky Glasses B+ Gmark Set of 12 Whiskey Shot Glasses A- Maketh The Man Set of Two Whiskey Glasses A Mofado Premium Whiskey Glasses B+ Bavel Rock Style Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses B+ Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glass A Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses A- Red Rocks Set of Four Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses A- 1. Venero Crystal Set of Four Whiskey Glasses View on Amazon Highlighted Features A set of four 10 fl. oz glasses made from lead-free crystal A contemporary design with thick walls and heavy weighted bases Have a satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime limited warranty Come with a presentation box Suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher
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 check Four 10 fl. oz glasses check Heavy bases check Lead-free crystal check Presentation box check Guarantee Cons check Not all buyers are keen on the tapered base design check There can be a risk of shipping damage check Some buyers can receive the glasses without a presentation box Check Latest Price on Amazon 2. Glencairn Set of Four Whisky Glasses View on Amazon Highlighted Features A set of four whiskey glasses with a 6 fl. oz capacity made with lead-free crystal These shorter glasses have a tapering mouth to retain aroma and a wide bowl to appreciate the whiskey color Can be cleaned in the dishwasher
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 check Four 6 fl. oz glasses check Lead-free crystal check Tapered mouth check Dishwasher safe Cons check As smaller glasses these are unsuitable if you want to add plenty of ice or dilute well check The set of four can be delivered in a box which takes six; not ideal for gifting Check Latest Price on Amazon 3. Norlan Set of Two Whisky Glasses View on Amazon Highlighted Features Two double-walled handblown borosilicate glass whiskey glasses with a modern design With a total capacity of 6.9 fl. oz and a concave outer rim to better fir the mouth Allows the whiskey to become more expressive These glasses come with a microfiber polishing cloth
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 check Two double-walled whiskey glasses check Hold 6.9 fl. oz check Handblown borosilicate glass check Design reduces volatility Cons check Manufacturer advises against using ice or whiskey stones in these glasses
check These are more fragile than standard whiskey glasses
check A small risk of experiencing some fogging between the walls
Check Latest Price on Amazon 4. Gmark Set of 12 Whiskey Shot Glasses View on Amazon Highlighted Features Set of 12 whiskey shot glasses that are also ideal for wine tastings, desserts, espressos and more 2 fl. oz glasses with a total capacity of 3 fl. oz Heavy-base glasses with European styling Made from high quality lead-free glass, these can be cleaned in the dishwasher
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 check 12 set of shot glasses check European style check Heavy bases check Lead-free glass check Dishwasher safe
Cons check Total capacity of each glass is 3 fl. oz capacity rather than 2 fl. oz check Some buyers have bought these thinking they are smoked glass, but they are clear check Can be a risk of some breakage during shipping Check Latest Price on Amazon 5. Maketh The Man Set of Two Whiskey Glasses View on Amazon Highlighted Features A pair of 10 fl. oz glasses with an Art-Deco inspired European design Made from lead-free crystal these come in a luxury presentation box Come with a satisfaction guarantee from the manufacturer These are dishwasher safe although hand washing is recommended
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 check Set of two 10 fl. oz glasses check Lead-free crystal check Heavy bases check Dishwasher safe check Presentation box Cons check As squared glasses, not all buyers will be as keen on the shape check Although dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended check The quality control is not always as good as it should be Check Latest Price on Amazon 6. Mofado Premium Whiskey Glasses View on Amazon Highlighted Features A set of two handblown oversized whiskey glasses made from lead-free crystal Seamless and heavy glasses with a 12 fl. oz capacity Have a classic design with a weighted bottom Come gift boxed and with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee
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
check Two 12 fl. oz whiskey glasses check Handblown check Lead-free crystal check Heavy base check Gift boxed Cons check Some glasses contain air bubbles check Can be a risk of some of these spontaneously shattering check Not all pairs will be ‘matching’ glasses check These are larger and heavy glasses so may not suit smaller hands Check Latest Price on Amazon 7. Bavel Rock Style Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses View on Amazon Highlighted Features Set of six 11 fl. oz rocks style whiskey glasses Seamless and made from lead-free crystal Modern shape with a heavier base Come packaged in a gift box Suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher
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 check Set of six 11 fl. oz glasses check Rocks style check Lead-free crystal check Seamless check Dishwasher safe Cons
check These are heavier glasses so not all drinkers will be as keen on them check Although dishwasher safe, they can be prone to breaking in the dishwasher check May not be as durable as other whiskey glasses Check Latest Price on Amazon 8. Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glass View on Amazon Highlighted Features Pair of two 10.5 fl. oz whiskey glasses Lead-free and dishwasher safe glass Shaped to concentrate aromas at the top of the glass and have weighted bases Coming with a broken glass guarantee, these are scratch, chip and break resistant
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 check Made in the US check Two 10.5 fl. oz whiskey glasses check Weighted base check Scratch resistant check Guarantee Cons check Some of these glasses can be crooked at the base check These no longer carry manufacturer etchings on the base check There is a small risk of receiving glasses from a different manufacturer Check Latest Price on Amazon 9. Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses View on Amazon Highlighted Features Californian-designed diamond-shaped glasses at a spill-proof 50 degree angle Shape allows whiskey to aerate as it is poured and swirled in the glass This pair of 10 fl. oz glasses come in a gift box Dishwasher, freezer and refrigerator safe Have a money back guarantee and one year limited warranty
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 check Two spill-proof angled glasses check 10 fl. oz capacity check Lead-free glass check Diamond shaped check Gift boxed check Guarantee Cons check The opening of the glass may be too small for other types of drinks check You may be disappointed with these if you prefer a heavier whiskey glass Check Latest Price on Amazon 10. Red Rocks Set of Four Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses View on Amazon Highlighted Features Set of four whiskey rocks/tumblers with six granite chilling stones These 10 fl. oz glasses are squared at the heavy base and move to rounded at the top Dishwasher safe and will not cloud, etch or discolor during their lifespan
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 check Pair of whiskey rocks glasses check Come with six chilling stones check 10 fl. oz capacity check Heavy bases check Dishwasher safe Cons check The square base of these glasses can make it more awkward to swirl check Some owners would prefer that the bases were heavier check The chilling stones may not work as well as expected Check Latest Price on Amazon 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.
The post The 10 Best Whiskey Glasses for Experiencing Good Whiskey appeared first on Food Shark Marfa .
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