Novices may scoff when you lovingly replace their highball glasses with a snifter, but watch their eyes light up as they sip and prepare to feel a little smug. Because a good whiskey glass can change the whole experience, from the aromas and flavours to the overall enjoyment of the spirit. You can find barware in nearly every shape and size as well as double-walled, adorned with etchings, monograms, bejeweled, patterned crystal, or even colorful glass. But keep in mind that crystal, Murano glass, or anything with a metallic rim likely won’t be as easy to care for as types of whiskey glasses that are a little less precious. A bit fancier, crystal is a type of glass that adds a bit of sparkle to any drink, and the material allows the maker to craft more intricate designs.
The lip, on the other hand, features thinner glass conducive to sipping. The brim is sometimes tapered to fit the contours of the lower lip for more comfortable drinking. Tumblers are larger and heavier than other glasses, weighing a pound or more empty. Snifters are reminiscent of wine glasses, with a bulbous shape and thinner, more delicate glass, and may weigh 4 ounces or less. Snifters are bowl-shaped and designed to be cradled in your palm.
It’s shape was crafted specifically to bring out the best in traditional spirits — namely scotch and single malts — and is marked by an extended tulip shape with a stout-yet-sturdy base. If you like your whisky peated and you don’t own a Glencairn glass, it’s time to change that. In fact, whatever kind of whiskey you like the most, you should still probably own one or two of these.
Because there is a wide, often heavy, base, it is perfect for muddling ingredients, which is why it is great for an Old Fashioned. They generally range from 6-12 ounces, making them significantly bigger than the Glencairn or the copita. Also known as an Old Fashioned glass , it’s the do-it-all class for whiskey-based cocktails. Add ice, your favorite whiskey, and any other ingredients you want, stir it up and you have makings of a great evening. Or, simply pour your favorite bourbon, rye, or Scotch over a single ice cube and put your feet up and relax.
This is definitely the most common scotch whiskey glasses and they were the first whiskey glasses we owned. I felt quite sophisticated using one when I was in law school. This glass has a wide rim making it easy to add ice to your drink, but it is not the best rim for nosing a whiskey.
They’re dishwasher safe, hold up to 10 ounces, and, the best part, come at an unbeatable price. Our tester found the glasses could handle a large portion of ice for all your old-fashioneds, Boulevardiers, and Manhattans on the rocks. They’re also big enough to accommodate a beefy rock if you prefer to use large single cubes whisky decanter crystal with those mixed drinks. “The perfect glassware is vital to providing the perfect guest experience. I recommend the single malt tasting glass from Stolzle,” describes Anderson Clark, the co-owner of San Diego’s Common Stock. This set includes three of the brand’s lead-free crystal glasses, along with a wooden tray.
A glass firmly rooted in the gentlemen’s club, this one oozes class – think whisky and cigars in the smoking room after dinner. Commonly used for brandy, it’s now very much a glass for the consumption of dark, aged spirits in general. They’re often designed so that, when held partially horizontal, the spirit doesn’t spill out. If you’re a fan of whisky , you’ll know that the best whisky glasses are a must if you want to bring out those rich, smooth flavours.
The perfect glass for savoring bourbon and Scotch, this glass is a classic. This crystal whiskey glass is made from lead-free crystal, weighing about 0.35 points. The crystal’s clarity deepens the hue of the whiskey, and the shape is conducive to holding, swirling, and sipping.