Best Whiskey Glasses
A big part of enjoying whiskey is about finding the perfect glass. While the aesthetics can't be underestimated, more important is the impact on the drink's flavor and aroma. In this article, we'll describe all the essential qualities of the best whiskey glasses, which will help you make educated choices. To assist you further, we'll show you some of our favorites for every budget.
Critical Factors for Great Whiskey Glasses
When choosing which whiskey glasses to purchase, you need to pay attention to three key factors.
Appearance
The design of the glass is important because it makes the color of the whiskey stand out. However, it's not all about the looks. You should determine the quality of the glassware, including its girth or weight. Take it in your hand, and see if it feels comfortable. Try to imagine if it goes well with the shelf where you plan to keep it.
Nosing
Enjoying whiskey isn’t only about drinking it. Taking the time to smell the aroma is an essential part of the experience. There are two choices you can make. Some drinkers love a wider blow, as it gives the spirit more room to breathe. That way, fumes quickly leave the glass, and the taste of whiskey feels mellower. If you want to enjoy the full aroma, you may prefer a narrow mouth. As you lift the glass and drink, the strong smell of liquor will fill your nostrils. There's no wrong decision here, as it's all about your personal preference.
Drinkability
This factor determines how easy it is to drink from the glass. You want glassware that you don't have to tilt much before the contents reach your mouth. That's why it's vital to check the wall slope angle, base weight, and the brim's diameter.
The Types of Whiskey Glasses
Whiskey glasses come in different shapes and sizes, going from compact and innovative to robust and traditional. Here’s a list of the six most popular types of glassware.
The Whiskey Tumbler
This a classical whiskey glass that you see in executive offices. It's a traditional and safe choice if you’re buying it as a gift. The tumbler has a wide rim, meaning that it's not optimized for nosing. The shape and robustness are perfect if you like ice in your whiskey or enjoy classic cocktails.
The NEAT Whiskey Glass
This is a relatively new type of glass that resulted from a mistake during the glassblowing process. Further testing determined that this model is in fact perfect for directing strong vapors away from the nose. NEAT stands for Naturally Engineered Aroma Technology, as the goal is to keep only the heavier molecules within the whiskey. The shape of this glass will draw attention, and it's an excellent choice for beginners or anyone who doesn't appreciate the harsh aroma. Be aware of its unusual shape, as it'll take time before you learn how to hold it properly.
The Dock Glass
Also known as the tulip-shaped or copita-style glass, this model is the top choice for many blenders and whiskey connoisseurs. It's of Spanish origins, where a similar glass is traditionally used for sampling sherry. The long stem has the purpose of keeping your hand away from your nose so that you can enjoy the spirit's smell without obstructions. The rim is narrowed, and if you like to warm your whiskey before drinking, this type of glassware is easy to cradle.
The Glencairn
This glass shares many elements with the copita-style glass, only this model is more robust and has a solid base. The Glencairn is a perfect tool to learn how to swirl whiskey and appreciate the aroma. That’s the reason why it has a narrower rim. Unlike the doc glass, the Glencairn is crafted only for whiskey.
The Highball
Described as a taller cousin of the tumbler, this glass is perfect if you like to combine whiskey with ice, or make a traditional Scotch and soda cocktail. The highball invites you to be creative and mix things while creating a drink to enjoy slowly. Highball glassware has a simple design, and while it's rare in the USA or Europe, it's the favorite choice in Japan.
The Balloon
This traditional glass has many names, including the brandy bowl, the cognac glass, or the snifter. You may well have seen such a glass in the movies, scenes with gentlemen enjoying drinks in clubs while smoking cigars. The balloon is the top choice for serving aged spirits of darker colors, even though it's not particularly practical. The wide-body helps release ethanol vapors, which can dominate other aromas.
How to Drink Whiskey?
The long-lasting debate about how to serve and drink whiskey taught us that there’s no one single way to do it. Some people don't think that whiskey should be mixed with other drinks and even suggest using a limited amount of ice. Others are willing to experiment as they add different ingredients. As there are no strict rules, even at glamorous parties, always keep in mind that enjoying a whiskey drink is all about personal experience.
5 Whiskey Glasses Options for Every Budget
Venero Crystal Whiskey Glasses
Made out of lead-free crystal, Venero glasses are guaranteed to get the attention of your guests. While the design is both unique and beautiful, it's equally vital that the glass is pleasant to hold. This glassware is robust, with a sturdy base and thick walls. That makes it an ideal glass if you like ice in your whiskey since it won't melt quickly.
This set of four glasses is very affordable, and it comes in a beautiful box. Therefore, it’s an excellent choice for a gift. If you’re still unsure, Venero offers a risk-free trial. If not satisfied with the quality after a month of use, you can send them back for a full refund. Combining traditional and modern design with quality crystal and a low price, Venero Crystal Whiskey Glasses are both attractive and safe choices.
$61.99
Luigi Bormioli Drinking Whiskey Glasses
Traditional glass still looks beautiful, as does this product from Luigi Bormioli. The focus here is on usability and quality, as glassware has a sense of weight and clarity, while it's stable and pleasant to hold. The base is strong, and the rims are laser cut. Durability is on a high level, and the manufacturer claims that this set of six glasses can be washed more than 4,000 times without breaking.
While classified as whiskey glasses, they’re versatile and can be used for other drinks such as water or orange juice. This set may lack extravagant design, but it certainly won't let you down. The competitive price makes it an essential choice and a substitute for expensive alternatives. This is the best whiskey glass you'll find at this mid-price point.
$45.00
Glencairn Whiskey Glasses
This set of four glasses is made for whiskey enthusiasts and connoisseurs. It allows them to enjoy the aroma of whiskey while sipping it slowly. This curvy, lead-free glassware has a robust base that provides excellent stability. That makes it a popular choice at large gatherings, such are festivals. Glencairn Glass is also found in distilleries, mostly in the United States and the British Isles.
Because of its shape, this product isn’t meant for traditionalists, or anyone wishing to drink whiskey with ice. However, if you love to smell the aroma and savor your drink, Glencairn Whiskey Glasses will enhance the experience, while also looking pretty. Granted, the packaging isn’t as attractive, but that’s reflected in the low price.
$32.99
[BONUS] - Nosing glasses tend to be very delicate. If you enjoy sipping whiskey outside you make want to consider a more rugged option. The Snüte stainless steel nosing glass is a great option. The solid design is virtually unbreakable. The contours of the inner wall of this whiskey glass help direct the aromas to your nose. That makes it easier to pick out the distinct odors of each whiskey.
Kagami Crystal on the Rocks
If you need something unique in your whiskey glass collection, this product from the renowned Japanese company, Kagami Crystal, is an attractive choice. While based on traditional-looking glasses found in top executive offices, this product has a distinctive design. Made out of raw materials, Kagami Crystal on the Rocks has a high degree of brilliance and transparency. The bottom is heavy, making the glass both stable and durable.
What makes this item even more extraordinary is that it's handmade. This glassware comes in a wooden box that guarantees safe transport to your address and will look beautiful on any shelf. Be aware that this product is often out of stock and is occasionally unavailable for several months. That can happen when you make one of the best whiskey glasses on the market.
$158.53
Modernlife Whiskey Glasses Cup
If you require something that’s both traditional and innovative, this might be the solution. While it doesn't look remarkable at first, this glass has a unique take on the link between base and glass. A wooden bottom has a conical intrusion that connects it to the glass. As a result, you can easily detach it, which makes lifting the glassware easier. While you may be concerned about the base's quality, it’s produced from durable hardwood that won't warp after a few uses.
Traditional whiskey enthusiasts might not like this solution, as for them, having a weighty glass is an important part of the experience. While these Modernlife whiskey glasses aren’t for everyone, the affordable price makes it an exciting choice. If nothing else, watching the surprised reactions of your guests will be an added bonus.
$14.99
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide provided you with the essential information that helped you learn more about whiskey glasses. While it's suggested to purchase quality products, don't forget that enjoying the drink is all about your own personal experience. As long as it makes you feel good, that's all that matters.
