Whiskey glasses ensure an elegant and easy-to-handle presentation for different types of liquor. Impress your guests with an elevated selection of glassware to serve your sips. Choosing the best whiskey glasses for a party is always a good idea because it enhances the overall experience.
Whiskey is a nice slowly sipped drink to enjoy. Its relaxed drinking pace may even help with cutting back on alcohol. A recent study shows that this year, Americans rank their priorities for a balanced lifestyle as being more conscious of what their body wants and needs (73%) or consuming alcohol in moderation (46%).
And you’d be surprised to know that the key to drinking less alcohol — is using a smaller glass, scientists conclude. Their new study found that people who regularly drink wine at home consumed less each week when they switched to smaller glasses and bought smaller bottles.
Regardless of your drinking habits, whiskey presents a sophisticated taste and is enjoyed by many. A new set of snifters can make for the perfect gift. But selecting the best one is quite a hectic task. We have done the heavy lifting for you. StudyFinds has selected the five best whiskey glasses here after reviewing 11 expert websites and customer reviews. Let us know if we missed your favorite in the comments!
The List: Best Whiskey Glasses, According to Experts
1. Norlan Whisky Glass
Gear Patrol states that it is the most innovative glass. “An ergonomic, lightweight riff on a Glencairn, the Norlan Glass essentially drops the head of that glass inside a tumbler. The whole thing is made of borosilicate glass, which is much lighter than the glass typically used to make tumblers. It’s also got a faceted base for a fingerprint-free grip, an easy fix to one of life’s smaller nuisances.”
“The innovative Norlan is designed to capture a whiskey’s complex flavors and aromatics and deliver them to the senses. A protrusion inside the glass creates a wave when whisky is swirled, increasing the rate of oxidization and ethanol evaporation, resulting in a smoother, softer aroma,” says Men’s Journal. “The outer tumbler allows for easy grasping and drinking while preventing the whiskey from absorbing warmth from your hand.”
“Norlan glasses are crafted with two molded pieces of borosilicate glass fused together across a linear flame. The result reflects the whiskey back up through the rim, giving it a shimmering splendor and capturing its symphony of tastes. Jim McEwan, the former master distiller of Bruichladdich, created the Norlan to celebrate the array of whiskey’s complex flavors and aromatics. Double walls prevent your hand from increasing the temperature and provide a nice, weighty heft,” adds Saveur.
2. Riedel Drink Specific Rocks Glass
Liquor notes its versatility: “A rocks glass is good for anything: single-ounce pours, spirits on the rocks cocktails or even water. For Voisey, Riedel’s 9-ounce heavy-base tumblers are particularly great for drinking Old Fashioneds or classic whiskey cocktails on the rocks. For this drink-specific collection, Georg Riedel tapped a range of bartenders and industry experts to create these glasses. Each design showcases both spirits and cocktails, and can hold up in a high-energy bar environment—it’s common to spot these glasses on bar tops across the country.”
“This handsome glass has a wide rim for a larger sip volume but houses a two-ounce pour neat or over rocks quite nicely. Riedel also makes a six-ounce neat glass if you are looking for something smaller. It is modeled after the Dorset Crystal Old-Fashioned Glass but is a fraction of the price,” writes Tech Gear Lab. “The thin rim is delicate and delivers the liquid to your lips with little interference, while the thick base adds some weight. The thick base feels nice in your hand and makes the Riedel less likely to tip over. The vertical channels are aesthetically pleasing, offer decent grip, and stop just below the rim, ensuring a dribble-free experience. When the channels reach the thick base, they become small triangular cut-outs which help keep the base from being too heavy and add to the general aesthetic.”
“Riedel glassware is wide-ranging in design. But where some of its designs can feel old and futzy, this one is old in the best way, with art nouveau lines inspired by architecture and art from the turn of the (last) century. Plus, this specific set was made to serve seven classic cocktails: The Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Daiquiri, Sour, Peasant, Buck, and Julep,” explains Esquire.
3. Glencairn Whisky Glass
Robb Report says that it is the best whiskey glass for tasting. “Designer Raymond Davidson developed the glass hand-in-hand with master Scotch blenders to accentuate whiskey specifically, rather than borrowing glassware from other booze industries. (Before the Glencairn’s release in 2001, the professional whiskey sipping vessel of choice was the humble copita, a long-stemmed glass with a tulip-shaped bowl designed for drinking sherry). Davidson removed the stem and replaced it with a kind of glass knob on the base, making the glass less prone to breaks and much easier to store. The base of the bowl was widened to allow for more swirling, as well as to provide a clearer view of the spirit’s hue. Mercifully, the outward taper of the rim lessens the likelihood of whiskey running from the glass and straight down your chin, too, which is a big plus.”
“Whilst these types of whisky glasses have an old-world charm, and medieval feel about them, this glass manages to maintain the traditional style with a few innovative touches,” adds Man of Many. “Designed specifically for the whisky drinker, the glass offers a unique inward-curved shape that encourages you to appreciate the nose of the whisky as well as the palate, in the way it heightens the whisky aromas. We like the sound of this, and so do plenty of others it seems – this glass is used by every Whisky company in Scotland and Ireland.”
“If you’ve been to a legit whiskey tasting, odds are you have sampled the wares from a Glencairn glass. The tulip-like design funnels aromas to the nose to better help you appreciate the nuanced notes of your bourbon, malt, or rye. Glencairns are also easy to hold and swirl. Plus they’re affordable, so it won’t cost a fortune to keep a good number on hand for you and some friends to sample a few varieties of whiskey. Made from lead-free crystal, the glasses are dishwasher safe,” mentions The Spruce Eats.
4. Huckberry Whiskey Peaks Glasses
Liquor rates these glasses five stars and writes, “Huckberry’s Whiskey Peaks line boasts as much form as they do function: Made of hand-blown glass, the handsome conversation pieces are almost paper-thin and designed to let the spirit shine. Whether you’re keen on climbing up rock faces or looking for a spirited souvenir, the 11.5-ounce Whiskey Peaks glass is a unique way to elevate a drinking experiment. Think of them as a great gift for bosses, bachelors and beyond.”
“Do you need a constant reminder to conquer your ‘Everest,’ whatever that might be? If so, these Huckberry Whiskey peaks glasses are perfect,” says The Manual. “This image depicts Mt. Everest, but you can choose from six different topographical impressions to emerge from the bottom of your whiskey. Choose from famed peaks like Denali, Grand Canyon, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Everest, Mt. Rainier, and Mount Washington. You can pick up a set of two at Huckberry for $30.”
“These hand-blown glasses feature indented bottoms that trace topographic silhouettes of mountains around the world: Half Dome, Whitney, the Matterhorn, Kilimanjaro, Everest, and more. Unique and eye-catching, they were dreamed up in 2016 to commemorate the National Parks Service centennial. Designed in San Francisco and made in Chengde City, China, they take the idea of raising a glass to heart,” notes Saveur.
5. Denver & Liely Whisky Glass
Forbes says, “The main goal of a specialist whisky glass is to mitigate the stinging smell of alcohol and allow the other aromas of the whisky to waft through. The Denver & Liely is the result of hundreds of hours of research, prototyping, and consultation with industry figures to create a glass that combines the advantages of both the tumbler and a snifter-style glass.”
“Australia-based Denver & Liely’s bourbon glass (much like its whiskey, gin and agave glasses) is an upgraded take on a classic design. Like the Glencairn—effectively the standard in whiskey glassware bent toward sipping—the foundation is a weighty glass knob that’s just the right size to wrap a few fingers around,” adds Robb Report. “Beyond that, this design cuts a different path. The cup is wider and shorter—a bit like the neat glass—which effectively tempers bourbon whiskey’s sweeter, corn-focused flavor. In the hand, an upgrade in glass quality from other sipping-focused glassware is apparent; its shape, lines and weight have a premium feel. And considering Aussies and American Southerners share brutally hot summers, the fact that the glass is just wide enough for an ice cube or two doesn’t seem like an accident.”
“It’s essentially just a smushed and higher-quality Glencairn glass, and that’s great. The mouth, base and bowl are wider and, in the hand, it looks more like a regular whiskey glass than the Glencairn, which has a kind of professorial vibe going on. The Denver & Liely glasses are hand-blown from lead-free crystal and there’s enough room inside one for an ice cube or two as well,” points out Gear Patrol.
Honorable mentions:
What Makes A Good Whisky Glass?
Using a whisky glass specifically designed for whisky is essential for several reasons:
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Aroma Enhancement: The shape of a whisky glass, particularly its tapered rim, helps to concentrate and intensify the aromas of the whisky, allowing you to fully appreciate its complex flavor profile.
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Swirling and Aeration: A properly shaped whisky glass provides ample space for swirling the whisky, which releases its volatile compounds and further enhances its aroma and flavor. Aeration also helps to mellow the alcohol burn, making the whisky more enjoyable to sip.
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Temperature Control: The stem of a stemmed whisky glass keeps your hand away from the whisky, preventing it from warming up too quickly. This is especially important for enjoying whisky neat or with just a splash of water, where the temperature can significantly affect the taste.
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Aesthetic Enhancement: Whisky glasses are designed to showcase the beautiful color and clarity of whisky, adding to the overall sensory experience.
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Ritualistic Significance: Using a proper whisky glass adds a sense of refinement and ritual to the whisky-drinking experience, making it more enjoyable and memorable.
Using a whisky glass is not just about practicality; it’s about elevating your whisky-drinking experience and fully appreciating the craftsmanship and artistry behind this complex spirit. So what should you consider when shopping for the best whisky glass?
Material
The material of the whisky glass plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall drinking experience. The most common and preferred choice is glass or crystal. These materials are inert and won’t impart any unwanted flavors or aromas to the whisky. They also allow for clear observation of the whisky’s color and clarity.
Shape
The shape of the whisky glass significantly impacts the aroma and flavor profile of the whisky. Tulip-shaped glasses, such as the Glencairn or NEAT glass, are widely considered the best for nosing and tasting whisky. Their wide bowl allows the whisky to breathe and release its aromas, while the tapered rim concentrates them towards the nose.
Rocks glasses, also known as Old Fashioned glasses, are another popular choice, particularly for enjoying whisky on the rocks or with a splash of water. Their straight sides and wide opening make them easy to swirl the whisky, further releasing its aromas.
Size
The size of the whisky glass is a matter of personal preference. However, a good rule of thumb is to choose a glass that can accommodate at least 2 ounces of whisky. This allows for ample space to swirl the whisky and appreciate its aromas without feeling cramped.
Stemmed vs. Stemless
Stemmed whisky glasses are traditionally preferred by whisky connoisseurs as they allow for swirling and nosing without the heat from the drinker’s hand affecting the whisky’s temperature. Stemless glasses offer a more casual drinking experience and can be more stable on surfaces.
Additional Considerations
Apart from material, shape, size, and stem design, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing whisky glasses:
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Durability: If you’re prone to spills or have young children, consider thicker, more durable glasses.
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Aesthetics: Choose glasses that complement your personal style and the atmosphere you want to create.
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Purpose: If you primarily enjoy whisky neat or on the rocks, a tulip-shaped or rocks glass is ideal. If you prefer whisky cocktails, a cocktail glass or coupe might be more suitable.
Good luck in your whisky glass shopping and if you have a set in particular you’d like to share with our readers, please let us know in the comments section below!
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Sources:
- Men’s Journal
- Liquor
- The Spruce Eats
- Esquire
- Saveur
- Tech Gear Lab
- Man of Many
- Robb Report
- Gear Patrol
- The Manual
- Forbes
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links. Commissions made from affiliate links do not influence their placement or inclusion on StudyFinds.
