Whiskey is an expensive and elite drink. To fully enjoy its taste, you need to choose the right glass. But before choosing, you need to understand the variety of glassware intended for this type of alcohol.

Content
- Features of whiskey glasses
- Which whiskey glasses to choose for yourself or as a gift
- Is it worth buying a whiskey gift set with glasses
- Famous Whiskey Glass Brands and Manufacturers
- How to care for glasses
- VIDEO: How to choose the right whiskey glasses.
- 50 photos of designer whiskey glasses and tumblers:
Features of whiskey glasses
The best material is crystal or glass. Crystal is more expensive, but, unlike glass, it has thermal conductivity and transparency - important factors for assessing elite alcohol, its walls are thinner, but it is more difficult to care for: you have to wash it by hand. Glass is not as beautiful, but it is cheaper, and many manufacturers create it using special technologies, smoothing out the shortcomings of the material.
Types of glasses differ in shape and thickness.
The most popular are the following.
- Shot glass (shot glass) – has a thick bottom and straight walls, holds about 50 ml. Not suitable for those who like to enjoy the aroma of the drink, as the smell evaporates; but for those who drink whiskey only for the taste, it will suit just right.
- Tumbler (tumbler) or Highball (highball) - a barrel-shaped glass, has a thick bottom and straight walls. Holds from 150 to 300 ml. Not used for tasting, as the shape does not allow you to catch the smell, but is often used in bars due to its durability. Suitable for whiskey on the rocks.
- Rocks (рокс) – similar to a tumbler, but its bottom is thinner and the walls widen towards the top. Holds up to 320 ml of alcohol. Also used in bars for purposes other than tasting.
- Tulip (тюлип) – resembles tulip buds in shape, holds about 100 ml, has a long thin stem. Suitable for tasting due to its narrowed edges.
- Nosing (nouzing) – a tulip-shaped glass on a thick stem with a capacity of up to 100 ml. Its walls narrow towards the top. It is used for tasting.
- Snifter (snifter) – a spherical glass, like a nosing, suitable for tasting due to its tulip shape. It has a large capacity – up to 600 ml. Reveals the full flavor and bouquet of aromas of the drink.
Which whiskey glasses to choose for yourself or as a gift
A true connoisseur of elite alcohol does not limit himself and has a whole set of glasses, because each glass is intended for a certain type of whiskey.
So, grain alcohol has a strong smell. It needs to be dispersed to enjoy the taste. Tumblers and shot glasses are used for this.
Single malt and malt have a subtle aroma, so these types are served in tulip-shaped glasses (snifters, tulips or noses) to capture all the nuances of the aroma.
Blended whiskey is a mixture of grain and malt whiskey, so depending on which type predominates, you should choose from a glass with thin walls (for example, a shot glass) or one that tapers towards the top (a snifter).
Elite whiskey aged for over 10 years is a complex alcoholic drink with a rich taste and bouquet of aromas. It should be drunk from tulip-shaped glasses with thin walls intended for tasting.
Bourbon should be drunk in straight glasses, which include shot glasses and tumblers, or in a rocks glass.
Glasses should be chosen depending on your taste and preferences. Crystal glassware is better suited for a gift. It is of higher quality and allows you to enjoy the drink, prolonging the pleasure.
Is it worth buying a whiskey gift set with glasses
A friend will thank you for a set of gift glasses for whiskey. Such a purchase will bring pleasure. But not always come across glasses of good quality, and it is rare to check them because of careful packaging. The number of gift dishes is limited, usually fluctuates between 1 and 3.
There are also advantages: the manufacturer selects glasses suitable for a given type of alcohol, the purchase will cost less than buying glasses and the drink separately.
How to choose a set of whiskey glasses?
There are some tips to help you choose a good set.
- The design of all glasses in the set should be the same. The thickness, height and shape are the same.
- There should be no abrasions, cracks, chips or scratches on the body. The glass must have a perfect appearance.
- If you are serious about the matter and are buying a product from a well-known brand, in order to avoid making a mistake, ask for a quality certificate.
Famous Whiskey Glass Brands and Manufacturers
Of course, you can give a regular gift set: inexpensive and convenient. But it is always better to choose products from well-known brands.
Elite whiskey glasses are much more expensive (approximately 15,000 for 2 pieces and a decanter), but they are made of crystal, contain silver inserts, unique carvings and can be figured.
Other glass manufacturers worth considering include Piegelau (which has been making glasses for over 500 years), Prohotel (the least expensive), Glencairn (a well-known authority in Scotland), as well as brands such as Riedel, Wilson & Morgan, Villeroy & Boch and Union Victors.
How to care for glasses
Very simple. They should be washed in time so that the material does not fade or change color. This can be done either with special detergents or with homemade ones. It is better to take cleaning agents without alkalis, and if the composition contains a lot of chemical components, then you should not abuse them. You can make your own products from vinegar, soda and water. After mixing all this, wash the glass well, and then rinse with clean water.
Important! Do not use a dishwasher for washing, especially for crystal and luxury dishes.
There are a huge variety of whiskey glasses: different prices, shapes and materials. Before buying them, you need to understand their features. Which is better? It's a matter of taste and whiskey.