Introduction
If you’re a whisky drinker, you might have at some point wondered why there are different types of whiskey glasses? Does the glass matter when drinking whiskey? Well we can tell you yes, it definitely does matter, we’re not just talking aesthetics, we’re talking taste! We’ve gone into more detail below, read on to find out more..
What is the difference between scotch and bourbon whiskeys?
There are many different types of whiskey glasses. Firstly, lets clear up the grey areas, the differences between scotch and bourbon;
Scotch
Scotch whiskey is mainly made from malted barley and can only be made in Scotland to be called ‘scotch’ whiskey. Scotch whiskey is usually aged in an oak barrel for a minimum of 3 years.
Bourbon
Bourbon whiskey is made from corn mash. It is only made in the United States and unlike scotch whiskey there is no minimum time period for the whiskey to be aged.
Types of whiskey glasses
So lets go into detail on the different types of whiskey glasses. There are some that have more generalized everyday application and can be found in most bars, these glasses make for a more casual drinking experience.
Other glasses have more of a specialized design with specific reasons as to why they are made a certain size or shape. These glasses enhance and refine the aromas (nose) of the whiskey and will improve the tasting experience. By the end of this section you should have a good understanding as to why certain whiskey glasses are shaped the way they are and how this affects your drinking experience.
The Rocks Glass
The whiskey rocks glass is the most common type of whiskey glass. You may also hear this glass being referred to as the whiskey tumbler, or the lowball glass. It is a short glass with straight sides and a wide mouth.
The whiskey rocks glass is a great glass for the casual whiskey drinker and is an all round versatile glass. The wide mouth allows for the glass to be filled with plenty of ice if you prefer to enjoy your whiskey “on the rocks”, however the mouth is so wide it isn’t too good at trapping aromas of the whiskey in. Due to its versatility, you will also see a whole range of popular cocktails served in this type of glass.
The Highball
The highball glass looks the opposite to the Lowball Rocks Glass. It is a tall and skinny glass with straight sides, a narrow base, and narrow mouth and is also a great casual drinking glass. Due to its tall & narrow design it does a better job of trapping and focusing the aromas of the whiskey than the lowball.
This glass will also allow plenty of ice to be stacked in if you desire. Due to the height of the glass, it is better for a longer drink because more can be served in it. Again you will also see plenty of cocktails made in this type of glass.
The Glencairn
The Glencairn is a short, stemless glass but it does have a solid pyramid shape base to it. The glass can be held by this solid base meaning heat exchange isn’t an issue. The glass is quite durable and offers a more refined whiskey drinking experience than the 2 previously mentioned glasses.
The wide bowl of the glass allows for increased aeration and aroma release. The glass generally has a good nose to it which increases your whiskey tasting experience. The glass shape keeps the whiskey aromas more contained and funnels the aromas upwards to a narrower mouth.
The Copita
You may also hear this glass being referred to as the tulip shaped glass due to its likeness in shape to the flower. It is a taller stemmed glass with a wide bowl and gentle inwards taper to a narrower mouth. The glass is designed to be held by the slender stem to avoid heat transfer into the whiskey.
The design of this glass is great for a lot of the same reasons as the Glencairn glass. It has a solid nose to the glass, it greatly increases the smell and taste of the whiskey. Due to this, it has become a popular choice of whiskey connoisseurs around the world.
The Snifter
The snifter is a short, wide stemmed glass, often used for aged brown liquors. You will usually either find brandy or whiskey in this glass it is generally a great glass for enhancing the taste. It has become a well recognised classy glass, a staple of the gentleman’s club.
The stem on this glass is a lot shorter and thicker than most glasses but can still be held comfortably and feels sturdy. The extremely wide bowl shape of the Snifter glass allows for a larger serving, but can release strong flavours which may be too harsh for the beginner whiskey drinker but sought after for the palette of an enthusiast. The design allows for the glass to be tipped horizontally without spillage.
How to choose the right whiskey glass?
We hope you now have a good understanding of the different types of whiskey glasses and how the glass can affect your drinking experience. Some of the whiskey enthusiast amongst you may have already been aware of this information, for others, this information could be inviting you into a whole new world.
We wish to have been insightful, but lets not make it over complicated. We think the decisions on what whisky glass to buy, should be made with these three considerations in mind
Occasion?
What is the occasion? As mentioned above, are you simply looking for a casual drink or would you like a more refined tasting experience? Maybe its nice to have glasses to suit both behind your bar?
What are your preferences?
Are you searching for something simple, classy and elegant? Or do you want something fun, decorative and quirky? Your choice may simply come down to the glass you prefer the look of for your bar.
Budget?
What is your budget? Usually if the glass improves the experience, you can expect to pay a little more. From our experience its usually worth it.
Conclusion
To summarise, choosing a whiskey glass should come down to personal preference, despite the detailed explanations we’ve provided here, we still think its a good idea to try a variety of different glasses to see which one is most enjoyable for you.
If you’re perhaps looking for glasses that are a little more personalized click here.
Not a Whiskey drinker? Check our other article on Wine glasses here.
- Home bar ideas on a budget! 10 Fantastically frugal solutions! - February 19, 2023
- 35 Amazingly unique wine glasses! - February 12, 2023
- Small home bar ideas! 10 inspiring suggestions! - January 10, 2023
