For serious ( read : obsessed)whiskey drinker , everything matters when it comes towhiskeyconsumption — from theorigin of the whiskeyto the temperature of the spirit to the setting in which it is consumed . The choice of glassware is especially important . Though a regular oldrocks glasswill suffice , a figure of timeserving caller now offer glasses design to “ beneficial ” the whiskey imbibing experience by funneling the spirit ’s aroma or more efficiently aerating the whiskey or allowing for more whiskey movement . But do these features in reality make a difference , or is it all gimmick ?
We tried five glasses made specifically for whiskey , boasting extra whisky “ enhancing ” lineament , to see if they ’re deserving the hype . Here ’s what we discovered .
Glencairn Whisky Glass, $9
The Glencairn Whiskey Glass was first put on the grocery in 2001 and was designed with the aid of master blenders from the five largest whisky houses in Scotland . It has since gone on to become the go - to tasting glass at distillery and whisky tastings . Like its site claims , the glass ’s minute , tapered mouth helps trammel and conduct the odour of whatever it holds toward the drinker ’s nozzle , spend a penny it promiscuous to identify the whisky ’s primal attributes . Have a bottling that ’s say to smack of leather and caramel ? You ’ll pick those notes up along with many more using this glassful .
The drinking glass is also extremely comfortable to hold , with enough of a theme to get the picture to avoid warm the whiskey too much with your hand . Its base also provides a dainty amount of heft toward the bottom of the glass to make swirling and tipping the glass almost effortless . When drink out of it , however , the bound of the flange hits directly on the tip of the nose , so you have to lean back to get any liquid out .
If you ’re devotee of sipping your whiskies neat , you ’ll want to add together one of these glasses to your assemblage — there is also acrystal cutversion available , if the unmistakable glass is too boring for your precious bottling .
Norlan Whisky Glass, $48 for a set of 2
With a more pronounced tulip shape than that of the Glencairn Whiskey Glass , the Norlan glass takes the design — and science — of whiskey glasswork a step further , coalesce trait of both a traditional whiskey tumbler and a cauline brandy snifter . The methamphetamine hydrochloride ’s most obvious excogitation feature is the threefold layer of deoxyephedrine , which not only produce it visually appealing , but also prevents your palm from warming the liquid state inside of the Methedrine as you drink . The rima oris of the deoxyephedrine also opens up a little wide than that of the Glencairn trash , control that it go nicely over your nozzle as you toast . The lip of the glass — where the inner and outer layers meet — sits comfortably on the sassing . The one misstep , though , is its lightweight design — the glass take more effort to swirl and aerate as it does n’t have a healthy bag to aid in inertia .
The company claims that , “ when swirled around the methamphetamine the fluid organize a standing waving material body , which increase the aerofoil to air proportion and pace of oxidization , ” which supposedly have a slap-up amount of ethanol to evaporate , leaving behind only the more important aromas and “ improving the taste of your whisky . ” Those are some highfaluting title , but the Norlan glass drive home . While it is n’t much different than the Glencairn glass as far as flavor delivery is concerned , it does seem to push some of the more intrusive ethanol aromas out of the shabu , go out behind only the most delicious and delicate scents .
Normann Copenhagen Whiskey Glass, $50 for a set of 2
The Normann Copenhagen Whiskey Glass would be a lovely improver to anyone ’s glassware collection , but it may be a routine too much glass to handle . While it ’s plenty sizable and does offer stability ( like the company ’s site claims ) , the fundament is nearly four inches wide , and the glass slants up at an angle to produce a triangle human body that is awkward to hold and will slide right out of any less - than - unwavering clutches .
The troupe also claims that this field glass “ closes in at the flange intensifying and draw aroma to the olfactory organ . ” To some extent , it does , but not as efficaciously as the more minute opening of the Glencairn or Norman whisky glasses . And , like the Glencairn glass , it lean to hold in some of those ethanol scent rather than releasing them , resulting in a more intensely alcohol - forward nozzle . The one thing this design does offer over the previous two , however , is the power to hold internal-combustion engine . If you like minimalist design and a turn of dilution with your whiskey , the Normann Copenhagen Whiskey Glass is the way to go .
Epicureanist Helix Whiskey Glass, $22
Do you get world-weary drinking at home ? This glass from Epicureanist will keep you diverted — or , at least , that ’s what the company claims . The Helix Whiskey Glass , whose design was vaguely inspired by the form of the same name , is essentially a glorified highball chalk . Though it ’s made for whisky , the shape does not slue one way or the other . Its one defining characteristic is the point on its base that allows it to spin like a top . Though the party pronounce this motion will both raise the taste of your boozing and oxygenise the whisky for you , the issue is no dissimilar than sipping out of a rocks glass . For the most part , the perfume escapes up the wall of the ice , leaving just a trace behind .
Matterhorn Glass, $47 for a set of 2
Made from crystal and modeled after the noted 14,692 - infantry - tall Alpine mountain , the Matterhorn Glass is , essentially , a standard rocks glass with one obvious addition : the mountain - mold obstructer in the essence of the glass . Though it may look coolheaded ( and it in spades does ) , this glassy jutting depart you with less space for the good stuff and makes it virtually impossible to contribute even one decent ice cube to the glass . Perhaps that ’s why its Godhead , South Korean company Tale Design , calls it a “ watch crystal on the rock meth . ” Like the Helix glass , the straight rampart have a tough time containing the aromas while you drink . That order , it ’s perfectly fine for sipping whisky orderly . However , the company ’s idea that the “ liquor filled in this glass feel more unclouded and pure ” is but a marketing gambit .
