Scotch Glassware

[Crisp]

I was at my local drunkard shop a couple of days ago. I noticed they had quite a selection of crystal scotch glasses. Some of them were $$$. I know enough not to drink the good single malts out of your standard rocks glass, but other that having a scotch glass with a fluted top, is there anything else to look out for?

Thanks,
Crisp

 

[BigRich]

If you're nosing the whisky then drink it out of something with a tulip shape to focus the the nose. If you're just drinking it then use whatever glass you want.

 

[bjh618]

If you're nosing the whisky then drink it out of something with a tulip shape to focus the the nose. If you're just drinking it then use whatever glass you want.

+1.

I would also advise against buying glassware from grog shops. I used to manage a couple and that is where we would gauge the customers.

I would suggest a homewares store or similar. Here in Sydney, I picked up a couple of lead brandy balloons for a third of there price in such a store

 

[Rivguy]

When I am enjoying a dram of a fine single malt I prefer to use a tulip shaped glass or a fine crystal brandy snifter. In that way, the warmth of my hand helps release the nose of the scotch. It is a good shape for swirling as well. In my view, "presentation" adds to the ambiance of the experience of enjoying the fine drink.

Doug

 

[nff]

glencarin is the "classic" scotch glass. its been discribed as "perfect"
http://www.glencairn.co.uk/shop/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=141&strPageHistory=cat

 

[singlemalts]

glencarin is the "classic" scotch glass. its been discribed as "perfect"
http://www.glencairn.co.uk/shop/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=141&strPageHistory=cat

I second this......

i like to buy from amazon.....as low as 4.50 each. not bad for the "Official" scotch glass

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=glencairn&x=0&y=0

 

[DE Shaver]

I'll also say for the record that Glencairn glasses are quite nice for sipping and nosing Scotch. I have a few on hand for when I have friends over for drinks.

 

[Crisp]

Thanks for the Glencairn information. I am purchasing one ASAP.

Any difference between Brandy/Cognac glasses and the aformentioned scotch glass? Same deal, or are they different. If so, how and why?


-Crisp

 

[DE Shaver]

Thanks for the Glencairn information. I am purchasing one ASAP.

Any difference between Brandy/Cognac glasses and the aformentioned scotch glass? Same deal, or are they different. If so, how and why?


-Crisp

A brandy/cognac glass (or snifter) are generally wider and are designed to be warmed by the hand. As a result, more brandy/cognac evaporates and you'll get a more pronounced aroma. A scotch/whisky glass is smaller and tulip shaped. You are not trying to warm the scotch/whisky but your are trying to concentrate the aroma for 'nosing' purposes.

 

[Crisp]

Thank you for that answer. I always get a wishy-washy response.

-Crisp

 

[mouscacha]

Great glass!

 

[Rivguy]

A brandy/cognac glass (or snifter) are generally wider and are designed to be warmed by the hand. As a result, more brandy/cognac evaporates and you'll get a more pronounced aroma. A scotch/whisky glass is smaller and tulip shaped. You are not trying to warm the scotch/whisky but your are trying to concentrate the aroma for 'nosing' purposes.

DE Shaver is quite right as to his comments on propper glass usage. I suppose that it is matter of YMMV but sometime I prefer to use the Waterford snifter for a dram of scotch. I do use Glencairns from time to time as well. For me, there is something about the heft and balance of the Waterford snifter that I enjoy.

Doug

 

[singlemalts]

What glasses do you guys use for other drinks.

Bourbon?
Cognac/Armagnac?
Tequila?
Rum?
Vodka?
other Whiskeys?
other liquor?

 

[DE Shaver]

What glasses do you guys use for other drinks.

Bourbon?
Cognac/Armagnac?
Tequila?
Rum?
Vodka?
other Whiskeys?
other liquor?

I use a tumbler or whiskey glass for bourbon, snifters for cognac/armagnac, shot glass for tequila, highball or tumbler/whisky glass for rum depending on the type and shot glass for vodka.

 

[BigRich]

What glasses do you guys use for other drinks.

Bourbon? - Glencairn or rocks glass depending...I usually nose all my whiskey in Glencairns when I do reviews on my site. It helps with consistency.
Cognac/Armagnac? - Always a snifter
Tequila? - I don't drink it.
Rum? - Same as bourbon.
Vodka? - i don't drink it.
other Whiskeys? - Japanese gets the scotch treatment, everything else is the same as bourbon.
other liquor? - I'm mostly drink whiskey

 

[knlgskr]

Riedel makes a Malt Whisky glass and their products are excellent.

 

[Rivguy]

Riedel makes a Malt Whisky glass and their products are excellent.

This is the name that I could not think of when I posted earlier. I have some Riedel Vinum single malt glasses that I like very much, perhaps even more than Glencairn. Now that I think of it, I think that I only have one left...a friend of a friend dropped two...yes I said two, in one night. I am not sure which was the greater loss, the glassware or the scotch, it was Macallan 18! He was not intoxicated either.

Doug

 

[DE Shaver]

I am not sure which was the greater loss, the glassware or the scotch, it was Macallan 18!

The scotch!

 

[clubman]

Glencairns are have a lot going for them - they can be cheap (free, even, when you get 'em in a Christmas-time combo pack or at a distillery), they work very well, and they are nigh-well indestructable - you can drop the glass ones on the floor and they'll bounce (haven't tried this with the newer crystal ones yet). However, I personally like something a little larger if I'm nosing - either a sherry copita (you can get these cheap at Crate & Barrel - they call them "port glasses") or the Spiegelau whisky snifters (http://www.amazon.com/Spiegelau-Vino-Whiskey-Snifter-Set/dp/B000HSPCOY). The copita (the Spiegelau is a modified version) is what they use for highfalutin' whisky tastings - the extra volume compared to a Glencairn makes a noticable difference where the nose is concerned.

HOWEVER, there are times when you just need a dram without all the silliness, and then a nice heavy tumbler does the trick like nothing else can - I have some cut crystal ones that serve nicely for this purpose...

 

[Don Barbiere]

If you have Pier1 whereever you live they have tulip shaped glasses for dirt cheap and they are descent quility, check it out!