Whiskey Glass Purchasing Guide
Whiskey lovers tend to be a demanding bunch - they generally know what they like to drink and how they like to drink it. To satisfy the wide variety of whiskey drinkers out there, make sure that you have the right glass on-hand for every situation.
Types of Glasses
Old Fashioned
The classic. With straight sides, a thick base, and a wide brim, this whiskey glass is the most versatile: it suits neat whiskey, whiskey on the rocks, and the thick base allows it to handle mixed whiskey cocktails.
Rocks Glass
Rocks glasses are meant to be enjoyed with whiskey served “on the rocks”. They are usually slightly tapered and smaller than old fashioned glasses, as they are not designed to be used for whiskey cocktails and as such do not require thick bases or space for more liquid.
Hi Ball Glass
This glass is designed for cocktails - and thus, must live up to the mixing-resistant, muddling-resistant, and greater liquid capacity needs of a cocktail-oriented glass. The thick base lets the glass handle mixing and muddling, while the height of the glass gives it the capacity necessary for a large cocktail with ice.
Glencairn Glass
This glass is designed for drinking whiskey neat, and is commonly associated with the whiskey connoisseur as the wide base and tulip structure pushes the aroma towards the nose. The stemmed base also enables swirling, which oxygenates the whiskey and thus further enhances the aroma and the flavor. Though this glass is not meant for cocktails, some glencairns have thick enough bases that it can be managed.
Snifter Glass
The snifter glass is popular among whiskey aficionados. Like the glencairn, the snifter is stemmed, which keeps the whiskey at a more constant temperature, and has a narrow brim and a wide bottom, which allows for better oxygenation and thus a more full and robust aroma.