WHAT TYPE OF GLASS...

By r0b

... is the best for whisk(e)y? Like much about whisky it's a lot about preference. What sits best in your hand, what the occasion is, and simply what you have available. There is a bit if snobbery and bigger-than-thou in all groups of people who tend to take their passion too seriously - you'll find it among connoisseurs of fine wine, cognac, chocolate, cheese and whatnot - and to a certain extend, they are full of fertilizer. However, nosing whisky from different types of glasses will have a dramatic effect on the overall sampling experience. Which is ultimately the best? The one that suits you. What's written here is only my preferences.

Here's an image of some glasses. From common glassware used in bars to "expert" tasting glasses. There are several more and I've had a few of them (sadly broken) but these are in my posession. At the time of writing, at least.

Glass # 1,
The shot glass. It varies sligthly in shape (often a slightly wider top than base). This is a glass best suited for Tequila and other shots. For any type of whisky you wish to get aqcuainted with it is borderline useless.

"The only time I use this glass is when I bleakly contemplate the state of the universe with Terry Lee Hale's album 'The Blue Room' on repeat"

If your plan is to get drunk with your buddies and couldn't care less of the taste as long as it's +80 proof and could'nt give a cable about tomorrow's agony and headache: this one's for you. Suits whiskies like Jim Beam (white) and cheap BS Scotch like Cluny, Lauder's and J&B. The only time I use this glass is when I bleakly contemplate the state of the universe with Terry Lee Hale's album "The Blue Room" on repeat. Sadly, it's not a dust-collector.

Glass # 2
is called the Glencairn glass and is, in my opinion, a combination of a tasting glass (#3-4) and a tumbler/rocks glass (#5-6). It's got a heavy and nice feel and captures the aromas very well but is quite thick. Looks pretty neat too, doesn't it?
I use this regularly, but mostly for Scottish and Irish blends. Particularly the latter which I tend to take in large gulps! (Powers Gold Label). The official Whisky Magazine tasting glass.

Glass # 3 and 4.
The third glass is the Ardbeg/Glenmorangie glass which is my personal favourite because it has the best shape and is also very thin (and fragile). For some reason I always tend to prefer thin glasses, be it bourbon or beer. For sampling this is a really good glass.

If you (Europeans) buy this from Glenmorangie, you can get a glass lid with it which is good for tasting events but they are ridiculously expensive. Loch Fyne Whiskies, for example, have simple glass covers that works just as good (if not better) to keep the aromas in the glass when you have a tasting with several pre-poured samples.
Number 4 also works for wine tastings which makes it an economical choice if you like both. It's a great seller in Europe I've been told, and is Diageos's official "The Six Classic Malts of Scotland" glass.

Glass # 5 and 6.
JR Ewing. He returns to his mansion after a hard day's work. He's pissed. He slanters into the living-room, with curly-haired Bobby on the sofa, grabs a heavy crystal glass and pours himself a massive bourbon and looks at Bobby with a diabolical look.
Now that's rock 'n' roll!
I adore big and really heavy tumblers. They are ideal for social drinking. The glass you use after dinner when you just want to relax. Unfortunately, it is not a very good glass for sampling whisky. I greatly enjoy the feel of these, but if I get a new whisk(e)y, I do not use a tumbler. Perhaps on very few occasions where the proof is very high, but those occasions are few and far between (+115 proof).
Of the types listed here, # 6 is my favourite for everyday drinking. The third or fourth for serious sampling when writing tasting notes.

If you are an experienced drinker (as opposed to "a drunkard") you already know what you prefer and, honestly, why have you read this far? Go have a drink! If you are starting out enjoying whiskies, use a proper glass for the right occasion. And for Heaven's sake, never - never! - drink straght from the bottle.
Unless you're an artist spreading joy.

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