Whiskey is a versatile and complex spirit that is manufactured and enjoyed the world over.
From Scotland and Japan to the USA and India, hordes of connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike take their favourite tipple neat, on the rocks, with water or in a cocktail.
But did you know that the type of glassware you use to serve your whiskey can actually have a significant impact on your drinking experience?
In fact, in this era of craft cocktails and artisanal spirits, your enjoyment levels can be majorly elevated just by choosing the right glass.
From classic tumblers to modern snifters, there are many options available, each of which comes in different shapes and sizes and has been specifically designed to enhance the aroma and flavour of the usquebaugh.
To help you maximise your enjoyment of the water of life, here are 12 of the best whiskey glasses to enjoy your favourite spirit.
1. The NEAT Artisan Glass
If you are the kind of person who takes your whiskey drinking seriously then you’ll want to start drinking out of a NEAT Artisan Glass.
This glass is a unique type of drinking vessel that was designed specifically for the enjoyment of spirits. It is the result of years of research by a team of designers and scientists who sought to create a glass that would allow the full range of aromas and flavours in spirits to be experienced.
Boasting a distinctive shape that allows for the spirit to be swirled to release its aroma, the glass is made of high-quality, lead-free crystal.
It is very easy to hold, which is useful if you happen to be standing up whilst drinking. It is also dishwasher safe, which means you don’t need to take special precautions to clean it.
2. Elixir Distillers Blenders 1920S Glass
Named after the style of glassware that was commonly used by whiskey blenders in the 1920s, the Elixir Distillers Blenders 1920s Glass is easily recognisable.
Featuring a heavy base, which gives it a stable footing and prevents it from tipping over, the unique glass possesses a wide bowl and a short, thick stem. This makes swirling your whiskey very straightforward and enables you to better release its aroma.
The glass also has a beautiful clarity and shine to it, as well as weight and thickness which helps to insulate your whiskey, thus maintaining it at the optimal temperature for longer.
Overall it is a good all-rounder that is suitable for single malts, blends, and bourbons.
3. Riedel Tumbler Shadows Collection
The Riedel Tumbler Shadows Collection is a stylish and very functional range of whiskey glass that would grace any home bar or dining table.
Designed by the Austrian glassware company Riedel, they are well-crafted and versatile, coming in four different tints and shapes.
Made from crystal glass, they are available in a smoke, indigo, amber or rosé colour and can be used for cocktails, water, wine and, of course, whiskey.
4. Tom Dixon Whiskey Tank Glass
Part of the iconic Tank Collection, the Tom Dixon Whiskey Tank Glass is a standout in the field of spirit glassware.
Crafted of high-quality, mouth-blown glass, which gives it a beautiful and unique texture, it has a distinctive shape, comprising a heavy, rounded base and a tapered mouth that is intended to enhance the aroma and flavour of your whiskey.
Notably, the glass also has a hand-painted copper band around the base, which affords it a rather cool, modern and sophisticated look. This band is not just there for show as it cleverly helps to insulate the whiskey.
Whether you are sipping on Jack Daniel’s or savouring a Mortlach 70-Year-Old Speyside, this is a terrific glass in which to do so.
5. Lismore Connoisseur Waterford Crystal Straight-Sided 5oz Tumbler
If you are a real aficionado of the water of life then the chances are you already have a Lismore Connoisseur Waterford Crystal Straight-Sided 5oz Tumbler to drink out of.
One of the best whiskey glasses currently available, this top-notch glass is part of the Lismore Connoisseur Collection, which is renowned for its elegant and sophisticated design.
Specifically designed for the enjoyment of fine spirits, the glass features a short stem and a wide, flat foot, which gives it a stable base and makes it easy to hold.
For this reason, it is a great option for tasting fine spirits, as it allows the drinker to appreciate the nuances and complexities of the spirit without compromising on stability or comfort.
6. Plumm Everyday Whisky Glass
Though it might look like a wine glass, make no mistake the Plumm Everyday Whisky Glass has been created solely for the purpose of drinking whiskey.
With its tall height and wide rim, the glass has been cleverly designed to enhance the textures, flavours and aromas of the spirit.
Made from European crystal which is lead-free it might not be the most elegant glass on this list, but you won’t care a jot when you are sipping on your favourite Jim Bean or Glenfiddich.
7. Georg Jensen Low SKY Tumbler
Designed by Aurélien Barbry, the Georg Jensen Low SKY Tumbler is part of the iconic SKY Collection.
Noted for its simple, modern and sleek curved shape this versatile piece of glassware can be used for drinking water, juice, and cocktails, as well as your favourite brand of whiskey.
With its low profile it is pretty easy to hold and its wide base makes it stable, so it won’t tip over. It is also quite durable and long-lasting as a result of its thick glass walls which are made of lead free crystal.
8. Glencairn Whiskey Glass
If you have ever drunk whiskey in Scotland or Ireland there is a strong chance you would have been given a Glencairn Whiskey Glass.
The ubiquitous whisky was created by Glencairn Crystal, a Scottish crystal company, in collaboration with whisky experts in 2001 and is now so prevalent, it is practically in every bar in both countries.
Radiating an old-world charm and a slightly medieval feel, the glass possesses a striking inward-curved shape that not only looks classy but also enables you to savour the whiskey’s nose and palate.
It’s the kind of glass you can imagine yourself sipping from whilst you sit by a fire on a cold night.
9. Krosno Duet Whiskey Glass
Deriving from Poland, the Krosno Duet Whiskey Glass is one of the more unusual glasses on this list.
A double-walled glass, it actually has an inner and outer layer of glass that is separated by a small air gap. This innovative design helps to insulate the whisky, therefore ensuring it is kept at a consistent temperature for a much longer period of time.
The unique look of the glass also makes the whisky appear like it is suspended in the air between the layers of glass, which is a pretty cool feature.
As the capacity of the glass is 300 ml it is very good for swirling and sipping. Its wide base and sturdy construction make it comfortable to hold, while the inward-curving rim of the glass helps to concentrate the aroma of the whisky, allowing for a more nuanced sensory experience.
10. Luigi Bormioli Spirits Mixology Glass
Created from a collaboration with the acclaimed Milanese mixologist and barman, Yuri Gelmini, the Luigi Bormioli Spirits Mixology Glass is a work of art.
Oozing the kind of class and sophistication that can only come from vintage-inspired, fine Italian craftsmanship, the glass is specifically designed for drinking spirits such as whiskey, gin, and rum.
While it is one of the pricier glasses on this list, you’ll feel like a millionaire drinking out of it. For this reason, it is a good glass to set aside for special occasions when it’s just you and your favourite whiskey.
11. Specialty Spiegelau Snifter Whiskey Glass
In true German style, the Specialty Spiegelau Snifter Whiskey Glass is somewhat no frills in look, but it does the job perfectly.
Made by Spiegelau and specifically designed for drinking whiskey, this expertly crafted, elongated glass is purposely thin, which allows for a more delicate drinking experience and ensures that the whiskey is the star of the show.
12. Lucaris Gran Classic Collection
Last but not least there is the Lucaris Gran Classic Collection.
Created for balanced whiskies, the glass features a tulip shape and classic stemmed style.
It is part of the iconic Gràn Collection and comprises four tasting glasses, each of which has been inspired by grain and optimised for key whiskey distinction.
So whether you are into Scotch, Irish, Tennessee, Canadian, Japanese, bourbon or rye whiskey, it will help to accentuate the flavours and aromas of each.