Does the glass I use to sip my whisky really matter? This is a complicated question that new (and sometime seasoned) connoisseurs often ask. Imagine drinking Cabernet from a champagne flute! Perish the thought! Well, the whiskey glass you select is every bit as important to the overall experience. You may notice that both whisky and whiskey are used throughout this article. To learn more about why the difference in spelling can be found in this article, http://bit.ly/whiskyorwhiskey

The Whisky Tasting Experience and Why the Glass Matters

Tasting whiskey is a sensory journey. First, the eyes notice the hue of the liquid, then the nose inhales the rich undertones, and finally, the taste as it passes through the lips, across the tongue, and palate all add to the experience. Your choice of whiskey tasting glasses matters and will impact the flavor. To not only taste something but experience it then you must have a combination of taste and smell. Ideally, you want to ‘nose’ your whiskey before you let the liquid flow across your tongue and palate. The glass helps to concentrate the smell, so it reaches your nose nicely to capture the enchanting notes of the spirit.

Of course, you can use any type of glass to drink a beverage but the composition of the glass, the shape, how it’s made, the feel of it in your hands, and against your lips all matter. Yes, the glass creates an ambiance and adds to your enjoyment. However, you might be surprised to learn that there is science behind the glassware choices used to drink liquors. The shape of the receptacle influences how you perceive the taste and smell of the whisky. The design of your tasting vessel intensifies the vapors towards the rim so your nose can readily inhale the aroma and undertones of the spirit.

Exploring the Composition of the Best Whiskey Glasses

For millennia, mankind has used glass to fashion beverage containers. Glass is made from a combination of silica sand and other minerals such as limestone and ash. Unlike modern plastics, glass does not absorb chemical smells. Nor does it corrode like certain metals. Best of all, you can easily wash it with a combination of soap and water to create a sanitized and safe surface.

Drawbacks of Traditional Glass

Although glass has its highlights, it is not crystal clear as lead crystal or lead-free crystal. Glass also breaks easily unless it’s exceptionally thick and heavy. Unfortunately, a thick rim on a whisky glass is not favored as it is with a beer stein. People enjoy chugging beer, so a thick mug makes the act easy, but you do not speedily gulp whiskey. Instead, you sip quality whisky, so the best whiskey glasses or bourbon glasses are fashioned with a thin rim which makes the entire whiskey tasting experience not only easier but more pleasurable.

Crystal Glassware

Crystal glassware is exceptionally refined and far surpasses typical glass. Created in the 1600s, glassblowers discovered that if they added lead oxide to the glass material then it started to melt easier and created an improved appearance.

To be labeled ‘crystal’ the European Union which is regulated by the Council Directive 69/493/EEC has various categories of crystal glassware that are defined by their chemical composition and the various compositions found in the construction material:

• Lead crystal must contain less than 24 percent lead oxide
• Crystalline or crystal glass contains less lead oxide and has other metal oxides that substitute for the lead oxide.

In the United States, crystal glass must contain only one percent lead oxide.

Safety of Crystal Whisky Glasses

Nowadays, many people worry about the lead content found in whisky glasses that have been fashioned from crystal because lead is typically considered toxic. However, usually, the small amount of lead in whisky glasses is perfectly safe if you don’t let the liquid sit in the glass for an extended amount of time. Please remember that some choose to pour their liquor into crystal decanters for extended periods of time which can expose their spirit to lead.

Lead-Free Crystal ( or Crystalline) Glasses

Lead-free crystal are all excellent choices when picking the best glass for whiskey enjoyment. The glasses are created by replacing the lead oxide in the product of the glass with barium oxide, potassium oxide, or zinc oxide which all provides for a beautiful sparkle that is comparable to lead crystal glasses but also lends to greater durability than traditional glass. The cost for lead-free crystal glasses also tends to be less expensive than their leaded brethren’s.

Price of Unique Crystal Whisky Glasses

Crystal scotch glasses or bourbon glasses carry a higher price tag than traditional glass, partially due to their aesthetics in that they are highly refractive (light bending power).  They can also be fashioned thinner than traditional glass and still retains its durability which is prized for whisky drinking glasses. Some may balk at the price of crystal or lead-free crystal whisky glasses but it’s important to note that the investment you make in your whisky glass set will certainly add to your tasting experience and last for years to come. Your whiskey glasses can give you reason to celebrate every day.

Hand Blown Whiskey Glasses

Without a doubt, there is something special about hand blown whiskey glasses. They are made by a craftsman. Each one is a unique work-of-art that may have slight imperfections which only adds to the glass’s quintessential appeal. The best scotch glasses or bourbon glasses that are hand blown,  balance look, feel, weight and science which as mentioned before all add to your experience. No two are exactly alike but the better creators of hand blown glassware minimizes any variance from glass to glass. Germany, Austria, Poland and France, all have a reputation for producing some of the best hand blown glass pieces. Other glass artisans across the globe are also now turning their focus to creating quality modern whiskey glasses with the growing popularity of this spirit.

Whiskey Glass Options

Historically, whiskey was served in a simple shot glass, rocks glass, or the Glencairn glass. Nowadays, there are a wide assortment of glass shapes to consider. Let’s explore some of the more familiar.

• Shot Glass: Sadly, when you drink whiskey out of a shot glass there is no real sensation. The nose cannot reach the smell of the whiskey, so the flavor is diminished. The design of the classic shot glass just does not direct the alcohol’s vapors. The entire olfactory experience fails.
• Rocks Glass: The rocks glass (also referred to as the tumbler) is the opposite of the shot glass. The wide rim tends to mute the ‘nose’ of your whisky. Rocks glasses tend to be better for whiskey cocktails or for those who must have plenty of ice or an ‘ice ball’.
• Highball: The highball is fashioned in the shape of the tumbler but taller. It is ideal for whisky cocktails because it will hold plenty of ice and mixers.
• Glencairn: The Glencairn has a tulip shape that enhances the fragrance and lets you comfortably sip. When you place the rim of the glass against your lips the shape pushes the fragrance towards your nose before you sip. The Glencairn is a popular choice amongst whisky consumers. There are now modern options to the glencairn that provides for a similar experience. See G500 here, http://bit.ly/AmberG500

• Tulip glass: Also referred to as the copita, is a Spanish glass that is favored for sipping sherry and has grown in popularity for whiskies alike. The glass was once called a ‘dock’ glass because it was used to nose spirits and wines at the docksides. The long stem prevents the drinker’s hand from getting too close to the nose and possibly contaminating the bowl’s concentrated aromas. The glass fits nicely in the hand and is now a favorite option amongst whisky drinkers.
• Snifter: The Snifter (called the balloon or cognac glass). Traditionally favored for cognac which provides for an exceptional nosing experience. It can be held in a horizontal position without worry about inadvertently spilling the contents. This design has been modified for whisky consumers to deliver an enhanced nose and delicate sip. One of the best options in this category is The Professional Whisky Glass set which can be found here, http://bit.ly/WoWProGlass

• Whisky Glasses with lids: Not a category but a growing phenomenon in the whisky glass world. The lid concentrates and prevents the dissipation of aromatics when tasting whisky. Some aficionados also like to sip and revisit their pour minutes or dozens of minutes later to allow for some oxidation which can alter the taste. The lid prevents unwelcomed guest (insects) from enjoying your whisky when left unattended. Also works great for the same reason when tasting outdoors. Amber Glass from Poland has been one of the pioneers in creating glasses with lids. Options from Amber Glass can be found here http://bit.ly/AmberGlassCollection

Drinking whisky is pure enjoyment for any aficionado and the glass is a part of the ‘ritual’ that adds to the overall experience. A handblown (handcrafted) glass that suits your personality can truly elevate your whisky tasting experience. Celebrate every day and select your favorite whisky glass at www.wonderswhisky.com.

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