Snifter
The snifter glass is another great way to serve whiskey. It’s designed specifically for the cocktail, which always seems to be a bit more flavorful. Plus, these glasses are great for sipping whiskey or using it in mixed drinks. They’re also stylish and will look great on your bar cart or table setting.
Where to use them: For whiskey cocktails, like the old-fashioned or Manhattan, you should use a snifter glass. Plus they’re perfect for adding an extra touch of class to your home bar or serving guests.
Why they’re awesome: The rounded shape creates a great amount of headspace for the whiskey drinker. This allows the whiskey to expand and fill up the glass with its aroma. Plus, it has a neat little feature where if you swirl it slightly, it will cause the whiskey to spiral around inside the glass, which makes for a great presentation when serving guests.
- Tip #1: If you want your whiskey drink to be even more flavorful, then use a snifter glass for cocktails like old fashioneds or Manhattans. You’ll also get a better idea of how much you’re getting when you pour your drink. For instance, you’ll be able to see the size of the headspace without having to sip on it.
- Tip #2: If you’re serving guests at your home bar, then have the snifter glasses rest beside your whiskey bottles. This way guests can help themselves to a few drinks without having to move away from the table or bar area.
The snifter glass is a great way to serve whiskey and it’s the ideal glass for making cocktails from your favorite liquor. It’s a stylish addition to any bar cart or table setting and provides a large amount of headspace so you can enjoy your drink slowly over time.
Double-Walled
Double-walled glasses are designed to keep your drink cool for longer, but they also help keep the frosty air out.
The glasses are made of two walls with an air space in between. The double walls act as insulation against the cold, keeping the whiskey inside colder for longer during the warmer months.
Where to use them: Double-walled glasses are ideal for high-proof liquors like whiskey and tequila. They can also be used with vodka and rum.
Why they’re awesome: If you’re into trying new things, then you’ll want to try some whiskey that’s not only full-bodied but also flavored with notes of spice. With a double-walled glass, the whiskey will stay hot longer to help mellow out the flavors.
- Tip #1: Avoid drinking straight from the double-walled glass. The air between the two walls keeps it cold longer than a standard drinking glass.
- Tip #2: If you’re not sure what the drink you’re about to imbibe is like, pour yourself a small glass of the whiskey and wait until it’s cooled down before adding anything else.
Try drinking whiskey straight out of the bottle if you want to put it in a glass. If you want to drink whiskey on the rocks or in a glass, go with double-walled.
Whiskey Glasses FAQs
What is a whiskey glass called?
The most commonly named whiskey glass is called the Old Fashioned Glass or “rocks” glass, and lowball glasses are short tumbler types of glasses. The shape of the rocks glass is designed to be multifaceted, especially to muddle and stir ingredients, and to allow a large ice cube or two.
The glass is named after the Old-Fashioned and the typical Old-Fashioned recipe is both delicious and easy to make. It calls for whiskey, bitters, orange zest, sugar cube, and in some cases cherry with perhaps a splash of grenadine and served in a rocks glass. In some cases, a highball whiskey glass can be used if the Old-Fashioned is served over large ice–typically this is the type of glass used in bars and nightclubs.
Does the glass matter for whiskey?
Yes, the types of whiskey glasses you use to enjoy whiskey are essential as the shape and whiskey glass size will influence the aromas and smells before you take your first sip, enhancing the flavors of the whiskey. The shape of the mouth of the glass will sharpen and concentrate the vapors of the whiskey, making it a more enjoyable drink.
How much does a whiskey glass hold?
In general, a typical whiskey “neat” is about 2 ounces or the average sized shot glass in the United States. If you’re curious how many ounces in a whiskey glass, you can do a pour test. The pour test is simple; take a 2-ounce shot glass and practice free pouring into the 2-ounce glass or count a 4-count as you pour.
Do whiskey glasses make a difference?
The different types of glass you use and the type of mouth opening will create different aesthetics, especially with the aromas of whiskey. For example, a tulip shaped Glencairn glass or Waterfowl Double Old-Fashioned glasses will create different effects for the smell and taste of the whiskey. It’s essential to consider the type of whiskey you plan on drinking and pair it with the correct shape and mouth of the glass.
Also, the difference between cheap whiskey glasses and higher quality whiskey glasses can impact the aromas and temperature of the whiskey in the glass, creating less desirable flavors and notes.
What to do while drinking a glass of whiskey?
Typically, whiskey drinkers sip on their beverage, so activities of a slow, relaxing tempo are ideal. You can sip on whiskey and stream Netflix for your favorite shows, have a soothing nightcap before bed, or listen to your vinyl records and other forms of music, getting into the groove of the tunes while taking in the flavors and hues of various whiskeys.
If you’re wondering the best way to hold a whiskey glass, it’s best to hold it only while drinking, the exception would be stemmed whiskey glasses, you’d hold along the stem much like a cabernet glass for wine. Holding a whiskey glass by the mouth can warm the whiskey, creating different flavors than if left untouched.
When did whiskey glasses come out?
The song, Whiskey Glasses by Morgan Wallen was published in 2018 and soon became a touring favorite. Over time Morgan Wallen saw how the crowds would lighten up and become more and more energized by the song and quickly became a heavy favorite in his repertoire.
What’s the difference between whiskey and scotch glasses?
Whiskey is a beverage made from grain and malt, and scotch is a beverage made in Scotland with noticeable smoky flavors.
In essence, the drinks are the same, except for one distinction, scotch is a type of whiskey but not every whiskey is scotch. The distinction is that scotch whiskey is solely made in Scotland. As such, there are no differences in the types of glasses to enjoy whiskey or scotch.
Are whiskey and bourbon glasses the same?
Whiskey is grain alcohol made with corn. Bourbon is a variation of whiskey with strict ingredient lists, aged in oak barrels.
To be considered Bourbon, it must be manufactured in the United States, specifically Kentucky and Tennessee. There are small differences in the types of whiskey glasses to enjoy these beverages, but they are generally interchangeable.
Why do whiskey glasses have bumps on the bottom?
A whiskey glass’s predominant shape and design highlight the whiskey’s flavor profiles and aromas. To do this effectively, the shape of the glass is critical, including the thick bottom and bumps along the surface of the bottom of the glass. The wide, bumpy bases are to help minimize heat from surfaces and while being held, which can impact vapors and flavors.
How to Choose The Best Whiskey Glass
When selecting the best types of whiskey glasses for drinking, keep in mind that the shape of the body and mouth enhance specific notes, making for a more enjoyable beverage. The best whiskey snifter glasses are the tulip-shaped copita glass is considered the best glass to sip quality whiskey, but depending on if you’ll be enjoying the whiskey straight or as a cocktail does determine the type and shape of the glass.
Final thoughts
There are plenty of whiskey glasses out there. From old-fashioned glasses to big stemmed cocktail glasses, you can find a great glass as long as you know what to look for.
However, the 4 best whiskey glasses out there are the snifter glass, the shot glass, the rocks glass, and the Glencairn. I’d recommend going with either a snifter or a rocks glass for your home bar and I recommend a Glencairn if you want to know how to make perfect whiskey drinks.
So there you have it! Ten glasses that can make you a whiskey expert. The best thing about choosing the right type of whiskey glass is that there isn’t really a wrong choice here. It depends on what your tastes are and what type of spirits you’re looking to focus on.
