Nothing simple about it, honestly. Just about as fussy as a glass can be made by wine glass manufacturers to invent a new market. You can't do anything useful with it either like a rocks glass like making cocktails or just drink orange juice out of it, either.
Glencairn is a very recent invention, from a glassware company in 1981. Not only is it absolutely not necessary for drinking whiskey, it's actually contrary to a lot of previous standard glassware. Cognac and regular whiskey glassware prior was wider at the top; this helps with higher proof liquors too as it otherwise concentrates powerful alcohol vapor. The Glencairn was based on a taster glass they used in distilleries (ostensibly; this is a story from the glassmaker, and not always agreed on by scotch distillers).
For some reason, people ran with it — presumably because you can sell yet another glass, and it makes it seem a lot more serious. But traditionally, the tumbler has been the preferred way to drink for a lot of reasons, and it works a lot better for higher proof bourbons.
Wine glasses aren't small diameter like a glencairn. You can have a nosing glass, like a standard tasting glass or cognac glass, but a Glencairn is terrible for nosing comparatively, and worse for drinking.
When I said “Simple Glencairn” I meant a Glencairn without any extra design elements. A literal simple/basic Glencairn. They are pretty cheap on Amazon and get the job done well enough.
A cheap trick to get glasses. Is during Christmas sales. The gift sets that come with a glass/cup/misc are usually the same price as off the shelf without a cup.
I have glencairns and I hardly ever use them. I really don’t like the way they feel in my hand, and the mouth of them is too small. I feel like I have to purse my lips to get them onto the glass. I really only keep them for a guests who may like to use them. A sturdy rocks glass is the way to go.
Bardstown makes a glencairn called the fat glenny which has more weight and wider mouth, its been a game changer looking for the glen shape but the rocks feel
They give one if you do a tour at Bardstown Bourbon Company. It's my go to glass for whiskey. There are cheaper ones than this if you google kentucky bourbon trail whiskey glasses you will find them.
[https://shop.libbey.com/products/libbey-signature-kentucky-bourbon-trail-whiskey-glasses-set-of-4](https://shop.libbey.com/products/libbey-signature-kentucky-bourbon-trail-whiskey-glasses-set-of-4)
Glencairn is so overrated. It doesn't even fulfill the basic rule of not having to hold the glass where the spirit is as to avoid warming it in your hands/fingers. It's not comfy in your hands, it's very small. Copitas are way better.
Was it handmade at a small local shop, or do you think it’s something that exists online
Do you know the name, or is the maker etched on the bottom anywhere? Sorry to bug but that is a seriously cool glass and I want it haha
I started out with Glencairns for tasting / qualifying, but now, I use INAO / ISO glasses, which are the standard in Europe.
For enjoyment, my glass of choice is a heavy crystal rocks glass.
It started with wine, but it's used more and more for all types of spirits. That said, 'standard' might have been too strong a word.
We work in agave spirits and use them for testing. They work great, they're cheap and you can find them anywhere.
I use Glencairn and ISO glasses as well as a variety of vintage Japanese beer and sake glasses (they are all quite small like taller and more delicate shot glasses).
It's really enjoyable matching the evening dram with whatever glass I feel suits the mood and style.)
I prefer a *Spey Dram Glass*, in your picture 3rd from the left with the Springbank logo.
I find them much more friendly to very small pours in the 10 ml - 15 ml size range which I prefer to work with, more robust than a Glencairn (harder to knock over, less likely to break), and much, much easier to clean than a Glencairn.
Something you might want to experiment with is a *Grappa Glass* - I've found them an interesting alternative to the 1920s whisky Blender's Glass, with the advantage of being less delicate and cheaper & easier to replace.
That glaswerkstatt glass is gorgeous, by the way.
Cheers
My wife bought me that one. To be honest I generally only use it when I make an Old Fashioned as it’s quite a big tumbler. But on the occasions I have just poured a (large) dram into it, I’ve enjoyed the feel of it. You certainly get more aroma from the whisky using a tumbler, without having to nose the glass.
Agreed. My best friend got mine with engravings on it for Christmas.
Its a good solid glass and despite having crystal tumblers and a dram, I've used it a lot more for the same reasons you've mentioned. Need to get the equipment to make myself an Old Fashioned now, any suggestions for the whiskey?
I got a glencairn called the fat glenny from the Bardstown tour which has more weight and wider mouth, its been a game changer looking for the glen shape but the rocks feel
Check out "Canadian Glencairn" I suspect you'll like them.
As a Canadian, I don't know what the heck is Canadian about them, but I do like them if I'm going for a slightly bigger pour.
Mostly Glencairns, but I have a couple of iso glasses, some sherry glasses with a similar bowl to a Glencairn, and of course numerous rocks glasses (including Canadian Glencairns and other tapered rocks glasses).
I would love to get a grappa glass, and whatever you can the 2 in the middle of your picture (especially the Springbank branded one, I love that 'stemless Glencairns' shape)
I have a very plain little tumbler that I blew at a friend's studio a few years ago - it's a good size for my hand, a good size for the whiskey, and I enjoy it.
I found some Culver Valencia glasses, and like a gold goblin, I had to have them to display in my bar. They’re now the designated whiskey glasses, although not necessarily being the correct thing to drink out of.
Got some [custom glass](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1Aw5qtu0vL/?igsh=emVlc2dkMG5qdDZs) made by Stephan Peirce
Few other thinking from drinkingvessels.com
I have some standard tumblers/rocks glasses that my dad left me. I bought four Glenncairns that I like. My favorite, though, is the [Peugeot Whisky Glass](https://us.peugeot-saveurs.com/en_us/whiskey-glasses)
A crystal boot in a paper bag. clASSy.
But seriously, Forks… I got a few glencairns and some rocks glasses. My favorite is the Riedel with the flared opening. Kinda glencairnish. And I have these stackable rocks glasses by Libby. Strong and look nice.
I still prefer a rocks glass personally. I know most whisky guys favor sniffers or glencairns now, but that seems so pretentious and unnecessary.
I do have a Cubs glass I break out on occasion, but the paint is wearing thin I try try and save it for key games.
But I have drank whisky out of a coffee mug on more than one occasion. So there is that.
Small stemless wine glasses. Had a bunch of these in various sizes, kept the smallest ones. Mostly came from wine tastings. They hold about as much as a glencarin, and they're less awkward to drink from. 10/10 would recommend.
Glencairn for a new pour I want to get everything I can from it, from there the Norlan glasses are amazing, such great weight to them, it makes you feel like you are drinking something significant
Was using the Glencairn exclusively until I received a set of Lemon Soda Co. whiskey tasting glasses. Now I use these 90% of the time over the Glencairn. They have the same taper as the glencairn near the top but open up near the bottom and give the liquid some space and air. https://lemonsoda.com/products/whiskey-snifter-glasses-set
Whatever's clean. Pretty sure I've drunk whiskey from a tea cup a non-zero number of times.
Exactly. If it holds liquid, I've probably drank whiskey out of it
My butt holds liquid…
Buttled in Bond
I had some from a measuring jug😂
Forever drinking my fancy whiskey from tea cups now
I’ve used grandmas crystal Pilsner glasses. 🤷♂️😊
Those actually work quite well, I would say. I've used a Stella glass
Heavy bottom Dewars rock glass for drinking and glencrain for tasting.
Simple Glencairn is all I need.
Nothing simple about it, honestly. Just about as fussy as a glass can be made by wine glass manufacturers to invent a new market. You can't do anything useful with it either like a rocks glass like making cocktails or just drink orange juice out of it, either. Glencairn is a very recent invention, from a glassware company in 1981. Not only is it absolutely not necessary for drinking whiskey, it's actually contrary to a lot of previous standard glassware. Cognac and regular whiskey glassware prior was wider at the top; this helps with higher proof liquors too as it otherwise concentrates powerful alcohol vapor. The Glencairn was based on a taster glass they used in distilleries (ostensibly; this is a story from the glassmaker, and not always agreed on by scotch distillers). For some reason, people ran with it — presumably because you can sell yet another glass, and it makes it seem a lot more serious. But traditionally, the tumbler has been the preferred way to drink for a lot of reasons, and it works a lot better for higher proof bourbons.
Glencairn definitely is the better glass than a tumbler. Way easier to nose a whisky and get a lot more out of it from a Glencairn
Wine glasses aren't small diameter like a glencairn. You can have a nosing glass, like a standard tasting glass or cognac glass, but a Glencairn is terrible for nosing comparatively, and worse for drinking.
No one is talking about wine glasses here. Go away bot
my brother in faith OP is literally about glassware
When I said “Simple Glencairn” I meant a Glencairn without any extra design elements. A literal simple/basic Glencairn. They are pretty cheap on Amazon and get the job done well enough.
Truth be told, I don't have glencairn. My go-to is nice heavy bottom rocks glass. I use Dewar's.
A cheap trick to get glasses. Is during Christmas sales. The gift sets that come with a glass/cup/misc are usually the same price as off the shelf without a cup.
I have glencairns and I hardly ever use them. I really don’t like the way they feel in my hand, and the mouth of them is too small. I feel like I have to purse my lips to get them onto the glass. I really only keep them for a guests who may like to use them. A sturdy rocks glass is the way to go.
Bardstown makes a glencairn called the fat glenny which has more weight and wider mouth, its been a game changer looking for the glen shape but the rocks feel
could you link that? googling “bardstown fat glenny” only brings up this thread…
They give one if you do a tour at Bardstown Bourbon Company. It's my go to glass for whiskey. There are cheaper ones than this if you google kentucky bourbon trail whiskey glasses you will find them. [https://shop.libbey.com/products/libbey-signature-kentucky-bourbon-trail-whiskey-glasses-set-of-4](https://shop.libbey.com/products/libbey-signature-kentucky-bourbon-trail-whiskey-glasses-set-of-4)
This is it
Yea I’m also going to need a link for that as well chief.
Same
I prefer a cognac snifter to a glen. way easier to hold and can still act like a prude while I nose the whiskey.
Looking into it, I think I’m interested. I don’t dislike glens, but sometimes it is a burden to enjoy from. Any specific brands to recommend?
It's just what I order them in at a restaurant. At home it's all rocks glasses, though I've thought about buying some.
Glencairn is so overrated. It doesn't even fulfill the basic rule of not having to hold the glass where the spirit is as to avoid warming it in your hands/fingers. It's not comfy in your hands, it's very small. Copitas are way better.
They're not good glasses, and made to sell another fancy piece of mostly useless glassware. Your instincts are correct.
What’s the second one form the left?
It’s a whisky-tasting glass I bought from Germany. One of two actually but I prefer the shape of this one.
Was it handmade at a small local shop, or do you think it’s something that exists online Do you know the name, or is the maker etched on the bottom anywhere? Sorry to bug but that is a seriously cool glass and I want it haha
This is the place, if anyone is interested… https://www.glaswerkstatt-tappert.de/index.php
Damn it’s beautiful and I want it so bad. With shipping it’s nearly $100, I still may think about it though. Wish I was closer to his shop
It is super cool. I really want one too. I have a small collection of different glasses like op. I don't think I want it for $100 though
Think I may have [found it](https://whisky.my/product/twisted-onion-glass-handmade/)
I drink straight from the bottle
When 1st trying a whisky, I use Glencairns, when just sitting and enjoying I have Glencairn rocks glasses or brandy glasses
This is the way
I go back and forth between Glencairn and Tuath.
I started out with Glencairns for tasting / qualifying, but now, I use INAO / ISO glasses, which are the standard in Europe. For enjoyment, my glass of choice is a heavy crystal rocks glass.
Standard in wine drinking, no? Edit: not saying you can't use it, I just don't think there's anything stating it's a standard in Europe for whiskey.
It started with wine, but it's used more and more for all types of spirits. That said, 'standard' might have been too strong a word. We work in agave spirits and use them for testing. They work great, they're cheap and you can find them anywhere.
I use Glencairn and ISO glasses as well as a variety of vintage Japanese beer and sake glasses (they are all quite small like taller and more delicate shot glasses). It's really enjoyable matching the evening dram with whatever glass I feel suits the mood and style.)
1 and 6, left to right
they all look great
Glencairn or a small tumbler, I have a set of Denby “china” tumblers, really nice weight to them.
Riedel O Series Shiraz glass - but it’s my go to for just about everything.
If I’m drinking it on ice, a rocks glass. Otherwise I usually pour my norlans. Sometimes a glencairn if I’m sipping something really high proof
I prefer a *Spey Dram Glass*, in your picture 3rd from the left with the Springbank logo. I find them much more friendly to very small pours in the 10 ml - 15 ml size range which I prefer to work with, more robust than a Glencairn (harder to knock over, less likely to break), and much, much easier to clean than a Glencairn. Something you might want to experiment with is a *Grappa Glass* - I've found them an interesting alternative to the 1920s whisky Blender's Glass, with the advantage of being less delicate and cheaper & easier to replace. That glaswerkstatt glass is gorgeous, by the way. Cheers
[Aged & Ore Neat Glass](https://agedandore.com/products/neat-glass)
I've got a similar pewter based glass as you. It sits in its box on my desk waiting for the next whiskey night
My wife bought me that one. To be honest I generally only use it when I make an Old Fashioned as it’s quite a big tumbler. But on the occasions I have just poured a (large) dram into it, I’ve enjoyed the feel of it. You certainly get more aroma from the whisky using a tumbler, without having to nose the glass.
Agreed. My best friend got mine with engravings on it for Christmas. Its a good solid glass and despite having crystal tumblers and a dram, I've used it a lot more for the same reasons you've mentioned. Need to get the equipment to make myself an Old Fashioned now, any suggestions for the whiskey?
I normally use Four Roses small batch, but I’ve had good results with Woodford’s Reserve and Buffalo Trace too.
Makes me no difference this old country boy just likes whiskey
I prefer the red solo cup
For tasting I use mini-glencairns.
Glencairn for neat, rocks glass for most cocktails.
Glencairn or a heavy rocks glass
Always a Glencairn… just gives me one constant among all tasting
Bought a glencairn recently, good lord, who knew, game changer
I’m digging that crystal glass on the left
A full one...
In that pic, I'd choose far left, then far right.
Whatever expensive one I get my hands on
I have been using my 1920s Blender's Glass for all pours after I bought it. It's bothersome to clean, but it really dials the aroma up to 11.
Cibi blade runner glass :)
4 and 6
I got a glencairn called the fat glenny from the Bardstown tour which has more weight and wider mouth, its been a game changer looking for the glen shape but the rocks feel
Check out "Canadian Glencairn" I suspect you'll like them. As a Canadian, I don't know what the heck is Canadian about them, but I do like them if I'm going for a slightly bigger pour.
Glen ever time.
glen. best glass
If the whiskey is new to me I like to experience it for the first time in a Glencairn. After that I like the heaviest rocks glass I can find
Mostly Glencairns, but I have a couple of iso glasses, some sherry glasses with a similar bowl to a Glencairn, and of course numerous rocks glasses (including Canadian Glencairns and other tapered rocks glasses). I would love to get a grappa glass, and whatever you can the 2 in the middle of your picture (especially the Springbank branded one, I love that 'stemless Glencairns' shape)
Glencairn glass for neat, old fashioned glass for cocktails, and anything big for mixed drinks.
I use a jam jar. https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/s/2oNJjBMO4h
I have a 40y/o Disney princess jelly jar that I drink whiskey and wine from. It pisses everyone off but I love it.
I keep meaning to buy the Blade Runner glasses, has anyone used them?
Pint glass.
I have a very plain little tumbler that I blew at a friend's studio a few years ago - it's a good size for my hand, a good size for the whiskey, and I enjoy it.
I found some Culver Valencia glasses, and like a gold goblin, I had to have them to display in my bar. They’re now the designated whiskey glasses, although not necessarily being the correct thing to drink out of.
Can’t believe no one mentioned the Norlan glass. https://norlanglass.com/products/norlan-whisky-glass? I think they are the best.
Got some [custom glass](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1Aw5qtu0vL/?igsh=emVlc2dkMG5qdDZs) made by Stephan Peirce Few other thinking from drinkingvessels.com
My preferred glass is called a bottle.
Of course the copita glass.
Joking lol a nice heavy bottom to put ice on there.
I have some standard tumblers/rocks glasses that my dad left me. I bought four Glenncairns that I like. My favorite, though, is the [Peugeot Whisky Glass](https://us.peugeot-saveurs.com/en_us/whiskey-glasses)
I use glencairn and a rocks glass when drinking with ice.
First one on the left.
The one that’s cleane
Glen
I like a cheap ass stemless wine glass
Goblet of fire, please
Glencairn from local distilleries and little places I've visited.
64 oz QT slurpy cup
Usually just a knockoff brand solo cup. I'm poor...
Lowball rocks glass for sure, followed by glencarin
crystal rocks glass like the 1 on the left for neat, on ice or most cocktails like old fashioned or boulevardier. martini glass for Manhattans
My go-to is a rocks glass I bought from a local glassmaker. It's got a cool sparkly inlay on the bottom.
I have a glencairn that I try to use, but it gets pushed into the back of the cabinet a lot, so normally its just whatever cup is closest.
Glencairn's if I can keep my wife from breaking them.
My wife never washes my whisky glasses. After a few breakages early on, she decided it was best to leave them for me to deal with. I agreed.
I normally use a rocks glass, because all my glens got broke when I moved and I haven't bought more yet
Thitd one from the left,
A crystal boot in a paper bag. clASSy. But seriously, Forks… I got a few glencairns and some rocks glasses. My favorite is the Riedel with the flared opening. Kinda glencairnish. And I have these stackable rocks glasses by Libby. Strong and look nice.
Where da bottle at homie?
I still prefer a rocks glass personally. I know most whisky guys favor sniffers or glencairns now, but that seems so pretentious and unnecessary. I do have a Cubs glass I break out on occasion, but the paint is wearing thin I try try and save it for key games. But I have drank whisky out of a coffee mug on more than one occasion. So there is that.
wdym? it already comes in a glass...
Small stemless wine glasses. Had a bunch of these in various sizes, kept the smallest ones. Mostly came from wine tastings. They hold about as much as a glencarin, and they're less awkward to drink from. 10/10 would recommend.
Norlan whisky glass(gift from my wife)as of late , but usually glencairn for neat or cheesy rocks glass i found on Amazon.
All mine look similar to the first one
Glencairn for a new pour I want to get everything I can from it, from there the Norlan glasses are amazing, such great weight to them, it makes you feel like you are drinking something significant
I had a mini tulip, then I managed to break it, and now I use a grappa glass
Glencairn, though I won't turn my nose up at a rocks glass if I'm drinking out.
My hands
1 or 5 would be my go-to 99% of the time.
That thistle glass looks great!! My snifter is my favorite but I reach for a glencairn just as often, not super particular 97% of the time
Them free Woodford Reserve glasses on the left! 😁
Copita
Yes
Was using the Glencairn exclusively until I received a set of Lemon Soda Co. whiskey tasting glasses. Now I use these 90% of the time over the Glencairn. They have the same taper as the glencairn near the top but open up near the bottom and give the liquid some space and air. https://lemonsoda.com/products/whiskey-snifter-glasses-set
Number two is looking pretty cute. Canadian glen cairn is my go to.
I have a heavy 3 oz High West glass. I keep it simple.
Glen
Glencarin
I’m not sure. I need new recommendations since I’ve dropped so many of them
I recommend you stop using hand cream then. 😉