Best Whiskey Glasses
After a long day at work, there’s nothing more relaxing than coming home and pouring a glass of premium aged whiskey. There’s no arguing the importance of choosing a quality spirit for optimum flavor and pleasure, but a true connoisseur also understands that the right whiskey glass can elevate the experience to a whole new level.
Not all glasses are created equal, especially when it comes to the beverage you choose to toast a milestone event or close a special deal.
The weight, design, and grip are all important and a quality scotch should have room to breathe and remain accessible to the nose and palate. The best whiskey glasses ensure the liquid is easy to swirl, is not too cloistered and feels comfortable in your hand.
Imagine how the right glass will enhance your enjoyment of a fine whiskey, bourbon or scotch, no matter the occasion.
We feature five whiskey glasses you can buy online. Read on to find the ones to enhance your drinking experience.
Top Pick Best Glencairn: Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass
You take great pride in the area of your home where you’ve set up a bar, the place you gravitate to after a long day at work. The place you bring your friends to taste the carefully curated spirits that bring you a special level of joy. While you have an assortment of quality glassware to accommodate your drinking needs, you’re now looking for a glencairn-styled glass.
The most common whisky glass that is used for whisky tastings, this glencairn design by Stözle is so impressive, it won the 2006 Queen’s Award for Innovation. Made from transparent, lustrous lead-free crystal, the glass showcases a simple elegance that complements your favorite whiskey and will be the best choice for smelling and tasting the different notes of individual whiskeys.
As with most classic glencairn designs, the thicker vessel allows you to swirl your dram with consummate ease. The heavy base feels sturdy in your hand, while staying low on the table. You can pick up the glass to gaze through the liquid without your hand blocking the view.
Elegant without being pretentious or overly complicated, the tulip shape above the base of the glass allows for a nice quick swirl, and the smaller mouth concentrates the aromas in a way that does not overwhelm.
Perfect for experiencing different whiskeys, you won’t regret adding these whiskey glasses to your home bar collection.
Pros:
- Award-winning design
- Lead-free crystal
- Good for whiskey tastings
- Set of 6
Cons:
- Recommended for a neat drink as there isn’t much room for ice cubes
Top Pick Best Old Fashioned: LIITON Whiskey Glass Set of 4
If you’re new to the whiskey drinking game, or you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for the whiskey connoisseur in your life, you may want to check out this classic old-fashioned whiskey glass set.
Beautifully constructed with a unique mountain range design running along the inside of each glass, these old-fashioned whiskey tumblers from LIITON would make a practical and eye-catching addition to any home bar.
The mountainside rocks and stone design gently aerates the whiskey by mixing it with air. Swirling around your drink creates a truly enjoyable whiskey tasting experience and there’s no need for an aerator or decanter to let the whiskey breathe and “open up”.
This spectacular glass is made of premium quality, commercial-grade crystalline with a heavy, weighted bottom and thick sides. It is perfect for drinking old-fashioned cocktails at your next house party and the heavy glass is shatter-resistant, making it an ideal choice for your next backyard BBQ party.
Each glass is hand-pressed and made from lead-free crystalline and weighs over one pound, so it sits comfortably in your hand – you can feel the difference in quality. The thick sides and base are practically unbreakable and will help insulate your drink’s temperature. With a 10-ounce capacity for sipping your favorite single malt, these will surely become your go-to drinking glasses.
Perfect for sampling a cocktail mix, mixed drink, liquor, cognac, vodka, tequila, gin, bourbon, scotch or even just a classy and elegant water or juice cup. Makes an ideal gift for the whiskey drinker in your life. Oh, and did we mention they are dishwasher safe?
Pros:
- Unique mountain range design aerates the whiskey
- Made from premium lead-free, commercial-grade crystalline
- Solid and durable
- Shatter-resistant
- Dishwasher safe
- Makes a good gift
Cons:
- Bottom is not flat
- Interior design may interfere with the amount of liquid the glass can hold
Top Pick Best Glass with Cigar Holder: Godinger Cigar Whiskey Glass
Good whiskey and a fine cigar go hand in hand like a fine wine and aged cheese. So many memorable moments are forged between friends sharing a dram of scotch and savoring a quality smoke.
If you’re looking for the ultimate yet unique gift for a whiskey connoisseur who also appreciates a good cigar, this old-fashioned whiskey glass with an indented cigar rest will certainly turn heads and put a smile on the face of even your fussiest of friends.
This double old-fashioned whiskey tumbler and cigar rest in one has a patented round shape that makes it easy and comfortable to sip or hold your drink and cigar at the same time. Imagine sitting on the terrace overlooking the night’s sky, sipping on your scotch, cigar in hand. When it’s time to take a break, you just slip the cigar into the indentation of the glass for it to sit until you’re ready for a sip or the stogie. It doesn’t get more relaxing than that.
And there is no need to worry about having the right-sized cigars to fit the glass. The cigar holder has a nice lip on it to accommodate different sizes, up to a 54-gauge cigar. Meticulously crafted, this quality cigar smoker’s crystal whiskey glass really makes a unique gift for the person who has everything.
Pros:
- Makes a unique gift for whiskey and cigar lovers
- Comfortable grip
- Lead-free crystal
- 12-ounce capacity
Cons:
- Best used neat as ice can make glass sweat and wet the cigar
- More expensive than other glasses
Top Pick Rock Style: SZMMG Whiskey Glasses Set of 6
For a solid quality whiskey rock glass that will accommodate a full 10 ounces of your favorite scotch, look no further than this set of six, 10-ounce lead-free glasses.
Designed with a thick, weighted bottom to accommodate ices cubes or whiskey stones, these spectacular-looking glasses with an elegant twisted design are suitable for virtually any type of drink, with enough room for the average ice block – perfect for malt scotch, bourbon, beer, vodka, old-fashioned cocktails and gin.
The transparency of the glass sparkles beautifully in the light, highlighting the velvety liquid of your favorite drink. With a wide, crafted opening, your nose is placed at the optimum angle to capture the subtle flavors and aroma of whiskey to elevate your experience.
These diamond-etched glasses ensure your drink will hold its desired temperature for a longer period of time. Heavy and solid, they sit comfortably in your hand, are virtually unbreakable, and after a party, clean up will be quick, as these are safe to put into the dishwasher.
Pros:
- Holds a full 10 ounces
- Well priced
- Dishwasher safe
- Heavy weighted, sturdy design
Cons:
- Comes in a set of 6, which may be too many for some people
Top Pick Best Complete Set: Nou Living 11 Piece Whiskey Decanter and Glass Set
Some people set up their home or office bar piece by piece, one glass at a time. But for others, it’s important to have everything right from the get-go so nothing is missing when it comes time to open up a bottle and toast a friend or business deal.
If you are looking to create the perfect home or office bar, or if you’re considering a special housewarming or wedding gift for the whiskey connoisseur in your life, you may want to consider this personal 11-piece set that comes complete with a dazzling decanter to house the finest of spirits.
Made with exceptional craftsmanship and care, this lead-free crystal ware is pure luxury, class and elegance. With a majestic royal design, the liquor decanter measures 10.6 inches x 7.1 inches x 2.9 inches and holds 22 ounces. The stopper sits nicely, flush and tight on the decanter so there is no chance that your prized whiskey, scotch, bourbon or other fine liquor will oxidize.
Also included in the set are six, 10-ounce whiskey glasses designed for enthusiasts who enjoy big, heavy and weighted glasses that can hold oversized ice cubes or whiskey rocks. If you prefer your whiskey chilled but not diluted, the set includes four, 2.2-inch stainless steel chilling spheres. Simply freeze them for four hours and they are ready to plop into a glass to chill you and your guests’ drinks. No dilution, no loss of flavor, just pure enjoyment.
Durable and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. And to keep you on the top of your entertaining game, you can take advantage of the included whiskey cocktails recipe book to whip up some special treats. Cheers to happy guests or to sealing that deal.
Pros:
- Complete set includes decanter
- Stainless steel chilling spheres to use instead of ice
- Decanter holds 22 ounces of liquid
- Includes 4 whiskey glasses
- Made from premium lead-free crystal
- Perfect for a home or office bar
- Makes a good gift
Cons:
- More expensive than just glasses
- Includes a decanter and chilling stones which may not be for everyone
Consider these things when looking for whiskey glasses so you will choose the ones that best suit your needs:
Whether you are a whiskey drinking aficionado or a novice, one thing is for sure – a good whiskey should be savored, not abused, sipped and not gulped in order to fully appreciate the aroma of a specific scotch, bourbon or other fine spirit.
Ultimately, how to choose the best whisky or scotch glass is a matter of personal preference, but there are still some important things to consider before making a purchase.
The structure and shape:
Like all good spirits, quality whisky should have room to breathe and remain accessible to the nose and palate. The best scotch glasses make sure the liquid is easy to swirl around, not too cloistered, and not sitting at the bottom of the glass. Look for a glass with a round or slightly curled mouth to deliver a seamless drinkability.
The feel:
A well-made whiskey glass is not flimsy or light. Instead, it should be heavy enough to feel good in your hand with a comfortable grip.
The size:
If you like ice or whiskey stones in your drink, look for a wide glass that can accommodate the amount of liquid you desire with enough ice for your comfort level. If you prefer your whiskey neat, look for a glass designed to direct vapors away from the nose, allowing the ethanol molecules to escape naturally through the opening, leaving behind only tasty flavors and notes.