The 25 Best Whiskey Glasses
Why do you need an actual whiskey glass? Why can’t you just use a regular old drinking glass? And why isn’t straight from the bottle good enough? While we’re not ones to tell you the right way to enjoy your hard-earned and well-deserved whiskey, we would like to point out that looks and aroma matter.
Which is why we put together this list of the 25 best whiskey glasses that enhance those two important factors. Why are those factors so important? We’re glad you have so many questions… About forty percent of your brain is devoted to processing visual information. Pour your whiskey into a good-looking glass, and you’re pleasing a big chunk of your grey matter. You can detect five (or six) basic tastes, but around a trillion smells. Pour your whiskey into an open-mouthed vessel and the aromas get a chance to work their magic before you sip.
Our list of the best whiskey glasses offers a bevy of shapes (fluted, tapered, twisted, notched), a wealth of materials (glass, wood, metal, horn), and a host of different ways to enjoy your amber fire of choice. Looks and smells and all.
Twist Whiskey Glass
Ashcroft Glass out of Las Vegas, Nevada is known for their double-necked wine decanters — handcrafted, mouth-blown, expertly shaped, they are exceedingly cool looking. Now they’ve set their master glassblowers to the task of creating whiskey glasses. We featured one already, the Everest, and now you can add the sophisticated Twist Whiskey Glass to your drinkware selection. Hefty and made from lead-free, ultra-clear glass, this is one that looks as good as the stuff inside will taste.
Whiskey Peaks Rocks Glasses
It is said that in the Big Rock Candy Mountains, you never change your socks, and little streams of alcohol come a-tumblin down the rocks. Here’s a way to pour that alcohol right on top of your mountain of choice. Denali, Half Dome, Mt. Whitney, and Mt. Rainier are all topographically represented at the bottom of four hand-blown glass tumblers made exclusively for Huckberry. On the rocks, on the mountains, bottoms up.
Corkcicle Cigar Glass
You’ve got a point to make. And it would really help out the story if you could make a gesture or two. But you’ve got bourbon in one hand and your cigar in the other, so what’s a guy to do? If you have this little number from Corkcicle, you simply rest that cigar in the intended cigar-resting notch and bring that point home, hand gestures aplenty.
Rare Whiskey Glasses
The shape concentrates the aroma. Each one was individually hand-formed in the Czech Republic. They don’t look like every other whiskey glass out there. And (something that approximately zero fine glasses do) they stack. Perfect for the whiskey aficionado with limited space but unlimited taste, the Rare Whisky Glasses were designed in Chicago by contemporary furniture and glassware designer fferrone. If you’ll excuse us, we’re going to go buy six of these now.
Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge
The Whiskey Wedge comes from the inventive minds over at Corkcicle, who started out inventing a way to chill wine without an ice bucket. Now they’ve got a smart way to chill your whiskey while minimizing the water-down effect. The silicone insert freezes a slanted wedge of ice inside the glass. The surface area touching your whiskey is reduced and the large ice melts slowly for a properly chilled, exceedingly cool sipping experience.
Venero Whiskey Glass
These are big glasses, made by a small company in the UK. They’ll hold twelve-ounces of your favorite whiskey — plus room for ice, mixer and garnish, if you go that route. The thick sides and solid base give the glass good weight in the hand and the company, Venero, guarantees this whiskey glass for life, no matter how many old fashioneds, whiskey sours, or sazeracs you drink from it.
Yeti Rambler Lowball
If you prefer a cup of joe in the morning to get things started, and a whiskey on the rocks in the evening to slow you down, then the Yeti Rambler Lowball will most likely be your next favorite, all-day drinking glass. The Rambler Lowball sports a double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel construction that keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks colder in proper Yeti fashion while eliminating unsightly ring stains on furniture thanks to a “No Sweat” design. For mornings when your schedule is a bit busier, throw on the optional lid before you head out to the office.
Cruvina Unbreakable Cocktail Glass
For the classiness of glass without the breakability, these fit the bill. Made from a BPA-free plastic material called Tritan, these tumblers look as clear and as shiny as glass, but you’d feel comfortable bringing these poolside, lakeside, or handing one to a kid (just take the whiskey out first). The shape is a traditional round tumbler style and look so legit, your friends will be tapping the sides to figure out what they’re made from.
Peugeot Whisky Tasting Glass
Yes, the same operation that turns out fancy French cars also has a design arm. Here they’ve designed a Whisky Tasting Glass that packs a couple of engineering tweaks that make it a winning whiskey vessel. Freeze the metal base for a few hours before you pour your drink, then fit the contoured glass on top to cool things down sans ice. The base and glass rest on a black embossed coaster.
Riedel Vinum Whisky Glass
Primarily a wine glass company known for making varietal-specific stemware, Riedel was built by eleven generations of glass makers, dating back to 17th century Bohemia. Their whisky glass offering is an elongated thistle shape with a fluted rim to direct the whiskey to the tip of the tongue to better deliver the hit of sweetness. After a few centuries of glass-making, you can safely bet they know how to fashion a vessel.
Sir Jack’s Ox Horn Whiskey Tumbler
The Night’s Watch drink from horns, maybe you should too. These whiskey tumblers are handmade in England from real, ethically sourced ox horns, polished to a high-shine and ready for your drink of choice (especially if that choice is whiskey). Each tumbler looks different from the next, thanks to the natural nature of the ox horn, and each one looks different than any other cup in your collection, thanks again to being made from a dang ox’s horn.
Aged&Ore Duo Glass
Like the Norlan Whiskey Glass, the Aged&Ore duo glass is a double walled borosilicate glass vessel. Unlike the Norlan, this one encourages the use of ice. In particular it was made for an ice sphere, made from the silicone ice mold included with the glass. The Duo also features one-ounce graduated lines for precision pouring, or for those times when you’re keeping track of just how much of your Booker’s your buddy is helping himself to.
Hydro Flask Rocks Tumbler
Camping, tailgating, taking whiskey on a hike, these are times when that fine crystal goblet will not pass muster. Put it back in your curio cabinet and reach for your Hydro Flask tumbler instead. In a ten-ounce size, it fits nicely in your hand and holds just the right amount of whiskey on ice. And that iced whiskey will stay cold for a good long time, thanks to the double wall vacuum insulation. The press-in lid features honeycomb insulation for further temp retention (and to make sure scrambling over that rock doesn’t slosh out your beverage).
Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses
Depending on the level of daring among your whiskey companions, someone is going to try to spin this glass on its point like a top. Until then, you’ll get to enjoy the unique design of a glass inspired by a diamond. It fits solidly in your hand when you’re holding it and rests at a 50º angle when you set it down. Made by a boutique glassware company called Dragon Glassware, these glasses will impress. Just resist the urge to spin them.
Glencairn Whisky Glass
It’s being called the “proper” glass for enjoying Scotch whisky (and works nicely for your whiskey with an ‘e’ too). Of course, we say anything short of a red Solo cup is acceptable (and even those will do in a pinch). But the Glencairn claim may have merit. Developed with master blenders from five distilleries, the glass offers a tapered mouth to hold and focus the aromas so you the complexity of the spirit hits you with each sip.
Denver & Liely Whisky Glass
Tumbler meets snifter meets snazzy Aussie design. Denver & Liely are a couple of mates (one named Denver, one named Liely) who are highly keen on functional design. Their Whisky Glass has an extra wide base to spread out your pour and a tapered opening that funnels those aromatics to your nose. Every glass these guys make is handmade, hand-blown, and hand-cut, and looks downright handsome.
Black Lantern Forest Whiskey Tumbler
Pour a finger of whiskey in the glass and it will rise up behind the trees, giving off a sunset in the forest effect. A relaxing image, even if you’re enjoying your drink far from the woods. These made-in-the-USA glasses are printed by hand by Black Lantern, a small company out of Estes Park, Colorado that makes tees, hats, bags, and barware all with modern, wilderness- and nature-based designs.
Nude Glass Club Ice Whisky Glass
This four-pack of Nude Glass whiskey glasses is made with beautifully clear lead-free crystal with a unique “ripple-effect” base that makes even the most basic whiskey look elegant. The sandblasted, frosted finish accentuates the rich caramel color of your favorite liquor, adding a nice touch of class to your drink. You’ll feel like a VIP swirling the whiskey around in this glass whether you drink it neat or on the rocks.
JoyJolt Carre Whiskey Glasses Old Fashion Glasses
JoyJolt Carre brings a little elegance to your home with these square-shaped whiskey glasses. The shape looks like a melting ice cube, and it’s an eye-catching glassware that serves as a great conversation starter and decorative element for your whiskey tasting nights with the guys. You can choose from a set of two or four (depending on how many guests you’ve got coming over), and the ten-ounce glasses will hold enough ice and whiskey for a proper stiff drink. They’re also dishwasher-safe and, best of all, come in a cool box that turns them into a beautiful gift.
Rabbit Freezable Whiskey Glasses
You’ll never have to worry about forgetting the ice again. The Rabbit Freezable Whiskey Glasses are designed to be frozen for one to two hours before you serve up the whiskey, so the glass actually chills the whiskey while you drink it—no need to hurry and drink before your ice melts to avoid dilution. Each glass also includes a silicone sleeve that protects your hands from the cold and protects the whiskey from the warmth of your skin, keeping everything the perfect temperature for a great night of sipping.
Bormioli Rocco Luna Double Old Fashioned Whiskey Glass
For the guy who loves an Old Fashioned cocktail, these Bormioli Rocco Luna whiskey glasses are just what you need. The tulip-shaped bowl maximizes exposure to ice while still opening up the mouth of the glass so you can smell the bouquet fully with each sip and sniff. The thick base keeps the glass firmly upright and right where it needs to be. The air bubble blown into each glass adds visual interest and they’re perfect for sipping whiskey and mixing up the cocktails of your choice.
Nude Finesse Grid Double Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses
There’s a high-design element to the Nude Finesse Grid Double Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses. Unlike so many other whiskey glasses, they don’t have a base, but instead feature a gently curving bottom that allows you to get an unobstructed view of your whiskey from below. The lead-free glass is dishwasher safe and surprisingly durable while still being lightweight. And the grid pattern etched into the glasses’ surface makes them look modern and stylish, setting these apart from all the “classic” styles you’ll find.
Marquis by Waterford Markham Double Old Fashion
When you want traditional elegance, look no further than the Marquis by Waterford Markham Double Old Fashion whiskey glasses. The lead-free crystalline is perfectly transparent and cut in the classic whiskey glass style. It will even feel classy in your hands, thanks to the added weight of the textured crystalline base. Each glass holds eleven ounces but stands less than four inches tall—the exact right height for easy storage on the top shelf of any cabinet or cupboard.
Ravenscroft Crystal Distiller Taylor Crystal Whiskey Glass
Ravenscroft Crystal brings a unique touch of luxury into your home in the form of the Distiller Taylor Crystal Whiskey Glass, a glass perfect for a whiskey tasting night or just sipping alone in your favorite stuffed armchair. The four-glass set is perfect for both whiskey and spirits, and features a bubble blown into the base that will draw the eye to both the glass and the richly colored liquor within. The crystal is lead-based but BPA-free, and it’s both sturdy and dishwasher safe. For the price tag, you won’t find much better.
BruMate NOS’R Insulated Nosing Glass
No one will ever forget drinking whiskey at your house if you serve them in the BruMate NOS’R Insulated Nosing Glass. These glasses come in a matte black finish that hide the liquor within, but accentuate the elegance of the event and are designed specifically with a tulip-shaped interior that enhances the aromas of the whiskey. Made with a stainless steel exterior, they are among the sturdiest whiskey glasses you’ll find and come with a lifetime warranty due to their “unbreakability.” An excellent whiskey glass to take camping or on vacation because it will endure anything you throw at it.
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