The 10 Best Whiskey Glasses for Experiencing Good Whiskey

Chris Starks
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Do you want to be able to experience each individual layer of flavor. Think of milk chocolate with a multilayered taste. What about a rich ice cream sundae with many unique layers of texture. How about a good cup of coffee? Not only does your coffee have different flavors but different textures as well.

This is the same principle with whiskey. I’m sure that when you drink whiskey you pick up a lot of the flavor but do you pick up all the flavors? I’m betting that you don’t. It’s possible that you’re even drinking whiskey from a bad glass and you can’t taste all the flavors and nuances.

A good whiskey glass allows the liquid to move smoothly across your tongue, preserves the flavor and helps you to taste the full flavor of whiskey.

We’ve scoured the market and found 10 different whiskey glasses for you to consider. Here are our top picks and the reasoning behind our recommendations.

NameCategoryProduct
Glencairn Whisky Glass Set of 4Best OverallGlencairn Whisky Glass Set of 4
Gmark 2-Ounce 2-Oz Heavy Base Shot Glass SetBudget PickGmark 2-Ounce 2-Oz Heavy Base Shot Glass Set
Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey GlassesUpgrade PickDragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses

1. Glencairn Whisky Glass Set of 4

Our rating: 9 / 10

Glencairn Whisky Glass Set of 4

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Pros:

  • Excellent design
  • Wide opening
  • Sets are available in multiple designs
  • Made from lead-free crystal

Cons:

  • Not dishwasher safe
  • Not microwave safe
  • Fragile

If you’re a fan of whiskey, you need this set from Glencairn. Especially since it comes with a gift box that ties it all together with a bow. This set is made of high-quality lead-free crystal with a convenient box for storing the glasses when not in use.

The glasses have a classic tapered shape and an opening wide enough to savor all the subtle notes of a perfectly refined whiskey. The tapered shape allows you to enjoy every drop of bourbon, scotch, or whiskey, without wasting any.

What’s most unique about this Glencairn set is that you get to choose between various designs of glasses that vary from classic to contemporary. It’s just a matter of picking up a set that fits your decorative scheme and your preferences.

2. Venero Crystal Whiskey Glasses

Our rating: 9 / 10

Venero Crystal Whiskey Glasses

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Pros:

  • Sturdy base
  • It doesn’t go cloudy after using soap or dish detergent
  • Great for everyday use
  • They don’t easily fog up

Cons:

  • The cut of the glass is a bit off
  • The design is more classical than modern
  • It can be too wide at the glass bottom

Venero Crystal Whiskey Glasses, Set of 4 Rocks Glasses in Gift Box is a great choice for beginners and enthusiasts as well for its simple design and low price. No matter whether you’re looking for a reliable home bar addition or a present for your significant other, this glasses will surely please you and your guests.

The Venero whiskey glasses in cardboard packaging are made from well-known Venero glass that will turn any boring whiskey into a fine pleasure.

Each glass has an 8 oz capacity and is excellent for both whiskey and any other kind of liquor. The company that is behind this product is based in USA, and they claim that their glasses are made of high-quality tempered glass with high precision.

3. Premium Art Deco Whiskey Glass Set. 10oz Bourbon Glasses In Stylish Gift Box. Genuine Lead Free Crystal Scotch Glasses Designed In Europe. 2 Double Old Fashioned Rocks Glasses

Our rating: 9 / 10

Premium Art Deco Whiskey Glass Set. 10oz Bourbon Glasses In Stylish Gift Box. Genuine Lead Free Crystal Scotch Glasses Designed In Europe. 2 Double Old Fashioned Rocks Glasses

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Pros:

  • Satisfaction guaranteed
  • 18/8 grade lead-free crystal
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Set of 3 glass size perfect for whisky, bourbon, margaritas and cocktails
  • Good price for such premium glasses
  • Lightweight
  • Suitable for all whiskey lovers

Cons:

  • Low volume
  • Not suitable for cocktail recipes with many ingredients

Whiskey Set. Century Collection

We have tested a lot of whiskey glasses in our lab, and the Premium Art Deco Whiskey Glass Set. 10oz Bourbon Glasses In Stylish Gift Box. Genuine Lead Free Crystal Scotch Glasses Designed In Europe. 2 Double Old Fashioned Rocks Glasses For Liquor And Alcohol. Whiskey Set. Century Collection are our favorites.

These set of five glasses are designed to enhance the experience of a fine whiskey. They are quality lead-free crystal at a reasonable price. Made from first grade 18/8 lead-free crystal. The perfect size of the glasses are carefully designed to enhance the flavor and bouquet of your favourite whiskey.

4. Gmark 2-Ounce 2-Oz Heavy Base Shot Glass Set

Our rating: 9 / 10

Gmark 2-Ounce 2-Oz Heavy Base Shot Glass Set

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Pros:

  • Wide base
  • Very durable and well-made
  • Affordable

Thankfully, there are products like the Gmark 2-ounce shot glass set. These shots are constructed from double-wall borosilicate glass (the same material that's used in chemistry beakers and thermoses) and are designed to manage intense temperature changes. If you can get past searching for them online (they should arrive with nothing more than a thin cardboard box), you'll discover that they are the perfect whiskey glasses for experiencing good whiskey.

Each glass weighs roughly 6 ounces and has a 2-ounce capacity and a 4-ounce capacity, depending on the glass.

They intentionally have a wide base, so there's very little chance of them tipping over and breaking on you.

5. MOFADO Crystal Whiskey Glasses

Our rating: 8 / 10

MOFADO Crystal Whiskey Glasses

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Pros:

  • Crystal glasses made in the US
  • Precise thickness of 1.4 mm allows them to dance on ice cubes
  • Tall design is a pleasure to hold and gives the liquid room to breathe
  • Large bowl for swirling the liquid for a deeper infusion
  • Top shelf dishwasher safe

These handmade premium whiskey glasses have been made in America and are made from high-grade crystal.

They have a generous mouth that allows you to take a large swallow of your favorite spirits with the same pleasure, no matter if it is your first or the last glass of the evening. This glass rocks!

Because of the thick bottom, your whiskey will dance on top of the ice and you will be able to savor the aroma and the flavor of it.

6. Rock Style Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses 11 Ounce

Our rating: 8 / 10

Rock Style Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses 11 Ounce

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Pros:

  • Made with lead-free crystal glass
  • Inexpensive
  • Set of 6 whiskey glasses
  • The offset design keeps your hands free of bourbon while holding the glass
  • Sturdy, well-made glasses

7. Norlan Whisky Glass

Our rating: 8 / 10

Norlan Whisky Glass

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Pros:

  • Gift packaging with protective wrapping
  • Durable
  • Made from lead-free crystal
  • Solid, heavy feel
  • Hand-made design
  • Slim profile for more room for whiskey
  • Great value
  • Bubbles won’t form on the outside due to the rounded edges
  • Made from lead-free crystal
  • Available in an assortment of colors

Cons:

  • May chip if hit against other objects
  • Not dishwasher-safe

If you want to get a gift for your buddies for whisky night we strongly advise getting the Norlan set of 2 whisky glasses. It’s made from lead-free crystal which is a de rigueur for any fine whiskey enthusiast.

The Norlan glasses are not just great for tasting whiskies, they’re also great for simply appreciating your drink and watching it swirl around the glass.

The glasses are substantial, elegant looking, and very functional. The handmade design is second to none and will make for an excellent addition to any home.

8. Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses

Our rating: 8 / 10

Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses

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Pros:

  • Fits five fingers
  • Unique diamond design
  • Wide bowl
  • Thick and attractive stems
  • Easy to hold
  • Premium quality
  • Useful for other drinks as well
  • Can be used as water glasses
  • Stands out from other glasses

Anyone who has tried to drink whiskey out of a glass designed for any other drink knows that it can be an unpleasant experience. The design of traditional glasses – which are made for specific purposes – is most often the direct cause for this. And the most common offender is the funnel-like design of the popular highball glass.

But if you want to enjoy whiskey, you'll need a glass that resembles a tulip or a wine glass, and the Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glass is one of the very best options out there.

These are big, heavy, high quality glasses with thick stems that make them easy to hold, even with five fingers. The unique diamond design of the glass means that the whiskey will first touch down in the bowl of the glass before rising to your lips. And the wide bottom allows you to smell the whiskey better.

9. Double Old Fashioned Whiskey Glass

Our rating: 8 / 10

Double Old Fashioned Whiskey Glass

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Pros:

  • Double Old Fashioned (8oz Whiskey Glass)
  • Sturdy and durable
  • Thick base keeps the whiskey near-ice-cold
  • No lingering smell
  • No residue left behind
  • Completely dishwasher safe (top rack)
  • Crystal clear
  • Heavy base, thick glass
  • Keeps ice cold longer
  • No dripping

Cons:

  • Raised bubble or vein on the glass
  • No nifty whiskey glasses included
  • The picture they show isn’t the same as what they send you
  • You’ll probably have to drink twice as much to enjoy it

Hands down, this whiskey glass is the best glasses set you can get on the market. Not only are they perfect for whiskey, but they’re great for other strong liquors too.

They’re made from completely lead-free glass. The reason why they chill your drink so well is because of the heavy base. The thick and stable base keeps the whiskey cold. And cold drinks are fun drinks. They’re perfect for regular, old-fashioned rocks glasses because they fit in perfectly. Every glass is 10 ounces.

10. Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glass

Our rating: 7 / 10

Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glass

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Pros:

  • Premium bourbon rocks glass
  • Crystal clear glassware
  • Includes double old fashioned whiskey glass, premium on the rocks glassware and a whiskey lover’s guide.

Includes Double Old Fashioned Whiskey Glass, Premium On the Rocks Glassware and a Whiskey Lover’s Guide

So you want to experience the best whiskey drinking experience? Want to know what the expert whiskey drinker has that you don’t? Glassware. But, not just any glassware – it is your drinking glassware that will enhance the experience.

The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to get a quality glass. The Taylor’d Milestones Reserve rocks glass is crafted by an award-winning glass maker. The results: a whiskey glass that enhances tasting and aroma of spirits. It is shaped like a traditional rocks tumbler, but it is made from a premium, optical-quality crystal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What type of glass is best for whiskey?

There are thousands of types of whiskey glasses available but there are only a few types of whiskey glasses that are genuinely good for experiencing whiskey. Most importantly, the best whiskey glass will be able to maintain the temperature of the drink. So the glass should be heavy and thick, with a tapered bowl, and a curved lip.

But this is just the beginning. Some of the most popular jiggers in bars and restaurants are also tapered and have a curved lip, but they don't make the cut when it comes to experiencing whiskey and other spirits.

If you intend to have a tasting party, just using these 10 glasses is perfect for sampling a variety of whiskeys from a wide range of distilleries, recipes, and regions.

Other common types of small glasses can work, but we generally wouldn't recommend using standard rocks glasses or beer glasses. They don't maintain the temperature well, so your expressions will rapidly change.

What are the best crystal whiskey glasses?

First of all, beware though. Crystal is not the only material you want for a great tasting glass of whiskey. There’s a lot more to it than just using a nice crystal glass. Shape and style play an important role as well.

It’s worth noting that you may be thinking about a different kind of glass if you prefer something that is more elaborate and practical for your bar area. As a result, we detail recommendations for both types of whiskey glass, which we further classify by the style you desire.

Do whiskey glasses make a difference?

Yes! There is a great deal of variance among glasses. If you want to taste the flavors of the whiskey, tasting glasses must be designed to support aromas.

For example, consider a tumbler, the most common glass for whiskey, which has straight sides. The tumbler doesn't hold the aromas or give the flavors room for escape. This can significantly reduce your enjoyment of the drink. On the other hand, if you use a brandy snifter glass or a brandy tulip, you'll be able to enjoy the full range of flavors.

Some people like to use rocks glasses for whiskey or scotch. However, this means that you can't swirl the drink, so you miss out on all the great flavors.

What are the 10 best whiskeys?

Whiskey is a personal choice as everyone has a different favorite. In the following sections, we'll be discussing the various categories of whiskey and the characteristics of several popular styles.

Many whiskey connoisseurs say that the most important step in enjoying a fine glass of whiskey is selecting the right glass and knowing how to properly pour the whiskey. It's also important to be in a quiet environment for the best taste experience. Other factors include your mood, the time of year, and the time of day.

Conclusion

This guide covers everything you need to know about whiskey, from the best whiskey glasses to using the right bar spoon to swirl the whiskey in. By the end of the article, you will have all the things you'll need to drink good whiskey to experience it at its full potential.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
Glencairn Whisky Glass Set of 4Best OverallGlencairn Whisky Glass Set of 4
Gmark 2-Ounce 2-Oz Heavy Base Shot Glass SetBudget PickGmark 2-Ounce 2-Oz Heavy Base Shot Glass Set
Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey GlassesUpgrade PickDragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses