A Connoisseur’s Guide: 8 Best Whisky Glasses You Can Buy in the UK

Enjoying drinking whisky takes more than just choosing a whisky that suits your palate. You’ll need to decide whether to use ice and find a glass that lets you appreciate the quality, colour, aroma, and flavour of the drink in your hand.

There’s a wide selection of whisky glasses on the market, and not all of them are made equal. In this article, we help you select the best whisky glass that will ensure you have the most enjoyable whisky drinking experience.

Quick Answer

Editor’s Choice – Best Whisky Glass – Glencairn Whisky Glass 

 

1.The Glencairn Whisky Glass

Best whisky nosing glasses 

best whisky glasses #1 Glencairn Whisky Glass

If you’re looking for the best glass for drinking scotch whisky neat, the Glencairn whisky glass is by far the best choice. Commonly known as the Glencairn nosing glass, this glass is designed to make it easy to swirl your whisky and unlock its aromas.

Scotland-based, The Glencairn Crystal Ltd. company developed the glass, which is often used for whisky tastings at the distilleries in Scotland. It is the only whisky glass recommended by the Scotch Whisky Association.

While the Glencairn Whisky Glass is designed to hold 25 to 50 ml drams (1.7 to 3.4 ounces of scotch whisky), it has the capability to hold up to 175 ml (6 ounces) of whisky. It is the ideal glass for a no-nonsense scotch whisky enthusiast who adheres to a traditional approach.

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2. Gmark Two-Ounce Shot Glasses

Gmark Two-Ounce Shot Glass

If you want to enjoy drinking whisky the traditional way, there’s no better way to do that than with a shot glass. Shot glasses are available in a range of styles, some with a flaring top and others with a straight edge.

Gmark has made a classic two-ounce shot glass. Made from lead-free glass, this shot glass features a heavy base and is sturdy enough to be cleaned in the dishwasher. While it is meant to hold only two ounces, it can hold up to three ounces of whisky comfortably.

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3. Sagaform Rocking Whiskey Tumbler

best whisky glasses-sagaform-rocking-whiskey-glasses

Sagaform Rocking Whiskey Tumbler Glasses are a perfect choice for those who prefer the unconventional-type whisky glasses. This glass features a uniquely curved bottom, allowing it to rest at a perpetual angle. The resting angle is not to the extent of tipping over or spilling your whisky, though.

The innovative design helps to enhance the ergonomics of the glass. It not only ensures a firm grip, but it is also an effortless hold.

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4. Venero Whiskey Glass

Venero Whiskey Glass half full with whisky

If you are looking for a large tumbler to enjoy a glass of whisky, bourbon, or scotch, Venero Whisky Glass can be an excellent choice. Made of lead-free crystal glass, this whisky glass can hold ten ounces of liquid.

It is designed to allow for easy drinking of whisky along with ice cubes or stones. Venero whisky glasses glow elegantly in the light. Their stylish twisted design will certainly make an impression when serving your friends or guests.

These glasses feature a thick base and sides, so they can’t break easily. They also retain the temperature of your drink for longer to keep your Proper Twelve perfectly chilled.

Another remarkable attribute of these whisky glasses is that they can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher. You don’t have to wash them manually, risking dropping and breaking them. They also come in a stylish package and make a magnificent gift for a whisky enthusiast.

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>> Read also our guide to the best wine glass sets

5. Taylor’d Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glass

Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey Scotch Glasses

Made in the United States, Taylor’d Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glasses are designed to boost the aroma of your favourite whisky. Thanks to their unique shape, the air can easily reach the whisky, capture the locked-in aromas, and concentrate it at the top of the glass.

It ensures you get the best from your favourite drink. Made from lead-free glass, these glasses can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher, and feature weighted bases with a capacity of ten ounces.

Taylor’d Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glasses are resistant to chipping, scratching, and breakage. It comes with a broken glass guarantee, which gives you peace of mind that you can use your glasses for a long time yet. It’s worth noting, however, that some users have reported that some of these whisky glasses tend to be slightly crooked at the base.

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6. Final Touch on the Rock Glass with Ice Ball Mould

best whisky glass

If you like your whisky cold, but not watered down, a Final Touch on the Rock Glass could be a perfect whisky choice. Besides having an attractive round shape, this glass features an adjoining ice ball mould.

You can fill the mould with water and freeze it. You’ll only need to move your hand slightly to make the ice ball roll evenly across the base of the glass. Final Touch on the Rock Glass is also dishwasher safe.

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7. Royal Scot Crystal Scottish Thistle Set

Royal Scot Crystal Scottish Thistle whisky Set

If you love the finer things in life, then you should consider buying the Royal Scot Crystal Scottish Thistle Set. These crystal tumblers are designed to deliver a generous amount of sophistication. They stand out from other whisky glasses, thanks to their Scottish Thistle design and diamond adornments.

They have a capacity of eleven ounces. The timeless design ensures you won’t need to replace your whisky glasses any time soon. It is perhaps one of the finest whisky glasses available for the aficionados.

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8. Kentucky Bourbon Trail Libbey Signature Glasses

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Libbey Signature Glasses

As the name suggests, these are the officially recognised glasses for tasting Kentucky Bourbon Trail. It doesn’t mean that you can’t use them for drinking other types of whisky, though. The glasses are made with robust ClearFire glass composition.

The design ensures the glasses are not only brilliant but also incredibly strong despite their thin sidewalls. The glasses also feature an ultrathin, beadless rim with exceptional chip resistance.

They have a capacity of eight ounces. They are also hard-wearing, stackable, and come in sets of four.

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What to Look for in A Whisky Glass

Choosing the best whisky glass depends primarily on personal preference. There are other factors to keep in mind when making your choice, however. The six main considerations include:

1. Glass Structure
Good whisky needs room to breathe. It should also be conveniently accessible to your nose and palate. The best whisky glass ensures you can easily swish your favourite drink around.

It ensures the liquid is not overly cloistered, which means a wine glass shape may not deliver the desired experience when used to drink whisky.

You should also realise that the shape of the glass and its texture plays an integral role in the entire sensory experience. For example, the slender and curvaceous body of a Glencairn glass helps to optimise nosing capability. Likewise, you want to choose a glass with a rounded or curled mouth to deliver seamless drinkability.

2. The Feel of The Glass
You want a whisky glass that feels comfortable in your hand. You should consider the design, weight, and grip when shopping for the best whisky glass.

3. Glass Appearance
Aesthetics is an important consideration when choosing a whisky glass. Your top choice of whisky glass should look as awesome as it feels.

4. Type of Whisky Glass
There is a wide variety of whisky glasses on the market. The most common types are the tumbler, the snifter, the highball, the Glencairn, the neat whisky glass, and the tulip-shaped glass. You’ll need to understand the nuances of each type and choose one that suits your needs best.

5. Drinking Experience
Drinking whisky depends on your preferred encounter, and you can choose a whisky glass based on your drinking experience. Every type of glass will deliver a different whisky drinking experience, so it’s a customisable feature.

Other Whisky Glass Considerations
Here are other vital considerations when choosing a glass based on your desired drinking experience:

Appearance
The design, finish, and pattern of the glass play a significant role in the drinking experience. Consider the general form and quality of the glass. Also, look at its main physical properties like size, weight, and grip.

Drinkability
Drinkability is another factor to consider when choosing a whiskey glass, like the ease of drinking from that specific whisky glass. It depends on the curvature, thickness, and the slope of the brim of the glass.

>> Check out our guide to the best cocktail sets to make your perfect whisky cocktail

FAQs for Whisky Glasses

What’s the best personalised whisky glass?

We love the English Pewter Company 11oz Whisky Glass Tumbler. They company will craft your initials into a hand-crafted badge making a personalised whisky glass for a gift.

What is the best LSA whisky glasses?

LSA International Glass make a range of whisky glasses but our top choice are the Boris tumblers with their beautiful heavy bases

What are the best cut crystal whisky glasses?

Try these crystal cut glasses from Selfridges.com made by Barwell

What is the best Dartington whisky glass?

Have look at these classic old fashioned style whisky tumblers sold in a set of two

What is a whisky nosing glass?

Nosing allows you to feel the aroma of the whisky from the glass. Various physical characteristics of the glass will determine whether it has an excellent nosing capability or not. These characteristics include the shape and curvature of the glass.

What are the best luxury whisky tumblers?

Regular readers will know we are big Tom Dixon fans – Check out his tank whiskey tumblers set of two

Final Thoughts
Well-designed drinking glasses are an important part of enjoying your favourite whisky, especially if it is an expensive brand. Using the right whisky glass enhances the entire experience of drinking. It contributes to palatability and appeal when enjoying drinks with friends, guests, or family.

There is a myriad of whisky glasses on the market, and many people have a challenge selecting the right glass for their desired experience. Follow our guide to make things easier. You can evaluate the 8 Best Whisky Glasses reviewed above and choose one that speaks to you.


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