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Understanding Different Types of Whisky Glasses

While the type of whisky glassware you select can enhance the drinking experience, it’s not essential. Specialised glasses accentuate the aromas, making them easier to detect and savour. This guide explores how the characteristic of each whisky glass refines the whisky flavour.

The Glencairn Glass

Designed specifically for tasting neat Scotch whisky, the tapered body and narrow top funnel aromas to the nose. Its heavy base makes it a smart choice for reducing heat transfer from the drinker's hand. If you want to taste single malts as the distiller intended, go for a Glencairn whisky glass.

Gift the whisky lover in your life – Explore gifting options

Unpack the big, fruity aromas of our Signature Single Malt Whisky.

Tulip Glass

Also called copita glasses, these stemmed glasses are typically used to enjoy Sherry, Cognac or brandy. Similarly to the Glencairn glass, the shape concentrates aromas towards the nose. The copita glass is typically used for tasting.

Enjoy a Sherry Cask Single Malt in a Copita Glass

Tumblers & Highballs

For more casual drinking, you could choose a tumbler, it won’t accentuate the flavours like a tapered glass. The wide rim and wide body of the tumbler make it a good choice if you want to add ice or serve a cocktail. A highball is taller and narrower, ideal for long, mixed drinks. Try the fly-away whisky cocktail with ginger ale and coconut water

Snifter Glass

Typically used for enjoying brandy, the snifter glass has a bulbous body with a narrow rim. More exaggerated than the tulip glass or Glencairn glass, it allows for heavily concentrated aromas. A snifter glass can be a decadent way to enjoy our Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky; alongside a rich chocolate dessert.

How Does Glass Shape Influence Flavour Perception?

There are several ways that glass shape elevates your enjoyment of single malt whisky, and first, you need to understand some science.

• Volatile compounds (aromas) naturally evaporate when exposed to air
• Harsh chemicals can be balanced out when an oxidation reaction occurs (contact with oxygen in the air).

So, we want contact with air to release the flavour profile in the dram and soften some unwanted flavours. However, we also want to capture the aromas that we’ve released.

The perfect glass choice should balance the amount of air exposure and the level of vapour escape. A tumbler has lots of air exposure but no way of trapping aromas. Meanwhile, a snifter glass has a large volume of air within the glass and the narrow rim traps flavour; however, this shape may not allow as many unpleasant initial volatiles to escape.

Body Type	Rim Type	Effect	Examples
Wide	Narrow	Enhances exposure to air while concentrating vapours in the glass, channelling them towards the opening	Glencairn, copita/tulip, snifter
Wide	Wide	Offers air exposure but no concentration of vapours, and can be used for whisky on the rocks or cocktails with ice.	Tumbler
Narrow	Wide	Offers no whisky tasting enhancements and is typically used for cocktails without ice.	Martini, coupe
Narrow	Narrow	Offers little benefit for whisky tasting, best for mixed drinks and cocktails	Highball, collins,

Elevate Your Whisky Tasting Experience

From selecting the perfect glass to what to pair with your dram, this section explores some of the ways you can make your tasting experience extraordinary.

1. Choose Your Whisky Glass

Explore the quick guide to choosing the right glass based on the occasion

• Glencairn: This neat glass for single malt, nosing and more delicate expressions
• Tulip/Copita: Ideal for tasting, nosing, and tasting aromatic expressions
• Snifter: Ideal for maximising big aromas. Best for sipping and indulging.
• Tumbler/Highball: Best rocks glass for casual drinking and cocktails

2. What to Add to your Dram

Many people choose to add ice cubes, water or a mixer to their dram. Ice can make for a more refreshing drink, but mutes the flavour profile. Conversely, a few drops of water can break up some heavier compounds, allowing the more delicate aromas to contribute. Finally, complimentary mixers or cocktail ingredients can elevate your drinking experience.

3. Selecting Complementary Flavours

Understanding the flavour profile of your bottle is key for making it shine in a cocktail, at the dinner table or in a highball. A fruitier expression, such as a Sherry Cask Single Malt, may be great in a Manhattan. Meanwhile, an aged cheese board could balance a peated whisky.

4. Mastering Your Technique

Now that you have selected the right glass, it’s important to use it to maximum effect. After pouring your dram, swirl the glass and leave it to sit for a few seconds to allow the aromas to establish in the glass. A tulip shape is designed for nosing. Ensure you inhale the aromas from the glass before taking a sip, and try olfactory breathing. Finally, take small sips, allowing the spirit to hit the middle first, then let it coat the whole tongue.

Optimal Glasses for Classic Whisky Cocktails

A whisky cocktail can be a great way to enjoy whisky, especially if single malt whisky is new to you. Explore some classic cocktails and their perfect glassware.

Whisky cocktail	Glass	Example
Old Fashioned	Tumbler
Whisky Sour	Tumbler
Manhattan	Coupe

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Glencairn glasses suitable for all types of whisky?

Glencairn glasses have been designed for appreciating the subtleties of single malt Scotch. However, their ergonomic shape emphasises aromatic and complex whiskies from all categories, including Bourbon and rye.

Does a whisky decanter enhance flavour?

Decanting whisky does expose it to oxygen, subtly softening harshness. However, once opened, a special single malt whisky can spoil more quickly. Ultimately, using a decanter for whisky is an aesthetic decision.

Is a crystal glass better for tasting whisky?

A crystal glass contains more lead oxide, which gives it a dazzling sparkle and allows for hand-carved designs. In terms of aesthetics, it's the best choice but doesn't enhance the flavour in any way.

Can you put whisky glasses in the dishwasher?

It's always best to hand wash your specialist whisky glasses to maximise their lifespan and clarity.