Reddit mentions: The best snifters

glasses

TL;DR - Standard answer, the Glencairn glass (the official {Scotch} Whisk(e)y glass). My current favorite though is the Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey and Scotch Glasses available HERE

I'm by no means an expert, but I have tried many different shapes of glassware over the years... So, here are some of my experiences.

The standard highball/lowball, with their straight 🥃 (or even at times obtuse _/ ) sides, allows for too much area for many of the aromatics in the whisky to disperse and even escape, making the whisky very bland and uninteresting, thereby "weakening" or "taming" it a bit. Hence, this is where most people start.

Something with a bit of a bowl or tulip (_) to it is kind of the next step up. This helps to concentrate the aromas and can help to bring out some of the subtleties of a good whisky.

Then there is the Glencairn style glasses, which kind of combine the previous two. It is a slightly bowled base with the straightened tip of a lowball. This is the official Scotch Whisky glass, and does a really great job at really getting you intimately close with your whisky, bringing out even the slightest nuances. However, to me, this can be a bit much for whisky that is a little heavy on the nose.

So, the 3 different glasses that I have tried that use a very similar shape to the Glencairn, but widen the rim up a bit, thereby taming the nose ever so slightly, are the Canadian Glencairn, the Norlan, and the Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey and Scotch Glasses.

The Canadian Glencairn is a great glass but there are two things that bug me a bit about it. First off, it is slightly awkward to drink out of, as you nearly have to put the glass vertical before anything comes out. The second, much more minor issue, is that your hand is right on your whisky only separated by a very thin layer of glass, which will lead to warming up your whisky. Which you may or may not enjoy.

Then came the Norlan glass. It is essentially a Glencairn glass with some aerators in the bowl housed in a double walled tulip shaped glass, that way your hand will not warm up your whisky with a lingering enjoyment of a good dram. However, again, to me, it is just slightly awkward to sip from.

Enter the Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey and Scotch Glasses. And mentioned above, this is currently my favorite glass to enjoy a nice dram in. It is essentially a Glencairn this has an opening that is about 1.5 times the diameter (which can tame a slightly heavy nosing whisky just the right amount), and then a nice lowball type weight at the bottom of it. So, it feels great in the hand, and you don't have to have your hand right on the whisky if you don't want to. It also feels much more natural to sip from.

The link to the Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey and Scotch Glasses is at the top, but here are some links to some legit Glencairns.

The original Glencairn - 2 pack, 4 pack, or 6 pack

I would recommend that you use either the seller Stock Your Home or Our Pampered Home, as they both sell the official legitimate Glencairn glassware, and tend to be one of the lowest priced ones as well. There are a substantial amount of fakes out there! So, here are the same links, but for Stock Your Home (if available).

Original - 2 pack, 4 pack, or 6 pack

And then for Our Pampered Home (if available).

Original - 2 pack, 4 pack, or 6 pack

(Sorry for the delayed post, I've had a busy past couple of days)

All the best... Enjoy!

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Episode 1: A Noob Hopes

In a galaxy far, far away

A long time lurker decides to sack up

and provide some horrible reviews

for some good scotch.

On to the review....

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=========================

What's being reviewed: Compass Box Peat Monster

In what: Glencairn on steroids. This one actually.Let's forego the rest of the details since you all know it by now.

Pre-drink thoughts: I like Compass Box (tried the Muse at a bar, loved it, bought a bottle 2 weeks later. That's a review for another day). But I'm not sure if I like peat. But the wife does and this is a hobby I'd like to share with her, especially since I plan on spending our money on it - so why not try something she might enjoy as well.

Nose: Smoke. Nasal burn. Light band-aid-y scents.Taste: Faint smoke, kind of like how I would imagine what my shirt would taste like the morning after a bonfire. There's a sweetness to this as well. A hint of something salty I think.

Finish: Might be me, but the finish seems long. It's smokey, It stays with me after the exhale, it lingers...like a memory. (Also that medicinal note is there too)

Rating: * * * *Would I buy again: Yes absolutely

Final Note: This review is being written without notes to reference, as I want to only convey the parts that really stick with me. Plus, I can't discern things like "malty peat", "hammy fruit jam", "wafting fields of baby octopus tentacles", hence the very short descriptors.

================Rating System (stars)

• 1 = nope. never again
  
• 2 = will drink if offered for free
  
• 3 = would not buy a bottle, but would buy at a bar
  
• 4 = must have on hand at home at all times
  
• 5 = cream of my crop. willing to pay premium for a bottle.

Ideally you want a tulip-shaped glass when drinking neat, it will give you a better nosing experience by directing/concentrating the fumes. Same reason you use a large bowl-shaped or tulip-shaped glasses for red wine.

That said, I think a glencairn is less than optimal for anything more than a small taste of lower- to moderate-proof whiskey. It has the tapered shape to concentrate the nose, but it's actually a little too concentrated for stuff like barrel proof unless you just really enjoy smelling ethanol fumes.

The biggest issue with the glencairn though, is it's just too small. The nose develops due to air exposure, and the larger the surface area of your whiskey in the glass, the more quickly (and more fully) the nose will develop. When you pour 1.5-2 oz into a glencairn the surface area is actually quite small relative to the volume of liquid.

IMHO you'll get a better nosing experience for high-proof stuff by using a small rocks glass, or some sort of tulip-shaped glass with a larger bowl than a glencairn. My personal favorite is the Taylor'd Milestone.

I agree, a lot of the time I want something heavier in the hand for relaxing with a dram. These are my go to now :

Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glass - Set of 2 10.5 oz Scotch Glasses. Premium Bourbon Rocks Glass Shaped for Improving Tasting and Aroma of Spirits. Crystal Clear Glassware https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ATV2Q5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IzoQBbAYXQ2AB

Ha, you would be surprised how often I get asked that. Was gifted it from a friend who knew I was into whisky. Amazing gift, though a little pricey.



https://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Official-Crystal-Scotch-Tasting/dp/B00IL8KGDO/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1481160844&sr=8-14&keywords=crystal+glencairn

I have a few dram glasses, glencairns, and Canadian whisky glasses (came with the Jack Single Barrel Christmas set last year) that I prefer. Feel sturdy enough to me. I also brought back a Yamazaki rocks glass and a tasting glass from the distillery. I have enough options at reasonable price points for nosing, cocktails, rocks, or neat that I don't feel the need to pay a bundle for these pretty glasses that might break if I look askance at them.

I've seen these Brumate BN8G Nos'R glasses a few times that are pretty (except that they're opaque) and nigh indestructible for $24.95 each on Amazon.

You are correct in saying that you get a better nose with the Glencairn glass. It concentrates the smell so that you can experience all of the aromas in a whiskey, be it scotch, bourbon or otherwise. Another option is the Copita glass which allows you to more easily manipulate the glass without transferring heat from your hands to the beverage.

With Glencairn glasses you save by buying in bulk. Usually 7-10$ each they can be had here much cheaper. They are fragile so having a few might be a good idea.

http://www.amazon.com/Bellemain-Oz-Whiskey-Glass-Set/dp/B00IAVQMCG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1454279973&sr=8-3&keywords=glencairn

Also, a link for a copita just in case.

http://www.amazon.com/GLENCAIRN-SCOTCH-WHISKY-DEGUSTATION-COPITA/dp/B00CV4Q6D8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1454280054&sr=8-2&keywords=copita+glass

Ok so I could settle on just one because I found a few that I liked so my top 2 are a little less conventional here and here. The secod ones ARE out of stock right now but I like them.

The more "normal" or "classy" glasses I liked were here, here and here. And if your a Star Wars fan these.

Oh and 10 Practical Speed Skating Secrets From Julia Roberts.

Thanks!

It's made by taylor'd. Called milestones. Basically a super sized glencairn. Here's a link to Amazon. I like doing the high proof stuff in it. Let's the alcohol fumes out but keeps the rest in.... Kinda

Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glass - Set of 2 10.5 oz Scotch Glasses. Premium Bourbon Rocks Glass Shaped for Improving Tasting and Aroma of Spirits. Crystal Clear Glassware https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ATV2Q5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KkR1CbKG73JTE

My wife got me these for Christmas. They are awesome. Have a great heft to them. Glasses

These. You get the best of both worlds of the similar shape of a traditional Glencairn. It's big enough for ice if you desire. It fits 10.5 ounces if you want to really throw down.

Great news! They have the exact glencairn shape on a stem:

https://www.amazon.com/Stemmed-Nosing-Copita-Whiskey-Tasting/dp/B01IAIVZYI

The one I am using is a 1920s blenders glass:

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/34880/1920s-professional-blenders-whisky-glass

It’s pricy, but it really does accentuate more subtle aromas in older drams. A glencairn, or stemmed glencairn is the way to go for day to day use. Cheers.

For a real-world recommendation, these are amazing for whiskey. The bend in the glass is right around 1.75 ounces, so measuring my pour is easy.

This may be the cockford ollie your pallet will agree with, and the square is nice to hold in the hand vs a round stem.

Also, these aren't bad. A bit gimmicky with the literature, but they do stay cool. Only downside being the incredibly thin glass. These should be babied.

https://www.amazon.com/Glenmorangie-Crystal-Snifter-Glass/dp/B0097ZA4V4

By far my favorites. Heavy base, nice feel, concentrates aromas just enough.

Taylor'd Milestones Reserve Whiskey Glass - Set of 2 10.5 oz Scotch Glasses. Premium Bourbon Rocks Glass Shaped for Improving Tasting and Aroma of Spirits. Crystal Clear Glassware https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ATV2Q5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HHEyDb6VMRHYW

Wine glasses work fine for whisky; I find that sometimes a smaller glass helps lessen the presence of alcohol. My current favourite is Spiegelau's.

Mostly a glencairn, but I'm starting to like the Taylor'D glasses for bourbon. They're basically a wider, shorter glencairn.

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Amazon Smile Link: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PGM7MO/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00


|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|Germany|amazon.de|
|Canada|amazon.ca|
|Italy|amazon.it|




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My friends (who typically host the tasting) bought them locally for this specific reason. These are the ones we use.

Semi random question but what do you call those glasses? I need to have some. Could you hit me back with a link for amazon? Are they these? https://www.amazon.com/Spiegelau-Special-Glasses-Snifter-Premium-x/dp/B013074KHS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540534801&sr=8-3&keywords=Stemmed+nosing+copita

Luigi Bormioli 09649/06 Vinoteque 5.75 oz Snifter/Liqueur Glasses Set of 6 Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PGM7MO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_USsPCbASDG75H

Looks like this my man

https://www.amazon.com/Taylord-Milestones-Reserve-Improving-Glassware/dp/B01ATV2Q5Q

"Reserve Whiskey Glasses"

I like these.

I like these.

Here’s one next to a Glencairn.

What, everybody else said, despite the nice presentation, rocks are kind of a gimic.

Might i recommend instead.
This or this instead.

I use these Kentucky Bourbon Trail Glasses. They are similar to glencarin and have a cool etching.

Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glasses, Set of 4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHKXNVY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_esESDbPNBJYPS

I think it's worth having 2 styles of glass around for whiskey, a nosing glass and a tumbler sort of affair. I find that cask proof things in a glencairn just lead to getting a nose full of alcohol.

For the nosing glass Stemmed Glencairn > Brandy Balloon > Glencairn

For the Tumbler: Tumbler > Single Rocks Glass > Double Old Fashioned Glass > shot glass

Brandy snifter and warmer.

Similar, not quite so fancy one - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cognac-Brandy-Warmer-with-Glass/dp/B000Y9Q5GA

https://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Whisky-Glass-Crystal-Tasting/dp/B00JMOMGK2

i believe the common term is ginger jar top

https://www.amazon.com/Spiegelau-Special-Glasses-Snifter-Premium/dp/B013074KHS

Here, i couldn't find singles but you can get a set of 4 of the Spiegelaus for around $55:

https://www.amazon.com/Spiegelau-Special-Glasses-Snifter-Premium/dp/B013074KHS/ref=pd_sbs_79_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B013074KHS&pd_rd_r=95YZB4KNHNTD6ANE3842&pd_rd_w=0GYY6&pd_rd_wg=EFnIu&psc=1&refRID=95YZB4KNHNTD6ANE3842

Mine was a little more expensive, but I think has the appropriate flair for bourbon: https://smile.amazon.com/Kentucky-Themed-Glencairn-Whisky-Glass/dp/B00DJUY1W6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=kentucky+glencairn&qid=1571939705&sr=8-3

or get these https://www.amazon.com/Stemmed-Nosing-Copita-Whiskey-Tasting/dp/B01IAIVZYI/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1541516836&sr=8-8&keywords=whiskey+tasting+glass

Also these...

https://www.amazon.ca/Luigi-Bormioli-Vinoteque-Snifter-4-Ounce/dp/B004PGM7MO/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1500135827&sr=1-2&keywords=luigi+bormioli+vinoteque

I just bought a set of these. More of glencairn shape, but with a stem.

bam: https://www.amazon.com/Brilliant-Highland-Tasting-Nosing-6-75oz/dp/B076TGMJZV/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536549641&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=highland+whiskey+drinking+glass&dpPl=1&dpID=31x0EH1kRIL&ref=plSrch

The Libbey bourbon glass is a fatter glass similar to a glencairn

https://www.amazon.com/Libbey-Signature-Kentucky-Bourbon-Whiskey/dp/B07BHKXNVY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=libbey+bourbon+trail+glass&qid=1557545834&s=gateway&sprefix=libbey+bou&sr=8-3