The desire to break into the high-brow world of whisky drinking is a great one, no question; but if you’re serious about getting the most out of your proverbial single malt, then spending some time thinking about the appropriate drinking vessel is almost non-negotiable.
And while you’re certainly free to drink whisky however the hell you please, we’ve made a few inclusions in our latest Buyer’s Guide below that will (hopefully) take your enjoyment to the next level.
Here then are 12 of our favourite whisky glasses, all of which will make for fine additions to your home bar set-up.
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Jump To:
- The 12 Best Scotch & Whisky Glasses On The Market Right Now
- Glencairn Crystal Whisky Glass
- Everest Whiskey Glass
- Denver & Liely Whisky Glass
- Norlan Whisky Glass
- Malt + Brew Whisky Wave Glass
- Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge Glass
- Norlan Rauk Heavy Tumbler
- Anchor Hocking Glencairn Crystal Canadian Whisky Glass
- Viski Seneca Faceted Crystal Tumbler
- Royal Scot Crystal Scottish Thistle Tumbler
- Riedel Shadows Tumbler
- Luigi Bormioli Bach Tumbler
- Best Whisky Glasses: Frequently Asked Questions
The 12 Best Scotch & Whisky Glasses On The Market Right Now
Glencairn Crystal Whisky Glass
Glencairn set the standard for premium crystal glasses and now, the design is synonymous with its namesake and reigns true across multiple manufacturers. With a thick-cut “tartan” or “hatch” design and tapered mouth, they’ll make those delicate nose elements easy to experience than a standard short glass.
- Iconic design with classic hatch cut pattern
- Thicker glass for a more substantial feel in the hand
- Arrived in a set of two so you can enjoy a dram with company
- Expensive, with other less ornate Glencairn-style glasses more affordable
Everest Whiskey Glass
The Everest whiskey glass is no novelty — this meticulously crafted drinkware boasts a 3D scale replica of the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest. Make no mistake: this is a bold design detail that’s sure to be a strong talking point at your next whisky-themed get-together.
- Chill Charge Exchange System to cool your whiskey in 18 seconds
- 100% lead free crystalline glass
- More durable than other crystal tumblers
- Less traditional if you’re a Scotch purist
Denver & Liely Whisky Glass
Rated the number one whisky glass by Forbes, the Denver & Liely vessel has been self-titled as “the best possible, highest performance whisky glass in the world.” They also do a dedicated bourbon whiskey glass which shows the brand’s dedication to delivering both a unique malt and corn experience. With top-notch customer service from an Australian brand, Denver & Liely is worth supporting.
- Highly rated by critics everywhere
- Australian made
- Hand-blown, hand-cut and hand-polished lead-free crystal
- A relatively high price to pay for a single glass
Norlan Whisky Glass
The Norlan whisky glass is one of the best in the business. Made using a hand-blown, double-walled borosilicate construction; the design is unapologetically modern.
The hand-blown double-walled borosilicate glass embraces a modern design and a concave outer rim fits the lower lip of the mouth perfectly. As a bonus: Cape Byron master distiller Jim McEwan consulted on the glass’s shape and final design.
- Double walled design to amplify complexity on the nose
- Design input from legendary master distiller Jim McEwan
- More than 500,000 sold since launch
- Lightweight feeling in the hand if you’re used to solid-bottom crystal
Malt + Brew Whisky Wave Glass
Malt + Brew is a family-owned business from Melbourne that is inspired by the world of Japanese aesthetics when it comes to its beautiful, sculptural whisky glasses. The range is wide and takes in many different styles, but these ‘Wave’ numbers are a particularly unique bestseller.
- Melbourne designed
- Hand blown
- Ergonomically designed to fit into your hand
- Natural imperfections from the hand blowing process might turn off perfectionists
Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge Glass
Say goodbye to overly watered-down whisky with this unique take on the whisky glass that captures the best of chilled scotch or bourbon with a strategically designed ice wedge. Lower ice surface area means slower melting, so you won’t be drinking punch by the time you get to the bottom of your glass.
- Thoughtful solution to a Scotch-lover’s problem
- Looks great in the hand
- Dishwasher Safe
- Requires the forethought of freezing the glass to create the ice
Norlan Rauk Heavy Tumbler
Norlan’s Rauk heavy tumbler is seriously heavy in the hand and could stop a charging elephant if used as a projectile. Despite its heft, the design is balanced and articulate, sure to leave your mates asking what it’s called and how they can get their own.
- Lead free crystal from the Czech Republic
- Interesting internal design
- Serious presence in the hand at nearly 500g
- Quite expensive for a single glass
Anchor Hocking Glencairn Crystal Canadian Whisky Glass
Designed to be enjoyed specifically with Canadian whisky, this hybrid between a neat glass and snifter allows for the fullest appreciation of colour, with a flat bottom providing reliable stability.
- Wide design for the fullest appreciation of colo
- Tapered opening to amplify scent complexities
- Flat stable bottom
- Quite expensive for a single glass
Viski Seneca Faceted Crystal Tumbler
This angular, mid-century crystal design looks great on any bar cart and can be rested upright or even on an angle without fully capitulating.
- Lead-free crystal
- Interesting angular design
- Relatively affordable for a pair
- Recommended hand washing only
Royal Scot Crystal Scottish Thistle Tumbler
This crystal tumbler is a classically hand-cut whisky glass with a distinctive ‘Scottish Thistle’ diamond motif. The kind of glass you’d expect to see a certain secret agent being handed after a job well done — with a price to match the clandestine budget of British intelligence.
- Extremely high quality crystal
- Distinctive diamonds and Scottish Thistle design
- Powerful weight in the hand
- Extremely expensive
Riedel Shadows Tumbler
While Riedel is best known for its world-class stemware, the legendary Austrian purveyor of hand-blown crystal also knows its way around a Scotch glass — the Shadows Tumbler being a perfect example. With old-world art deco design cues and a charming in-hand weight, there’s quite a bit to be enjoyed here.
- Great art deco design
- Affordable crystal tumblers
- Dish-washer safe
- Not as weighty as other crystal tumblers
Luigi Bormioli Bach Tumbler
These Italian-made, smash-resistant glasses from Luigi Bormioli are available in a variety of sizes: perfect for covering all bases ranging from a neat drop of Scotch to sophisticated classic cocktails.
Note: the decanter pictured in the product listing is, unfortunately, not included.
- Italian made
- Affordably priced
- Dish-washer safe break-resistant glass
- Not crystal
Best Whisky Glasses: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a whiskey glass called?
When we’re talking about typical whiskey glasses we’re usually referring to an Old Fashioned glass, also known as a rocks glass or whiskey tumbler.
Why are whiskey glasses tilted?
Whiskey glasses are usually tilted to increase the amount of liquid that is exposed to air, helping release more of those complex aromas.
Are Scotch and whiskey glasses the same?
No. A Scotch glass would be smaller with a tulip shape – what you’d normally see on the table for a whisky tasting. These are known as a snifter or Glencairn, whereas a whiskey glass usually refers to an Old Fashioned glass.
Why do whiskey glasses have a thick bottom?
Whiskey glasses have a thick bottom mostly to prevent temperature change. This helps ice keep its shape for much longer.
Enjoyed this Buyer’s Guide to the best whisky glasses? Then why not take a moment to peruse some of our wine & spirits-related stories?
