When it comes to whiskey, the right glass can be the difference between a subpar sip and a top-tier tasting experience. A proper whiskey glass is short and stout, with a wide base to keep your whiskey cool and a tapered rim to send those rich aromas straight to your nose.
A classic Glencairn glass or a stylish snifter is best suited to whiskey tasting. Their wide bodies and tight rims promote swirling without splashing, allowing you to open up the aromas of your whiskey. For cocktails, your best bet might be a tall and tapered highball glass, with plenty of room for ice and mixers.
The right whiskey glass will make a great addition to your home bar ideas. They should sit beside old-fashioned glasses, but they're not the same. When there are so many types of glass for sale, and so many different glassware dealers, it can be difficult to know where to start.
That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. I’m a shopping writer, and I’ve spent hours sorting through thousands of whiskey glasses on all the top glassware sites. I’ve narrowed it down to the nine glasses that you need in your drinks cabinet. Lowball or highball, snifter or sipper, I’ve got the glass for you.
Best whiskey glasses 2024
Capacity: 6.5 oz
Material: Lead Free Crystal
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 1
+Ideal for whiskey tasting
+Dishwasher-safe
-Unsuitable for cocktails or larger drinks
The Stölzle Lausitz Glencairn Whiskey Glass was made with real whiskey connoisseurs in mind. While it’s a little small to double as a cocktail glass, it’s the perfect size for whiskey tasting. Just two-and-a-half inches wide, this small diameter rim banishes external aromas to keep the smell of your whiskey concentrated on the nose. Its shorter, more solid base adds stability when you’re swirling, so that you can appreciate the unique bouquet of your whiskey to its fullest potential. It’s even dishwasher-safe, for quick and easy cleanup after your tasting.
Capacity: 10 oz
Material: Crystal Glass
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 2
+Well-flared
+Affordable
-May not suit all drinkers
These tall glasses are great for temperature regulation: simply hold by the stem to keep your spirit cool, or cradle the bowl to warm it up. The long stem prevents your hand from coming too near your nose and muddling the bouquet of your bourbon, while the bowl shape works to concentrate aromas through its slightly narrowed rim. The tulip flare on this crystal glass is neither overblown nor underdeveloped, but just large enough that you can really get your nose in. At less than $10 a glass, this is great performance at a lower price point.
Capacity: 7 oz
Material: Unspecified
Dishwasher-safe: No
Set size: 1
+Ideal for whiskey tastings
-Not suitable for cocktails or larger drinks
-Not dishwasher-safe
This is a glass in the classic snifter shape, with a wide body and a tight rim designed to direct the bouquet of aromas up towards the nose. The curvature of the bowl means you can swirl your whiskey without spilling it, which makes this a great tasting glass. Whiskey is meant to be sipped and savored, and the size of this glass reflects that. Less than five inches tall, with a seven-ounce capacity, the Sipping Snifter is designed for smaller servings. The only drawback is that it’s not dishwasher-safe: you’ll need to wash this glass by hand when your whiskey tasting’s done.
Capacity: 9.5 oz
Material: Lead Free Crystal
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 4
+Ideal for cocktails
+Sturdy brim and base
-Hand wash for best results
Created in collaboration with award-winning mixologist Stephan Hinz, these crystal glasses are perfect for cocktails. The wide brim and base is weighty enough to stand up to each stage of the cocktail-making process, from the high-intensity sugar muddling to the ingredient grinding. It’s dishwasher-safe, to a point, if you avoid harsh detergents and rinse each glass thoroughly to avoid soap residue. Really, it’s best to hand wash and polish each piece.
Capacity: 7 oz
Material: Crystalline glass
Dishwasher-safe: Unspecified
Set size: 2
+Uses naturally engineered aroma technology
+Increases aeration
-Not dishwasher-safe
Born from a simple manufacturing mistake, the NEAT glass has become the go-to for professional tasters and home brewers alike. Its larger surface area increases aeration, while its curved sides enhance swirling, all unlocking a greater number of new aromas. Each NEAT glass – which stands for ‘naturally engineered aroma technology’ – has a pronounced upper lip, so it looks more like a jar or a vase. This lip ushers out nose-numbing aromas, such as ethanol and other alcohols, creating a greater concentration of more intense and flavorful aromas. Just two caveat: you’ll have to wash this little glass by hand, and a handful of reviewers say it's a little tricky to sip from.
Capacity: 11 oz
Material: Lead Free Crystal
Dishwasher-safe: No
Set size: 4
+Timeless design
+Easy to hold
-Slightly on the smaller side
-Not dishwasher-safe
With an 11-ounce capacity, the Marquis Double Old Fashioned Glass is slightly on the smaller side. The average double old fashioned glass will hold around 12 to 16 ounces, which is roughly twice the capacity of a single. However, this glass is still large enough to accommodate a generous measure of whiskey and release its unique flavor. Each glass in this four-piece set features the classic cut pattern design, lending timeless elegance to any cocktail hour. The only downside is that it isn’t dishwasher safe, so you’ll need to rinse and polish each crystal glass by hand.
Capacity: 18 oz
Material: Tritan glass
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 1
+Ideal for whiskey cocktails
+Dishwasher-safe
-May not suit all drinkers
Schott Zwiesel has been creating quality glassware since 1872, and this tapered tumbler is one of their best. Made from Tritan glass, it’s break-, chip-, and scratch-resistant, and it’s totally dishwasher-safe. Its 18-ounce capacity leaves plenty of room for ice, spirit, and mixer. This highball glass is best suited to mixed serves, such as whiskey and ginger ale or whiskey and lemonade, as well as any number of classic cocktails. Not one for the whiskey purists, this is a glass for the cocktail connoisseurs.
Capacity: 9 oz
Material: Glass
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 4
+Increases aeration
+Dishwasher-safe
-May not suit all drinkers
Traditionally used to showcase champagne, coupe glasses are also well-suited to whiskey. The wide bowl increases aeration and unlocks aromas, so that you can appreciate those scents and flavors that might get suffocated in a smaller glass. It’s stylish, too, with a soaring stem and a reinforced flat foot for extra stability. Better yet, it’s totally dishwasher-safe for quick and easy cleaning.
Capacity: 5 oz
Material: Crystal glass
Dishwasher-safe: Unspecified
Set size: 4
+Designed to hold in aromas
+Hand-blown and finished
-May not suit all drinkers
The vast majority of cocktails can be served in a pair of Nick & Nora glasses, so a good set is essential for any home bartender. These crystal glasses have been hand-blown and finished with a thin rim for garnishes. With a tighter bowl and straighter sides, this glass is designed to hold in aromas, minimize spills, and keep your whiskey cooler. Their small size makes them super easy to store in your drinks cabinet or display on one of the best bar carts.
Best whiskey glass FAQs
Is a whiskey glass necessary?
While it might be easier to pour your whiskey into a wine glass, experts advise against it. To appreciate the full flavor and bouquet of your whiskey, you need a glass that’s tapered at the top. Such designs minimize the influence of outside air and aromas and increase the concentration of your whiskey. For the best whiskey tasting experience, you should invest in one of these nine glasses. They’re stylish, capacious, and they won’t break the bank.
Which whiskey glass is best?
Which whiskey glass is best all depends on which beverage you want to serve, and how you want to savor it.
Whiskey connoisseurs should look for glasses with short, solid bases, curved bowls and tight rims. Tulip-shaped glasses or snifters are best for swirling and sipping whiskeys, as they keep out external aromas. Cocktail lovers should look for glasses with plenty of space for ice, water, and mixers alongside their whiskey. A highball might be best, or a classic old fashioned glass. For those taking their first few sips, the NEAT glass is great for dispelling those strong ethanol smells and preserving the flavor of your whiskey.
Final thoughts
Once you’ve found the right whiskey glass for you, it’s important to care for it properly. It’s a good idea to learn how to store glassware safely and stylishly, and how to stop glassware from scratching.
A bar cart is one of the best ways to display your whiskey glasses and bottles. Rather than overcrowding your cart, it’s worth learning how to organize a bar cart properly.
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