What Type of Glass is Best for Whiskey?

There are several types of whiskey glasses. Each one is designed to enhance the tasting and nosing of whiskey. But which glass should you use? We break down the different types of whiskey glasses and what you should use at your next whiskey tasting.

Guide to Whiskey Glasses

There are many types of glasses on the market for whiskey drinking, but the most common types of whiskey glasses are:

1. Glencairn Glass

2. Tulip Glass

3. Rocks Glass

4. Highball Glass

5. Neat Glass

Glencairn Glass

The glencairn glass is the standard whiskey tasting glass. It is the primary glass type used at most distilleries. This glass has a short, thick base with a bulbous shape and a narrow rim. The base and bulbous shape make it perfect for swirling the whiskey, while the narrow rim keeps the aroma in as you nose the spirit.

The Glencairn glass was developed by Glencairn Crystal Ltd in Scotland specifically for drinking whiskey–making it your go-to whiskey drinking glass.

Tulip Glass

The Tulip glass, also known as the copita-style glass or the dock glass, is also a very popular glass for whiskey distillers. The tulip glass is similar to the Glencairn glass in shape, with a narrow rim, but the tulip glass also has a longer stem, similar to a wine glass. This makes it easier for the drinker’s hand to be further away from their nose when nosing the whiskey. It can also be cradled easily, like a wine glass, to warm the whiskey, if you desire a warmer spirit.

Rocks Glass

The rocks, or tumbler glass is probably the most common whiskey and cocktail glass found in bars today. This glass has a wide rim, not ideal for nosing, but perfect for filling with ice and whiskey. The wide rim is great for muddling ingredients for any number of cocktail recipes. This glass is perfect for whiskey drinkers who want to enjoy a nice old fashioned or whiskey sour or any other wonderful whiskey cocktails.

Highball Glass

The highball glass is similar to the rocks, or tumbler, but (as the name implies) goes higher. This tall glass is the preferred choice for a scotch and soda and has become more popular lately with simple cocktails like the whiskey and lemonade. The tall shape makes it good for adding lots of ice and slowly enjoying your cocktail on a warm summer day.

NEAT Glass

The newest glass is the NEAT glass. This glass came from a mistake in a glass blowing class in 2002, but has quickly become the office glass of most spirits competitions throughout the United States. The NEAT (Naturally Engineered Aroma Technology) glass uses physics and science to create a glass for nosing and drinking enjoyment. The glass is bulbous and then tapers in, but the rim dramatically tapers out wide allowing for the smelling of aromas without the harsh ethanol smell which can be found with most other glasses. The NEAT glass is a must-have in your home bar if you are focused on the tasting, and nosing, of your favorite whiskeys.

Need a few new glasses for your home bar? Be sure to head over to our store to shop for Eight Oaks barware.