WHAT IS A
GLENCAIRN GLASS?

Developed in Scotland, the Glencairn glass is specifically designed to enhance the whiskey drinking experience. In recent years, it has replaced the rocks glass for many people who enjoy their whiskey neat...  

 

While not the only glass on the market specifically designed for whiskeys, it is the first style endorsed by the Scotch Whisky Association. 

Brandy, wine, and Champagne have their own style glasses for a reason. You wouldn't drink wine in a rocks glass, brandy in a flute, or Champagne from a shot glass. The glass shape can impact your entire drinking experience, from the aroma to the taste of whatever you're imbibing. Given the complexities of whiskey, some enthusiasts are surprised a whiskey-specific glass did not materialize years earlier.

History of the Glencairn Glass 

Raymond Davidson, founder and managing director of Glencairn Crystal in Scotland, designed the Glencairn glass more than 20 years before it was eventually produced. He envisioned a glass with similar characteristics to the copita, a traditional sherry nosing glass. 

The original design sat in a filing cabinet until Davidson's sons revisited their father's original idea. However, they needed some help. Getting this glass to the production phase required Glencairn to pull together master blenders from five of the largest whiskey distillers to perfect Davidson's original design. 

The first Glencairn glass debuted in 2001. It's now found at all distilleries in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, as well as much of the United States. It's also popular at whiskey festivals. Glencairn now produces multiple versions, including one designed for Canadian whisky. Only five years after its release, the Glencairn glass earned the prestigious Queen's Award for Innovation in 2006.

Original Glencairn Glass Design

The original Glencairn glass is around 6 U.S. fluid ounces, designed to hold 1.7 U.S. fluid ounces of whiskey. It is approximately 4.5 inches tall. The glass design has specific characteristics, crafted to produce the best whiskey drinking experience: 

• Wide crystal bowl: The larger crystal bowl allows you to appreciate a whiskey's color fully. 
• Tapered mouth: A tapering mouth captures more of the aroma, allowing you to experience more concentrated notes on your nose.
• Patented shape: The glass's patented shape allows you to admire a whiskey's body. The idea is for the glass to fit comfortably in your hand, allowing the whiskey to develop more in the glass.
• Tasting cap: You can also add a tasting cap that helps contain the whiskey vapors, providing added aromas when nosing. 

The Glencairn's short and solid base won over many whiskey drinkers who were not fans of stem glasses. It's also ideal for people learning to swirl whiskey. The idea behind swirling whiskey is the same as with wine. You want to release oxygen and aromas that have been bottled up for years. 

Glencairn Glass Variations

Glencairn also produces several other variations of the original glass. Examples include: 

• Glencairn “Original" Cut Crystal: This design features a cut crystal design for that added touch of class. 
• Glencairn "Canadian”: Larger size glass designed for Canadian whisky, so there's room to add ice or a whisky stone. 
• Wee Glencairn: Also called the distiller's glass, this Glencairn glass is smaller than the original. It is a popular choice for distilleries who serve samples or whiskey subscription clubs. 
• Glass Trophy: The Glencairn Glass Trophy is a massive 12 inches tall, a popular item for gifts, decoration, or prize-giving rather than drinking. 

Glencairn recently released a limited-edition black option that became an instant success. The reason? Some whiskey connoisseurs enjoy a blind tasting. The black glass helps whiskey drinkers develop their senses. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Glencairn glass, the company released an open edition blind tasting glass set with red, gold, black, green, and blue glasses. The set also includes a standard clear Glencairn glass. 

Interesting Facts About the Glencairn Glass 

Since the glass's debut in 2001, Glencairn has manufactured over 28 million units. Current annual production rates hover around three million glasses, with over 65,000 new ones sold weekly. The Glencairn glass is available in over 90 countries across all seven continents. That means you can even have one in Antarctica! 

Part of what makes the Glencairn glass so special is the craftsmanship. For every engraved glass, the Glencairn process requires the expertise of nine different people. The popularity of the Glencairn glass has led to an entire range of merchandise, from key rings and lapel pins to earrings and cufflinks. 

Other Types of Whiskey Glasses 

While the Glencairn glass is the standard in the industry, you can still enjoy a good whiskey in other bourbon glasses. Examples include: 

• Copita or tulip glass: This glass is similar to the one used in Spain to sample sherry. 
• Whiskey tumbler: The whiskey tumbler is also known as a rocks glass, the lowball, or the old fashioned glass. It is the most common one for people adding ice to their whiskey or making a whiskey cocktail. 
• Highball: This is the glass for you if you drink whiskey and soda. It's also recommended for other simple whiskey drinks, such as whiskey and ginger ale. 
• NEAT glass: NEAT stands for Naturally Engineered Aroma Technology. This glass is a newer invention, but it resulted from a glassblowing factory mistake. The odd-shaped glass turned out to be perfect for transferring any harsh alcohol vapors away from the nose. 

Despite the popularity of the Glencairn glass, some whiskey drinkers do not like the concentration of aromas that the inward curve creates. Other complaints include the size and dainty nature of the Glencairn glass. Some people feel the sipping experience is more challenging, especially for someone with a larger face or nose. That means someone might have to experience smelling and tasting separately. That could be ideal for identifying a whiskey's particular characteristics, but it can take some of the fun out of the overall experience. 

The tumbler remains one of the best choices for enjoying a beautifully crafted whiskey, especially for newer whiskey drinkers. Whether you choose the Glencairn glass or an old-fashioned one, the important thing is to create the best whiskey drinking experience for you.