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The Spruce Eats / Chloe Jeong
Fred Noe, Beam Family Seventh Generation Master Distiller, puts it pretty simply: “I always say you can drink bourbon any way you want to, and that goes for the glass. There are no set rules, but I like to enjoy mine in a nice rocks glass with a few cubes of ice or with a little water, too.”
Mr. Noe is right. The whiskey—spelled "whiskey" when it's made in America or Ireland and "whisky" when made anywhere else—glass you choose comes down to personal taste. Pouring some fine Scotch or bourbon at the end of the day is a tiny but satisfying ceremony for a whiskey drinker, and the glass should add a touch of joy to the ritual.
Whether you prefer a glass that feels substantial in the hand, one that helps you better enjoy the aromas, or a glass that just looks cool, here are the best whiskey glasses to elevate the drinking experience.
Best Overall: Riedel Tumbler Collection Spey Whisky, Set of 2
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Courtesy of Williams Sonoma
Large enough for a cocktail
Versatile enough for everyday use
Dishwasher safe
Clear, cut crystal
Not stackable
Riedel Crystal has been designing some of the world’s most exquisite glassware since 1756. The company is older than America. And those 300 years have led to the craftsmanship that can be seen in the brand's Spey Whisky Tumblers.
This glass offers a rare combination of quality and style at an affordable price. Taking its name from Scotland’s River Spey, an area that is renowned for producing fine whisky, the glass features a chic design full of diamond and wedge cuts. The style is inspired by the Art Nouveau period. Even when you’re not drinking, these glasses, which come in a set of two, are so stunning that they work as a showpiece in your den, kitchen, or dining room.
The Spey Tumblers are heavily weighted at the bottom, guaranteeing a sturdy, measured sip every time. They're dishwasher safe, hold up to 10 ounces, and, the best part, come at an unbeatable price. Our tester found the glasses could handle a large portion of ice for all your old-fashioneds, Boulevardiers, and Manhattans on the rocks. They're also big enough to accommodate a beefy rock if you prefer to use large single cubes with those mixed drinks.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
"Versatile and great for everyday use, they add a touch of fun and flair whether you’re having a drink solo or offering a guest a tipple in any form." — Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester
Best for Single Malt: Glencairn Whiskey Glasses
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Courtesy of Glencairn
Nosing-optimized design
Dishwasher safe
A cost-conscious option
Solid feel
Unsuitable for cocktails or ice
Not stackable
If you’ve been to a legit whiskey tasting, odds are you have sampled the wares from a Glencairn glass. The tulip-like design funnels aromas to the nose to better help you appreciate the nuanced notes of your bourbon, malt, or rye. Glencairns are also easy to hold and swirl. Plus they’re affordable, so it won’t cost a fortune to keep a good number on hand for you and some friends to sample a few varieties of whiskey. Made from lead-free crystal, the glasses are dishwasher safe.
Our tester called the weight of the glass "substantial but not excessive" and also enjoyed the tapered rim, which makes sipping easy. While these glasses aren't big enough for cocktails and ice, their classic design is perfect for anyone who enjoys their whiskey neat.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
"I’m not a snob—not every tipple I pour goes into a Glencairn—but when I’m trying something new, contrasting a few different drams, or engaged in a full-on tasting these are my go-to." – Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester
Best for Bourbon: Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glasses
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Courtesy of Amazon
The shape funnels aroma well
Large enough to add a little ice
Stackable
Dishwasher safe
Not good for cocktails
These are the official glasses of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which is probably all that needs to be said. Made from ClearFire glass, they are thin but hearty and feature a wide bowl so you can swirl while you sip. The shape also tapers toward the top to help you soak in aromas. These 8-ounce bourbon glasses come in a set of four, so you can easily pour yourself a flight. Plus they are dishwasher safe and stackable for easy cleanup and minimal storage.
While they look like the Glencairn’s little brother, they are a bit different. Our tester, a long-time user of the Glencairn glass, found the Libbey distinct enough that you may want to own both. The mouth is wide enough to fit a medium-sized cube of ice, but not large enough for a big craft ball or rock.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
"The shape of the glass helps funnel aromas to the olfactory, which helps the drinker engage with more of the flavors in the drink, and because of its deliberate design, it gives you the feel of a serious tasting experience, even if you’re only drinking good-old Maker's Mark." – Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester
Best Double Wall: Norlan Whisky Glass
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Epic cool factor
Double-walled so your hand won’t warm the spirit
Not dishwasher safe
The Norlan whisky glass is all the rage with double-wall enthusiasts. The company takes two molded pieces of borosilicate glass and fuses the two together by spinning them across a linear flame. The result reflects the hue of the whiskey back up through the rim, giving it the shimmering appearance of gold paint. While the Norlan holds 5.9 ounces, you won’t want to fill it up or add aroma-killing ice to allow your senses to take full advantage of the glass’s design. Sold in pairs, the company does not recommend putting them in the dishwasher.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
Material: Borosilicate Glass | Capacity: 5.9 ounces | Set of 2
“These are a fun way to share a dram with friends. They actually feel sturdier in the hand than you’d expect. But because Norlan doesn’t recommend them for the dishwasher, I probably wouldn’t use them on a daily basis.” – Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester
Best Gift: Well Told Urban Map Glass
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Courtesy of Uncommon Goods
Cool design
Dishwasher safe
Affordable
All cities aren't available
Need a cool gift for a whiskey drinker? Consider these Urban Map glasses from the Boston-based Well Told design shop. The vessels themselves are made in Ohio and then etched in New Hampshire. Each detailed design flows around the glass. From Atlanta to Los Angeles and Miami to Pittsburgh, there are a large number of cities from which to choose, whether your recipient left his heart in San Francisco or she calls Chicago home sweet home. The glasses are 11 ounces, so they are big enough to hold a sizable drink; they're also dishwasher safe, so no special care is required.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
Material: Glass | Capacity: 11 ounces | Set of 1
“This is a fun piece for a collector. The etching actually makes the glass easier to hold. You definitely want to wash these a few times before you use them as I had a few tiny flakes of glass come off on my fingers while I was admiring the design right out of the box.” – Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester
Best Crystal: Lorren Home Trends Opera RCR 11 Oz. Crystal Whiskey Glass
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Courtesy of Wayfair
Substantial weight
Beautiful formal look
Large enough for an old-fashioned
Visible seams
A classic double old-fashioned glass is a must for every home bar, and nothing feels quite like crystal when you’re sipping whiskey. The weight of the glass makes even a dull dram feel more substantial. This handsome set of six RCR crystal glasses from Lorren Home Trends is a great value, and since their 11-ounce capacity makes them excellent for cocktails as well as whiskey, they're also versatile. While they are dishwasher safe and lead-free, washing by hand is recommended to preserve the glasses’ sparkle and translucence. A few reviewers noted a visible seam on the glasses, which they say isn't a huge detraction, but if you're looking for perfect uniformity, it's something you'll notice.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
Material: RCR crystal | Capacity: 11 ounces | Set of 6
“These truly do feel lux at an affordable price point. They have a nice weight in the hand and easily fit a large ice cube for even your fussiest craft cocktail.” – Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester
Best Design: NEAT Glass Official Competition Judging Glass
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Courtesy of Amazon
Nice conversation piece
Thoughtful design
Dishwasher safe
Not for cocktails
If you are serious about enjoying the nose of your whiskey and want to get the most out of the bottles you buy, you might want to try the NEAT glass. Particularly great for Japanese whisky, this is a vessel made with love—development lasted nine years and took 52 design revisions. Made from Slovakian's finest lead-free, dishwasher-safe crystalline, the glass features a wide bowl that holds a 1.5-ounce pour at the apex. NEAT recommends swirling and placing your nose at the center of the rim so you can smell the whiskey without exposing your beak to unwanted alcohol burn, which can impair your ability to pick up on aromas.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
Material: Crystalline | Capacity: 2 ounces | Set of 2
“The design is funky but fluid and the experience is similar to a Glencairn. Also, the NEAT glasses are surprisingly stackable.” – Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester
Best Personalized: Home Wet Bar On the Rocks 12 oz. Whiskey Glass
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Courtesy of Wayfair
Easy customization
Big enough for mixed drinks
Missing a luxury vibe
For some traditionalists, having monogrammed glasses is imperative. Home Wet Bar's 12-ounce version comes in a set of four that get etched to your specifications—which might give a few friends a chance to learn your middle name. But remember, when requesting your initials, go first name, last name, then the middle, so your family name ends up bigger than the others. The glass is dishwasher safe, but the company recommends handwashing.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
Material: Glass | Capacity: 4 ounces | Set of 2
“Beyond the ability to personalize these, the glasses feel quite basic. Good weight in the hand but they don’t add much to the experience.” – Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester
What to Look for in a Whiskey Glass
Materials
Most barware is made from glass. While some makers produce various metal vessels, plastic versions, and even wooden cups, we prefer glass to more opaque vessels because it allows the drinker to appreciate the nuanced colors of different whiskies and won’t impart any flavor to the spirit the way some metals and wood can. Humans have been using glass cups for millennia; it’s inexpensive, durable, and typically easy to clean.
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The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
A bit fancier, crystal is a type of glass that adds a bit of sparkle to any drink, and the material allows the maker to craft more intricate designs. Of course, it’s typically handwash-only and can be rather expensive. While crystal has traditionally been made with lead oxide because it makes the glass more refractive, we recommend searching out lead-free versions as wines and spirits can leach lead over time plus lead can impart some unwanted flavors. However, according to the FDA, the occasional drink taken from a leaded crystal glass shouldn’t pose too much of an issue, unless you’re pregnant or plan on becoming so.
Other materials like plastic, wood, metal, and even ceramic can make good, attractive whiskey glasses, but you’ll want to think about what best serves your lifestyle and aesthetic and go from there.
Quantity
How many glasses you should buy really depends on how often you entertain, your storage capacity, and how often you want to wash them. Typically, glasses are sold in packs of four. You may be able to get away with a single set, but even a modest gathering will require a few more. We like to keep eight to 12 Glencairn-style glasses for sipping, a dozen or more stackable, highly versatile tumblers, and at least eight coupés, in case your usual guests love to start an evening off with a Manhattan.
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The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Design
There is no shortage of designs for whiskey glasses. You can find barware in nearly every shape and size as well as double-walled, adorned with etchings, monograms, bejeweled, patterned crystal, or even colorful glass. The world, in terms of aesthetics, is truly your oyster. But keep in mind that crystal, Murano glass, or anything with a metallic rim likely won’t be as easy to care for as types of whiskey glasses that are a little less precious.
Price
You can certainly find a whiskey glass for less than the price of a Big Mac; tumblers that cost a dollar or two are plentiful. Or you could shell out a tidy sum for a single piece of handmade crystal from Ireland or France; the cost of a set can reach four figures. Prices vary widely depending on what you want, but a set of four handsome glasses that you’ll enjoy in your hand and will fetch compliments from guests can easily be had for under $50.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
Types of Whiskey Glasses
"Tasting" Glass
For sipping, we recommend something akin to the Glencairn or the NEAT, which are essentially whiskey-specific snifters that are much smaller than the brandy version. Glasses of this style are frequently used at serious whiskey tastings and competitions. Similar to a tulip glass, though stemless with a heavier base and generally featuring a wider bowl, the floral shape helps funnel aromas to your olfactory receptors so you’re better able to appreciate the nuances of your whiskey. It's also easy to eyeball a full dram pour, and the heavy base feels nice in the hand.
Tumbler
Classic tumbler-style or rocks-style glasses work for sipping neat as well, but are particularly great for a drinker who takes their bourbon, Scotch, or rye with a cube or two. The large mouth makes it easy to add ice and top with whiskey. While you can find an incredible number of handsome designs, you’ll want a set that isn’t too thinly blown with a good, stable base.
Highball Glass
For whiskey soda aficionados, highball glasses are a solid addition to any bar. Long and tall, these glasses will hold a stack of ice, a few ounces of liquor, and a portion of soda on top. Also, holding a big, ice-cold highball glass on a hot summer day is remarkably refreshing.
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The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
Coupé
A large number of folks prefer their brown spirits mixed in a cocktail. While rocks glasses are great for an old-fashioned or a Vieux Carré, we think a drink served "up" requires something a little more delicate, like a stemmed coupé glass that doesn’t slosh quite as much as a martini glass.
Shot Glass
Don’t bother with these unless you hate the taste of whiskey and just want to chase it with beer. No connoisseur would simply throw their expensive expression down the hatch in one big gulp. Sure, you could sip from a shot glass, but why would you? Its small size makes it hard to handle and too easy to spill your precious dram.
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The Spruce Eats / Nicholas McClelland
Brands
Glencairn
Originally created in the early 2000s, the Glencairn quickly became the first choice of many distilleries and bars across Scotland and Ireland. Its distinctive glasses have become standard issue at whiskey tastings across the globe. Glencairn makes its glasses from lead-free crystal in a design that funnels all the amazing whiskey smells to the nose, informing the way you appreciate the drink's flavor.
Libbey
Founded in Massachusetts as the New England Glass Company in 1818, Libbey later relocated to Toledo, Ohio, and at the beginning of the 20th century became the first firm to make machine-blown glass. It currently produces an incredible number of barware designs that are widely available at numerous retailers everywhere.
Norlan
New on the scene, Norlan is an international brand that has quickly become known for its stunning, narrative-driven Sruli Recht designs. While the firm only produces a precious few products, all from lead-free crystal, it offers unique and highly conversational accoutrements to the whiskey-drinking experience.
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The Spruce Eats / Claire Cohen
Maintenance and Storage
Handwashing large numbers of crystal or delicate glassware can be tedious and annoying. For everyday use and large parties, consider finding versatile whiskey glasses that are dishwasher safe for no-fuss, no-muss cleanup. If you do choose crystal or a more delicate material, be sure to check the care label before you order. But generally, for all handwash-only glass and barware, you’ll want to use a soft sponge and non-abrasive soap. Never use steel wool, because you risk scratching or even severely damaging your piece.
As for storage, if you want to keep a large number of glasses available for gatherings, consider those that are stackable. Barware can eat up cabinet space rather quickly. Also, leave some distance between glasses or stacks so they aren’t touching to help prevent accidental breakage.
FAQs
Are whiskey and Scotch glasses the same?
There is not really a difference between Scotch and whiskey glasses. You can drink bourbon from a Glencairn and you can drink Scotch from a tumbler. It’s really a choose your own adventure situation.
What kind of glass is used for a whiskey sour?
A whiskey sour on the rocks is typically served in a double old-fashioned glass while one served "up" may come in a coupé. The same goes for a Manhattan.
How many ounces does a whiskey glass typically hold?
Whiskey glasses come in a variety of sizes. A shot glass, for example, usually holds between 1 and 2 ounces, while a double old-fashioned glass typically has between a 10- and 12-ounce capacity. The iconic Glencairn glass, used by many distilleries and bars, holds 6.5 ounces—but filling these to the brim is not recommended.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Nicholas McClelland is a passionate whisk(e)y drinker who has written about spirits for Men’s Journal, Fatherly, and Inside Hook. His bar is deep with rare single malts, hard-to-find bourbons, and ryes, but he doesn't believe there's anything too precious to share with friends. His home bar is stocked with at least 20 Glencairn glasses and he also tested the Riedel tumblers and Libbey glasses for this roundup.