How to Use Whisky Glasses: A Guide to
Making the Right Choice
Choosing the right whisky glass can have a bigger impact on your experience than you might think. Whisky is a drink with a rich flavour and complex aroma that deserves to be served in a vessel that can best accentuate these qualities. There are a variety of glasses on the market, each with its own specific use. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the most common types of whisky glasses and give you tips on how to choose the best one for your whisky enjoyment. Like our Prague Whisky.
1. Tulip Glass (Glencairn glass)
The Tulip glass is considered ideal for whisky tasting and is popular with connoisseurs and professionals alike. Its shape is designed to maximize the taste and aroma experience: It has a wide bottom that allows the whisky to swirl and release the aroma. The tapered top concentrates the aroma, allowing you to fully enjoy it. Its size is ideal for smaller portions, making it perfect for tastings. Tulip glasses are a great choice if you enjoy your whisky neat or with a few drops of water.
2. Lowball sklenice (Old Fashioned glass)
Lowball sklenice, známá také jako „whisky tumbler“ nebo „Old Fashioned“ sklenice, je jednou z nejběžnějších sklenic na whisky. Tento typ je široký, nízký a má silné dno. Hodí se zejména pro:
– Whisky s ledem: Široká sklenice poskytuje dostatek prostoru pro kostky ledu
nebo chladicí kameny.
– Koktejly: Ideální pro míchané nápoje, jako je Old Fashioned nebo Whisky
Sour.
Lowball sklenice je ikonická a praktická, ale nezvýrazní aroma whisky tak dobře jako tulipánová sklenice. Přesto je skvělou volbou pro běžné popíjení.
3. Copita Glass
Similar to the Tulip glass, the Copita has a tapered shape that helps to concentrate the fragrance. This type of glass has traditionally been used for wine and sherry tasting, but is also great for whisky. It often has a foot that makes the drink easy to hold and doesn’t heat up from your hand. The Copita glass is a favorite among professionals at tastings where analyzing all the aromas and flavors is important.
4. Snifter Glass
A snifter is a glass with a bulbous body and a tapered neck, usually used for cognac but also great for sipping whisky. Its wide bottom releases the aromas, while the tapered rim allows them to concentrate. This type of glass is particularly suited for slow sipping of strong whiskies, such as whiskies with smoky or peaty notes. If you like more robust and flavourful whiskies, a snifter may be a good choice.
5. Whisky Glass with Lid (Nosing glass)
This type of glass is a variation of the tulip design, but often includes a lid to capture the aromas. It is ideal for professional tastings and detailed whisky analysis. The lid prevents aromas from escaping, and when you pop it off, you get a full dose of concentrated flavor. If you’re a true enthusiast and want to analyse whisky down to the last detail, this is the glass for you.
6. Highball Glass
A highball is a tall and narrow glass that is mainly used for cocktails with larger amounts of liquids, such as whisky and tonic, whisky and cola or other mixed drinks. This type of glass is not intended for tasting straight whisky, but rather for refreshing
drinks. If you prefer whisky combined with other ingredients, a highball glass is the right choice.
Which Glass to Choose?
The choice of glass depends on how you drink whisky: For Straight Whisky: If you enjoy your whisky without additives, we
recommend a tulip or copita glass to enhance the aroma and flavour. For Whisky on Rocks: The lowball glass is the ideal choice. It is practical and spacious enough. For Cocktails: Highball or lowball glasses provide plenty of room for adding
ice, tonic or other ingredients. Pro Professional Tasting: Choose a tulip glass, nosing glass or copita for a
detailed experience.