A Review of Malt Whisky Glasses
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Whisky Tumbler
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Glencairn
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Celtic Malts
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Riedel |
Classic Nosing
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The choice of a single malt whisky glass is more important than you may think. Whereas most drink glasses serve nothing more than to prevent your liquid from puddling onto your tabletop, a malt whisky glass is designed to maximize the senses of smell and taste of your malt. A good malt glass will be reasonably wide at the base to give the whisky a large surface area for the aroma to escape, and the taper off at the top of the glass in order to concentrate the into your nose. The 'nose' of the whisky is important even after you've started your sip. The smell and taste work together to create the full experience. I should also note that adding water, even just a few drops creates a chemical reaction that will bring out the aromas, especially at cask strength. At 40%, your malt will still be helped by a slight drop of distilled water. Never add ice, however, because that hinders the whisky flavors (this could be a good thing in the event of a skunky malt). Some glasses also have a lip that helps the malt reach the tip of your tongue where the 'sweetness' receptors are located. The proper glassware is as unique to the individual as the choice of whisky, so consider this nothing more than a guide.
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'Classic' Nosing
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Nosing Tasting Durability
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Excellent
Average Average
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It
should be, that's what it's made for
The narrow top makes it difficult to smell and drink at the same time It will survive a few tips, until the last one
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Riedel |
Nosing Tasting Durability
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Average
Excellent Terrible
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The shape doesn't do anything to concentrate the vapors
The curved lip sends whisky to the tip of your tongue The glass is as tipsy as an Irishman and the lip is the first thing to hit the countertop. The thin glass will shatter on verbal command
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Celtic Malts
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Nosing Tasting Durability
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Excellent
Excellent Good
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The aromas are concentrated at the top The lip hits the sweet spot like the Riedel glass The heavy base makes it surprisingly stable, and it's thick enough to taka a few hits
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Glencairn
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Nosing Tasting Durability
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Good
Good Excellent
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The shape pays a few respects to the nose
Again, the simple shape works Is tougher to drop than an Olympic wrestler and will bounce back if tossed on the right floor.
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Whisky Tumbler
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Nosing
Tasting
Durability
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Terrible
Terrible
Excellent
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Big wide glass spreads the vapors to your ears in case
you grow smell-drums in there.
Let's face it, the drammer that uses this is probably drinking a 3/4 mini-bottle of Dewar's found in the parking lot of a Motley Crue concert. Who'd want to taste that anyway? It's a big-honking piece of Chinese glass
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