Glencairn Glasses

Glassware is one of the most important factors in tasting: the shape and size of a glass can drastically change the nose and flavor of any drink. When I first started learning how to taste bourbon, I took some advice from one of my friends who had been learning and tasting for a long time. The glasses he recommended were Glencairn. These are primarily small glasses that are narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. The intention of this design is to present the maximum amount of aromas. I immediately did a side by side tasting with a Glencairn glass and the old wide mouth drinking glass I was using previously. There was no comparison; the Glencairn glass was superior in every aspect.

One important note about these glasses is the amount of liquid they hold. These are designed for small amounts of whiskey, so you will have many refills, but it is worth the extra pours. Glencairn tasting glasses are meant for just that. These are not the kind of glasses that are used for mixed drinks. When I bought my glasses, I decided to go with a four pack on Amazon like this one. The price for a single glass compared to a four pack was much higher. In the spirit of sharing, I also thought it would be nice to have my friends be able to enjoy using a tasting glass.