Understanding Whisky Glassware

Whether you are a seasoned whisky drinker or just getting started, it is important to choose good-quality whisky glassware. You can have completely different tasting experiences with each style of glassware. Some are specifically designed to enhance the nosing experience, others are made for casual sipping, and all come in various shapes and sizes. There are also special tools for adding water into your dram and lids to keep the aromas from fading.

Let’s look at some of the great whisky glassware options Urban Bar has to offer and how they improve your tasting.  

Copita

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Copita was used for nosing wine and spirits directly from the barrels that arrived at a dock to determine whether to accept or reject a particular barrel. Back then it was known as the Dock Glass.

Copita glasses are popular in the Spanish sherry industry (thus the name copita, which is a Spanish word for glass), although these days they are used for many other drinks as well, including whisky. 

The main thing with Copita is the nose. The small opening (the smallest of any whisky glass) is supposed to concentrate the aromas, which will also enhance the taste, for better or worse. This is why Urban Bar designed the Distillery Whisky Taster Glass, which helps to collect aromas and direct them towards the nose.

The rounded bowl also lets you swirl the contents of the glass to release hidden aromas. These aromas are then directed up the narrowing shape to your nose. The stem gives you a convenient place to hold the glass without affecting the temperature. As a result, this spirit glass gives a controlled tasting.

This is the glass used by blenders as it offers the maximum nosing experience. Sometimes it can also be seen at whisky tastings (for example at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society). So, if you want to sample whisky like a pro, this is the glass for you.

Blind tasting glass

Our eyes often impact our thinking and subject us to tasting notes before we even take the first sip. We connect so many flavours with certain colours, so trying the whisky blind allows your other senses to work harder.

This blue Copita-style tasting glass masks the visual aspect of the tasting experience and allows you to sample the whisky with an open mind. Nose and sip it a few times before transferring the spirit into a clear glass and trying it again. It brings a little fun into your whisky tasting.

Tulip tasting glass

This is very similar to Copita. The opening is slightly bigger and the bowl a bit rounder for easier swirling. Urban Bar has a few options to choose from, all slightly different in size. Like with Copita, these have a stem, so you don’t warm the glass with your hands.

The main difference between the Lochy Taster Glass (11cl) and the Spey Taster Glass (13cl) is the capacity. With both you can also use a specific glass lid to avoid air getting into the glass and influencing the aromas.

The Spirit Crystal Whisky Taster Glass (12cl) is very similar to the ones above, with the main difference being the wider bowl. Perfect for tasting whisky at home. I would also choose this glass for grappa as the wide tulip shape allows more air to reach the spirit.

Stemless tulip

This style of whisky glassware takes inspiration from the Copita and tulip glasses. The wide bowl tapers towards the top, directing aromas to the nose. As the glass doesn’t have a stem, there may be some temperature changes through the tasting experience. However, I feel this comes in handy during colder weather. Sometimes the whisky can be too chilled, and it helps to warm it up a little using your hands.

Urban Bar has created this style of glassware in various sizes. The Spey Tumbler (25cl) brings the benefits of the distillery tasting glasses to your everyday drinking. The bigger size allows room for ice should you wish to use any. Personally, I prefer to skip the ice, especially when it comes to single malts, but sometimes in the summer it can be a nice way to enjoy a single grain whisky or a blended malt.

Need a smaller version of this glass? The Spey Dram Glass (12cl) is ideal for you.

However, if you are worried about warming the whisky with your hands but would still like a smaller dram for tasting, Perfect Dram (9cl) has the tulip shape with a bold, solid stem to grip. You may have seen this whisky glassware used by distilleries such as Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Bowmore. 

Tumbler

Glassmakers in 17th-century Europe were creating short glasses with flat bases and with engravings. The industrial revolution helped with mass production, contributing to the popularity of this type of glassware. Finally, the prohibition era with its cocktail culture cemented the place of the tumbler as the ideal glass for Old Fashioneds and other cocktails.

This is an ideal glass for those evenings when you just want to sit back and relax. When you are sipping something familiar instead of trying to study the whisky in detail. It is more about the relaxation than nosing or discovering tasting notes. You can still enhance the experience by using good-quality whisky glassware.

The ‘1910 Old Fashioned Tumbler’ from Urban Bar offers that vintage style with its delicately etched art-deco pattern, inspired by the Lady Hamilton Pall Mall design. Its heavyweight base combined with its thin rim makes it ideal for whisky sipping at home or a cocktail.

Most tumblers have a large opening allowing the aromas to evaporate out of the glass quicker than a proper tasting glass. Unless you choose the Spey Tumbler, of course. With that you can still have a fairly concentrated nosing experience.

Highball

In 1895, the drink appeared in a book called The Mixologist under the name ‘Splificator’. If we go even further back in time, it is likely that scotch and soda evolved from brandy and soda in the early 1800s. Brandy and soda was a popular drink in England then, and it only makes sense for someone to try a similar serve with scotch whisky. It is best served in a tall glass to allow enough room for ice and plenty of soda water.

The popularity of the Highball diminished over time, until 2008, when Suntory wanted to strengthen the Japanese whisky scene by launching a successful marketing campaign for their canned Kakubin whisky and soda, known as Kaku Highball. The idea was to use a quality soda water that paired well with the whisky.

Thanks to the Japanese influence, Highball is back on our summer drink lists. Koto Crystal Highball is a beautiful glass to enjoy this refreshing whisky soda from.

Quaich

Quaich comes from Gaelic word cuach, simply meaning a cup. It was commonly used for the enjoyment of whisky and brandy. The story goes that Highlanders used to drink their drams from a scallop shell, which may have inspired the current shape.

The handles on the quaich have since become a symbol of trust. The clan chief would hand it over to another clansman as a sign of friendship and trust. They’d have to hold the cup with both hands, making it impossible to handle their weapons while drinking. It is said that the clansmen began using glass-bottomed quaiches out of fear of being chibbed. The glass would allow them to see their rivals while drinking. The heads of the clan would drink from it first before it was shared with the rest of the clan.

The quaich is now referred to as the ‘cup of friendship’, making the whole drinking ceremony a popular part of weddings, christenings and other celebrations. The cup gets passed on between the bride’s and groom’s immediate family members, and in some cases between the whole wedding party.

Other

Water pipette

When it comes to whiskies with higher alcohol volume (some cask-strength whiskies can be as high as 68% ABV), it is often recommended to add water to bring down the alcohol levels and to help open up those flavours. The best way to add water is to do it drop by drop rather than free pour and risk over-diluting the whisky. These glass pipettes are perfect for the job.

Dip the tip of the glass pipette into your water and press your finger over the hole in the bulb to hold the water in the tube. When you release your finger from the hole, the water will be released. Adjust the pressure of your finger on the hole to control the amount of water you add to your glass.

Still not sure whether to add water? See my previous blog post ‘Whisky and Water – To Dilute Not to Dilute?‘

Water jug

No whisky tasting is complete with a small water jug. It pairs well with the glass pipette, allowing everyone to measure their own water amounts. You can also pour directly from the jug if you wish to clean your glass between pours.

My favourite is this Spey No Handle Glass Jug (30cl) due to its size and the overall look. But if you prefer a jug with a handle, Urban Bar has other handmade glass jug options too.

Adding water to whisky really is down to one’s personal preferences. It is not wrong to add water or not to add it. It simply is based on how the whisky best works for your palate. This is also something that may change over time.

Caring for your whisky glassware

Most glasses are dishwasher safe, but it is recommended to hand-wash your crystal glassware to increase its lifespan. Crystal glassware has a higher level of clarity, and handwashing helps to retain it. Always wash new glasses before first use.

For best results, allow the glassware to air dry. Drying cloths usually smudge the surface, and they can bring germs into the glass. Use a soft, dry glass cloth to remove water marks if needed as this will retain the clarity of the glass.

Do you use special whisky glassware at home? Do you have a favourite whisky glass?

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Disclaimer: This post was created in collaboration with Urban Bar.