Scotch Glasses

[5String43]

Interesting question! And the answer is - it depends upon how hard-core you want to be about it.

In the accompanying photo, you'll see a standard bucket on the left. In the center is a Scotch single-malt glass I bought at the Old Pulteney distillary in Wick, way up north in Scotland, a couple of years ago. I've noticed that in Scotland, at least, this style of container is used a lot, and it's big enough to contain the "wee dram" and the bit of water that the serious malt drinkers there add to it. On the right is a small crystal tumbler - stil with enough space for a splash of water - that I bought at the Glenmorangie distillery, which is just outside a town called Tain, not all that far from Wick. I think it's the exception, rather than the rule, but that's what they drink Glenmorangie from - at least there.

For me, if it's a blend that doesn't much matter - Dewar's, for example, I use the bucket. If it's a good single-malt, Highland Park, or something of that ilk, I use the middle glass. But that's just me.

[flatbutt]

I've been known to drink from the bottle.

[Aerkuld]

They won't make the Scotch taste any different but they will make it easier to warm the Scotch in your hand in the way you would with a Cognac.

Once you have done that the shape of the glass will allow the aroma to collect better for you to appreciate.

There is not much to choose between the different shapes in my opinion, but a nice tulip-shaped glass or even a cognac snifter will allow you to enjoy the whole experience and not just the drinking.

Of course, if you're just interested in the drinking then it doesn't matter at all.

[djmcmath]

Yeah, for a 12 year Scotch, I'm just interested in having a drink, and I'm doing something else while I'm drinking. I'm reading, or listening to music, or hanging out with friends, or whatever. A cheap glass from KMart should work fine to that end.

For a Scotch that cost me $120 for the bottle, I'm sitting with a friend who appreciates the quality of the beverage, and I am _Drinking_Scotch_. I've had some very good Scotch in pretty plain glasses, and I don't know that it loses anything. But then, I've never had Scotch from a really nice glass, so I don't know that it gains anything.

Dan

[on2wheels52]

"It's just not worth it to me to try really hard to acquire a taste for something that's expensive anyway. I've got enough expensive tastes. I don't need to develop more."

Well put.

Jim

[HHI944]

I snagged a set of these Rosenthal crystal glasses at my thrift for $10, works great for my favorite reasonably priced scotch, Talisker 10yr.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Aerkuld

They won't make the Scotch taste any different but they will make it easier to warm the Scotch in your hand in the way you would with a Cognac.

Once you have done that the shape of the glass will allow the aroma to collect better for you to appreciate.

There is not much to choose between the different shapes in my opinion, but a nice tulip-shaped glass or even a cognac snifter will allow you to enjoy the whole experience and not just the drinking.

Of course, if you're just interested in the drinking then it doesn't matter at all.

For the above reason I have found a fine wine glass will do in a pinch.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I've been known to drink from the bottle.

Me too, but not Irish Whiskey. That stuff is for mixed drinks only, IMO.

Awhile back I asked about some Scotch blend called White Horse. Still never seen it on a shelf. The stuff I tried had been in a home bar for 10 years at least in a half filled bottle. Smooth as it gets. I wonder if that had anything to do with it.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

Go to the liquor store and buy a bottle of Johnnie Walker or Glenlivet in a combo pack that comes with two nice scoth glasses. I have a set of each, and the combo packs were the same price as the bottles themselves.

+1... My old roommate had a pair of Crown Royal glasses, I don't miss him, but I sure do miss those glasses.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Back to glasses...I have a pair of rosenthal crystal glasses..the Porsche crest made of a blob of glass melted to the bottom 1/3 of them. Won as a door prize at a PCA thing back in the early 70's. Anybody here remember these?

Mind posting a picture?