Right Glass For The Right Pour: Here’s Your Ultimate Whisky Glassware Guide
The shape of the glass in which a whisky is served at a tasting event cannot be overstated. Everything that is part of the tasting experience – from the aroma and mouthfeel to the temperature and texture, interacts with the shape and structure of the glass in which the drink is served. Whether it is a whisky cocktail or a whisky served by itself or on the rocks, the type of glass in which the drink is served can make or break the composition of the blend.
So, if you are a whisky enthusiast keen on hosting a tasting experience, one of the elements to focus on would be the right kind of glassware. And what’s more, each of these glass variations serves a distinct purpose which means it is up to you to determine whether to go for a glencairn or a tumbler or a copita, depending on the kind of whiskies being offered at the tasting.
Read on below to know more about the different kinds of glassware that can be used for serving varied whiskies and how each one performs an interesting function of its own:
The Glencairn Glass vs The Copita
Glencairn For Single Malts And Scotch Whiskies
A fine glass used for serving single malts and peated Scotch whiskies, the classic glencairn is tulip-shaped with a wide bowl and a narrow rim. It is fashioned thus because the glass is useful for concentrating aromas that reveal themselves slowly and gradually once the drink is served. On the nose, the glass reveals all the smoky, spicy and oaky aromas these whiskies have in store and this is one of the most interesting reasons that glencairn glasses are preferred for serving the more aromatic whisky variations at tasting experiences.
The Copita For Precision Tasting
Primarily a nosing glass, the copita is similar to a glencairn yet it is particularly used for those full-bodied, cask-strength whiskies that are served at a tasting or at a whisky evaluation. The copita is an elegant, old-school glass which nonetheless retains its popularity especially when it comes to precision sipping. So, when you are hosting a gathering of whisky connoisseurs with discerning noses, it is the copita that you can turn to for a more effective tasting experience.
Also Read: Winter-Special Glassware Essentials: How To Pick The Right Glass For Every Drink
The Tumbler vs The Highball
The Tumbler For Classic Cocktails Like Old Fashioneds
When pitted against the glencairn glass, the tumbler stands out when drinks like whisky on the rocks or classic cocktails like the old fashioned or sazerac are to be served to guests. Tumblers, as a result of their well-rounded shape, are sturdy glasses with ample space for cocktail ingredients or ice which is so often used for building drinks. A versatile glass which is very comfortable to hold, the tumbler particularly when made with cut glass designs also adds to the visual drama of tasting a whisky cocktail.
The Highball For Simple Highball Cocktails
A tall and narrow glass which retains the effervescence of the carbonated mixers that are added to whisky-based cocktails, the highball is most commonly used to serve simple yet bright cocktails. As opposed to a glencairn or a tumbler, the highball is generally used only for serving an aerated blended mix and seldom for neat spirits or spirits served on the rocks. This is because the narrowness of the glass retains the bubbles in such carbonated mixtures which might be difficult to achieve in a rocks glass or even a tumbler.
The Steel Tumbler: Ideal For Beginners
And when it comes to certain uncomplicated mixes like a blended whisky served with soda or even a whisky on the rocks with a lime twist, what works the best is a simple steel tumbler which can carry the depth and aromas of the whisky to the fullest. This container is all about a sheer, rustic appearance which is particularly ideal for potent whiskies with robust aromas such that the wide rim and the flared lip release intense aromas, making it easier for a beginner to identify the spirit’s layered notes.
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