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Types of Whisky Glasses
The main types of whisky glasses: rocks tumbler, double old fashioned, nosing glass, copita, snifter and highball, with which suits neat whisky or ice.
At a glance
- A rocks tumbler suits ice and a casual pour.
- A tulip-shaped nosing glass suits neat whisky.
- A highball suits whisky with soda.
- The whisky glasses in this guide hold 201 to 320ml.
Cut Glass Whisky Tumbler, 300ml £19.99 · Free UK delivery Shop The main types of whisky glasses are the rocks tumbler, the double old fashioned, the tulip-shaped nosing glass, the snifter and the tall highball. Choose a tumbler for ice and a nosing glass for sipping whisky neat.
What are the main types of whisky glasses?
The main types of whisky glasses are the rocks tumbler, the double old fashioned, the nosing glass, the copita, the snifter and the highball. The table sets out what each one is for.
| Glass | Shape | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Rocks tumbler (old fashioned, lowball) | Short, wide mouth, thick base | Whisky with ice, or a neat measure |
| Double old fashioned | Same shape, larger | Large ice and a longer pour |
| Nosing glass (Glencairn style) | Tulip bowl on a solid base | Neat whisky and noticing aroma |
| Copita | Small tulip bowl on a thin stem | Neat whisky at a tasting |
| Snifter | Wide bowl, narrower top, short stem | Neat whisky or brandy |
| Highball | Tall and narrow | Whisky with soda or ginger ale |
Wikipedia defines the old fashioned glass as a short tumbler used for serving spirits.
Which glass is best for neat whisky?
A tulip-shaped nosing glass is the usual choice for neat whisky. Its bowl narrows towards the rim and brings the aroma to your nose. The Glencairn style and the copita are both nosing glasses.
LuxuryTrex does not stock a nosing glass. A plain tumbler also suits neat whisky if you prefer a short glass. The minimalist tumbler is a plain glass with a thick base and a raised peak inside.
Which glass is best for whisky with ice?
A short tumbler with a thick base is best for whisky with ice. The wide mouth takes large cubes or a sphere. A heavy base keeps the glass steady on a table.
Check the width before you buy for big ice. The Wide Whisky Glass for Large Ice is 9cm across. The supplier gives no ice sphere size. Measure your mould against that width before you order.
How big should a whisky glass be?
A whisky glass should leave room for your measure and any ice. The whisky glasses in this guide hold 201 to 320ml. Pick a wider glass if you add large ice.
The table lists each glass by capacity.
| Glass | Capacity | Size | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Fuji glass | 220ml | 85mm tall | 1 glass with wooden box |
| Ultra-thin tumbler (out of stock) | 250ml | 8.5cm tall, 8cm across | 1 glass |
| Blue kiriko-style glass | 260ml | Not stated | 1 glass with wooden box |
| Minimalist tumbler | 270ml | 9.5cm tall, 9cm rim | 1 glass |
| Cut glass tumbler | 300ml | 9.4cm tall, 8.2cm across | 1 glass |
| Faceted painted glasses | About 300ml each | 9.7cm across, 9cm tall | Set of 2 |
| Spiked and gem glasses | About 300ml each | 7.8cm across, 10cm tall | Set of 2 |
| Wide tumbler | 320ml | 9cm across, 9cm tall | 1 glass |
| Tilted glasses | 201 to 300ml each | Not stated | Set of 2 |
What finish should you choose?
Choose a plain glass to show the colour of the whisky. Choose a cut or painted glass if you want the glass itself to stand out.
The plain glasses in stock are the wide tumbler at £18.99, the minimalist tumbler at £17.99 and the tilted pair. The cut glass whisky tumbler costs £19.99. It has a star-cut base and deep leaf cuts round the sides.
The supplier lists the two painted sets as hand-painted heat-resistant glass. Neither set lists a gift box.
Are whisky glasses glass or crystal?
Whisky glasses come in both glass and crystal. Most in this guide are glass. Only the ultra-thin tumbler is listed as lead-free crystal. It is currently out of stock.
Several supplier titles use the word crystal. The supplier gives the material as glass for the wide tumbler, the minimalist tumbler and the tilted pair. LuxuryTrex sells those three as glass. The ultra-thin tumbler has 1.5mm walls and a weighted 5mm base.
Are there whisky glasses that come boxed?
Yes, two single glasses come in a wooden gift box. The blue kiriko-style glass costs £49.99. It is cut in a chrysanthemum pattern. Kiriko is a Japanese cut glass style. The coaster in its photos is not included.
The Mount Fuji glass costs £32.99. The mountain is shaped into the base. The peak shows through the whisky when you pour. For a decanter to serve from see best whisky decanter sets under £200.
Should you buy a single glass or a set?
Buy a set for matching glasses for two people. Buy a single glass to try one shape or to give as a present. Six of the glasses here are sold singly.
Three sets are sold as pairs. The tilted glasses cost £29.99 for two. The faceted set also costs £29.99 for two. That is £15.00 a glass. The spiked and gem set costs £32.99 for two. That is £16.50 a glass. Order two of a single-glass model for a matching pair.
How do you wash whisky glasses?
Wash whisky glasses by hand in warm water. The supplier gives no dishwasher guidance for the cut glass, kiriko-style or Mount Fuji glasses. The ultra-thin tumbler lists hand washing as recommended.
The painted sets have no care guidance for the paint. Wash them by hand as well. Dry each glass with a soft cloth. Rinse away all soap before you pour.
Which one to choose
Match the glass to how you drink.
- Large ice: the wide tumbler.
- A plain glass for neat whisky or ice: the minimalist tumbler.
- A cut pattern: the cut glass tumbler.
- A pair with colour: the faceted or spiked and gem sets.
- A boxed single: the blue kiriko-style or Mount Fuji glass.
- A tilted rim: the tilted pair.
All whisky glasses are in Home Decor.
Whisky glasses compared in this guide
| Product | Price | Why it is here |
|---|---|---|
| Cut Glass Whisky Tumbler, 300ml | £19.99 | A single tumbler with a star-cut base and deep leaf cuts round the sides. |
| Wide Whisky Glass for Large Ice, 320ml | £18.99 | A plain single tumbler with a thick clear base and room for large ice. |
 Minimalist Whisky Tumbler, 270ml, Peaked Base | £17.99 | A plain single tumbler that tapers to a thick base with a raised peak inside. |
 Tilted Whisky Glasses, Set of 2 | £29.99 | Two clear glasses with a slanted rim that rest on a tilt. |
 Hand Painted Whisky Glasses, Faceted Pattern, Set of 2 | £29.99 | Two faceted tumblers painted in bright colours. |
 Colourful Whisky Tumblers, Spiked and Gem Pattern, Set of 2 | £32.99 | Two rounded tumblers painted with tall spikes over gem-like panels. |
 Blue Kiriko-Style Whisky Glass in Wooden Gift Box, 260ml | £49.99 | A single blue glass cut in a chrysanthemum pattern, supplied in a wooden gift box. |
| Mount Fuji Whisky Glass with Wooden Gift Box, 220ml | £32.99 | A single glass with a Mount Fuji shape in the base, supplied in a wooden gift box. |
 Ultra-Thin Crystal Whisky Glass. Tumbler | £10.99Out of stock | A thin-walled tumbler listed as lead-free crystal, currently out of stock. |
Questions answered
What is a Glencairn glass? +
A Glencairn glass is a short tulip-shaped nosing glass made for whisky. Its bowl narrows towards the rim. It sits on a solid base rather than a stem.
What is a whisky snifter? +
A snifter is a short-stemmed glass with a wide bowl and a narrower top. It is better known as a brandy glass. Some drinkers also use it for neat whisky.
Is a whisky glass the same as a rocks glass? +
No, a rocks glass is one type of whisky glass. Nosing glasses, snifters and highballs are also used for whisky.
Do you need a special glass to drink whisky? +
No, a clean glass of a sensible size is enough. A nosing glass makes the aroma easier to notice. A tumbler is fine for ice or a mixed drink.
