The History of the Whiskey Glass

From the very beginning of whisky, distillers have used different woods and casks to create unique aromas and flavors. To allow people to truly appreciate these whiskies and their unique profiles, glassblowers have created a variety of glass styles.

The Glencairn glass is of course the most famous of whisky glasses, but many varieties have been developed over the years, and the glasses we still use today have a long history.

A story that begins with the Quaich

The history of whisky drinking vessels begins in the 16th century with a wooden cup. So, the history of the whisky glass started with a cup. These small wooden cups were used for drinking Scotch whisky, and they began to change over time. During the 1500s, the only cup used for drinking whisky was known as a quaich, derived from "cuach"—a Gaelic word that simply means "cup." Here's what it looked like:

It was then that the artisans began creating different types of quaich, initially changing the style of the handles and, over time, completely altering the shape of the glass. Eventually, they used lighter and darker woods, creating patterns on the cups, and finally, they began embellishing them with silver. Each artisan created something entirely unique , aiming to provide a special moment for those who purchased and used the quaich to enjoy their whisky.

The silver quaiches were eventually engraved with designs, and in some cases, they were even designed to mimic the appearance of wood. These bowls played an important role in the social gatherings that always accompanied the consumption of whisky. During the 17th century, a "quaichfull" of whisky—a good swig—was served once at the beginning of a social event and once at the end.

A revolution in the 19th century

It was in the 19th century that the tradition of using a wide, flat quiach for drinking whisky changed. During this century, a new vessel appeared that challenged the traditional cup – the tumbler . Made of glass, this drinking vessel could be mass-produced and sold to a wider market. The cost of a drinking glass was significantly reduced, and more people began to use it and, of course, to serve whisky from it.

Following the tumbler revolution of the 19th century, other types of glassware were manufactured. Within a quarter of a century, a wide range of glassware had been developed, coinciding with an overall increase in whisky consumption. During the next century, and into the 1990s, interest in malt whisky grew, and the focus shifted to glasses that enhance its flavor.

The explosion in the variety of whisky glasses

As more and more people became interested in single malt whisky, different types of glasses were designed to enhance the drinking experience. Enjoying the flavor suddenly became more important than ever. This meant experimenting with the flavor profiles offered by different glasses. A few decades ago, the Riedel single malt whisky glass made its debut. In 1992, a group of whisky experts gathered at Riedel's headquarters in Austria to test a variety of new glasses.

A selection of 18 different glasses, each with a unique shape, was presented to the experts. After the panel gave its feedback, Georg Riedel researched the importance of the shape of whisky glasses and met with master distillers throughout Scotland. The result was a truncated stemmed glass with an elongated, thistle-shaped body. The glass, known as Vinum , has since become a popular container for drinking whisky.

The Glencairn glass , not only the most famous whisky glass but also a popular gift for best men, has a relatively recent history. Entering production in 2001, the glass was developed by Glencairn Crystal and designed by Raymond Davidson, the company's director. Its shape is inspired by traditional Copitas nose glasses, which have long been used in whisky laboratories throughout Scotland. The glass's shape allows the user to discover the full aroma profile by letting only the harshest alcoholic vapors escape.

The glass was quickly adopted by whisky experts throughout Scotland , and the master blenders of five of the country's largest whisky companies confirmed their love for the new glass. It was at the very beginning of the 21st century that the whisky glass changed the whisky industry.

American whiskey glasses : tumblers

When we talk about whisky glasses, we very often think of short tumblers. These glasses were popularized by American whisky-based cocktails like the quintessential Old Fashioned. Since then, they have been highly valued for enjoying whisky, whether in cocktails or neat. Their shape is very appealing thanks to its aesthetic appeal and numerous original and elegant variations.

The NEAT whisky glass

This glass is a newcomer in the history of whisky glasses… It's the result of a mistake made in a glassblowing factory. Tests were then carried out on this uniquely shaped glass… They revealed that it was perfectly designed to direct the harsh alcohol vapors away from the nose! The NEAT glass , which stands for "Natural Engineered Aroma Technology," forces the lighter ethanol molecules out of its opening, leaving behind the heavier, more appealing whisky molecules. This glass is therefore very interesting for tasting thanks to its particular flavor profile, and it offers a truly original shape!

Now you know all about the history of whisky glasses! We hope you enjoyed this article and that you'll be able to share your knowledge with your spirits-loving friends!