The 13 Best Whiskey Glasses of 2024, According to Experts

Best Overall Whiskey Glass

Cocktail Kingdom Yarai Rocks Glass

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Named for the classic Japanese diamond-like pattern of lines intended to evoke the structure of a bamboo fence, Cocktail Kingdom's Yarai glasses have become a workhorse of bars around the world, earning nearly universal acclaim from the bartenders who rely on them.

The glass provides a comforting heft in the hand that isn't so overwhelming as to fatigue but provides durability and peace of mind knowing that it can take its fair share of bumps and the occasional drop. In addition to its pleasing visual effect, the Yarai pattern also creates texture that allows for a solid grip on the glass, good for when condensation could make smooth-walled glasses feel a bit slick, although, you might notice some slight vertical seams.

At 7.5 ounces, these are a bit heavy, and the Yarai Rocks Glass works best for single pours, excelling at neat spirits and whiskey served on the rocks. You can't find a better option to recreate the feeling of a high-end whiskey lounge at home. Plus, they're easy to clean as they are dishwasher safe.

Material: Glass | Dimensions: 3.25 x 3 inches | Capacity: 7.5 ounces

Best Glencairn Glass

Glencairn Crystal Whisky Glass

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"I'm quite stuck on the traditional Glencairn glass,” describes Nicole Ross, the head bartender of New York City's The Chester. “A Glencairn glass really lets you fully appreciate the notes you get on the nose and the layering of the flavors.”

These Glencairn glasses are beloved by whiskey drinkers as they concentrate the aromas—something a rocks glass does not. While these have a smaller capacity than other options, each 6-ounce, lead-free crystal glass is designed to show off the color and aroma of the spirit. And, cleaning them is a breeze as they're dishwasher-safe.

“The ideal glass, so I've been told by many whisk(e)y distillers, for tasting is a stemmed glass that has a wider base than the nose, like ISO or Cordial glass,” explains Goodfellow. “You can see the spirits well—the glass tapers towards the top to concentrate the smell when you nose it, and the stem removes any unintentional heat to the spirit.” 

Kristen Voisey, the owner of Cocktail Emporium and the brand’s glassware designer, agrees: “This is the standard tasting glass used at most distilleries. The shape is meant to enhance the aromas of fine whisk(e)y, and I find it does that job well.”

Good to Know:

Goodfellow recommends adding a bit of room-temperature water to the Glencairn glass to help open up the spirit.

Material: Crystal | Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.6 inches | Capacity: 6 ounces

Best Statement Piece

Whiskey Peaks Whiskey Glasses

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Huckberry’s Whiskey Peaks line boasts as much form as they do function: Made of hand-blown glass, the handsome conversation pieces are almost paper-thin, yet durable and designed to let the spirit shine. Best of all, topographic impressions of famed mountains and peaks—including Mount Everest, the Grand Canyon, Denali, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Rainier, and Mount Washington—float up from the bottom of each glass.

Whether you’re keen on climbing up rock faces or looking for a spirited souvenir, the 11.5-ounce Whiskey Peaks glass is a unique way to elevate a drinking experience. Think of them as a great gift for birthdays, weddings, and beyond. There is no warranty on these glasses, so be careful when cleaning them as they can only be hand washed.

Material: Handblown glass | Dimensions: 3.625 x 3 inches | Capacity: 11.5 ounces

Best Double-Walled

Norlan Whisky Glass

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This isn’t your ordinary whiskey glass. Initially launched by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Norlan’s original glass models were each conjured up via a 3D printer. Although the design process sounds unconventional, the company, comprised of designer Sruli Recht, brand director Brian Fichtner, and CEO Shane Bahng, created the glass with some of the most well-respected figures in the Scotch world. Now, the glasses are all hand-blown into these tried-and-tested shapes.

The founders used biomimicry and fluid dynamic modeling to produce the perfect whiskey glass, combining the easy-sipping nature of tumbler glasses with the technical qualities of nosing glasses. Plus, the 7-ounce glass’ double-walled design keeps hand heat away from liquid: The round curves of the outer wall nestle the glass comfortably in your hand while the tulip-shaped inner wall focuses and diffuses the aroma to reveal nuanced flavors. This glass is hand wash only.

Material: Double-walled glass | Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.2 inches | Capacity: 5.9 ounces

Related: The Best Whiskey Decanters

Best Rocks Glass

Riedel Crystal Rocks Glass

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A rocks glass is good for anything: single-ounce pours, spirits on the rocks cocktails, or even water. For Voisey, Riedel’s 9-ounce heavy-base tumblers are particularly “great for drinking Old Fashioneds or classic whiskey cocktails on the rocks.”

For this drink-specific collection, Georg Riedel tapped a range of bartenders and industry experts to create these glasses. Each design showcases both spirits and cocktails and can hold up in a high-energy bar environment—it’s common to spot these glasses on bar tops across the country. 

“It's also perfect for drinking whiskey straight with its unique 2-ounce pour indicator etch (the top of the triangle at the bottom measures exactly 2 ounces),” adds Voisey. Note that the larger size allows for a few chunks of ice to a dram of whiskey. And it's easy to clean since these glasses can be put into the dishwasher.

If you also want a vessel in your arsenal that is perfect for cocktails, this is it.

Material: Glass | Dimensions: 3.27 x 3.23 inches | Capacity: 9.98 ounces

Related: The Best Ice Makers

Most Unique

Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses

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Not only are these diamond-shaped glasses from Dragon Glassware aesthetically pleasing, but they're also made to enhance your whiskey-drinking experience. The unique shape of the glass helps aerate your drink as it is poured or swirled in the vessel. Even more, it rests at a 50-degree angle that's both anti-rocking and spill-proof. With a 10-ounce capacity, these lead-free crystal glasses are also dishwasher and freezer-safe. 

Though they are ideal for aerating, the lip is quite thick—reserve these for sipping Old Fashioneds or other cocktails. And the opening is small, so large ice cubes or ice balls will not fit. Gift them to a friend or add the glasses to your home bar for an excellent conversation piece.

Material: Glass | Dimensions: 4.2 x 3.75 inches | Capacity: 10 ounces

Best for Japanese Whisky

NEAT Glass Official Competition Judging Glass

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Many of the world’s top tasting competitions use this Neat Glass option as their standard tasting glass, and with good reason: Each glass is thoughtfully mouth-blown from lead-free crystal. The heavier weight of the glass—similar to what you’d get from antique crystal—is also a nice touch.

The glass holds 2 ounces and is wider than the traditional tasting glass. This opening is designed to amplify the aromas and flavor characters of the spirit, like the delicate flavors of Japanese whisky while avoiding the nose-numbing, overpowering ethanol scent. This design, a result of nine years of tastings and studies, also points out any potential flaws within the liquid. Each glass comes in an elegant burgundy and silver box, making it a go-to gift. If you’re looking to comparatively taste spirits, these glasses let flavors shine their brightest. Keep them on hand for documenting your notes on new bottles.

That said, its particular shape isn’t the most natural to sip from. For tasting, this glass is excellent, but for sipping over a long period, opt for a more sessionable glass. You can opt to get one glass or up to a set of six. These are a bit pricier than other options on our list.

Good to Know:

While antique and vintage glassware is a beautiful addition to a home bar, many older pieces were made with lead oxide (this added a reflective sheen to the exterior of the glasses). Keep this in mind when you buy antiques or opt for new glassware with a retro design.

Material: Glass | Dimensions: 2.52 x 3.7 inches | Capacity: 2 ounces

Best Splurge

Riedel Whisky Glasses

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A crowd-favorite across the board is Riedel’s 7-ounce Vinum whiskey glass. "They’re great for nosing spirits,” says Marissa Mazzotta, bar operations specialist at New York's Samson & Surrey. “It's a particularly ideal glass to use when we are tasting through barrel samples.” 

Leveraging the thin lip often seen in Riedel’s wine glasses, this larger-sized glass has plenty of room to swirl your brown spirits, and they're dishwasher safe, so cleanup is easy after using these.

These elegant lead-free crystal glasses were designed in collaboration with Scotch whiskey experts back in 1992 when the Riedel family brought in Scotland’s finest master distillers to help fine-tune every step of the design process. “The shape of the glass really allows you to get the top notes as you smell and a full sip across the palate when you go in for it,” explains Mazzotta. “Though a bit pricey, they’re totally worth it if you’re able to splurge."

Material: Crystal glass | Dimensions: 4.45 x 2.56 inches | Capacity: 7.05 ounces

Related: The Best Whiskeys

Best Small Glass

Villeroy & Boch Boston Shot Glass

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Even if you own a venerable selection of snifters, there may be an occasion (or two) that calls for drinking whiskey in a more festive manner. These lead-free crystal shot glasses evoke the style of elegant barware, thanks to patterned designs and classic coloring (including pale blue, bright red, rose, and grey), yet they boast the fun of a solid shot glass. Each glass also has a 2.5-ounce capacity.

“I prefer a shot glass that holds at least 1.5 ounces, allowing 1 ounce to comfortably rest without spilling over the top," explains Goodfellow. “I’m also a fan of the short shot glasses that slightly fan out and have some weight to them, rather than the ones that just go straight up like a test tube." Dishwasher-safe, these durable glasses are ready to survive jostles, slips, and slam-downs on the bar. Be careful, though, as these do not have a warranty.

Material: Crystal glass | Dimensions: 6.6 x 6.6 inches | Capacity: 2.5 ounces

Related: The Best Shot Glasses

Best Modern Design

NUDE Beak Crystal Drinking Glass

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This NUDE glass is a more modern take on the traditional snifting glass, with an angular silhouette and lead-free crystal construction. Designed by Swiss glassware expert Tomas Kral, the glass has taken home top awards for design. Pick up the matching carafe to decant your favorite whiskeys in style and choose from a traditional clear color, a smokey grey hue, or a striking purple. The handmade glass is also excellent for whiskey-based cocktails, wine, and water. 

Note the color makes it tough to take in the color of a whisk(e)y, but certainly makes a statement. The angular design fits snuggly in your hand. Whiskey fans love these glasses because they have weight to them—they're a particularly excellent glass to swirl. Hand wash them after using.

Material: Lead-free crystal glass | Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.25 inches | Capacity: Not listed

Best Classic Design

Godinger Dublin Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses

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Godinger Dublin Double Old-Fashioned Whiskey Glasses are beautifully and classically designed to capture the different variations of the color of the whiskey as the light hits the glass. They're made of lead-free crystal and feel a bit heavy, making these glasses durable and sturdy. With an 11-ounce capacity, the large ice cubes or ice balls fit easily in these glasses so your drink stays cold as you enjoy savoring and sipping your favorite whiskey, whether straight, on the rocks, or as an Old Fashioned.

These glasses are easy to hold and grip due to their gorgeous pattern, which also makes them look more expensive than they actually are. Hand wash them in warm, soapy water after using.

Material: Lead-free crystal glass | Dimensions: 3.88 x 3.25 inches | Capacity: 11 ounces

Best Themed Glass

Gemsho Glass Golf Ball Whiskey Glass

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“I love unique glassware, especially for my home bar,” describes Cristina Suarez, the beverage manager of KUSH Hospitality Group. “[These glasses] have an almost snifter-like shape on the top, which enhances the whiskey flavor by trapping the aroma on top while the rounded bottom allows the glass to be fully cupped in your hand to warm it up. It would definitely make a great gift for the whiskey-loving golfer in your life.”

Even though the glasses resemble a golf ball, they are abstract enough to fit in with any home bar—it’s not kitschy. Available in a set of two, each 11-ounce whiskey glass is handcrafted from lead-free glass in the Midwest. They are thinner than other options but definitely unique. The larger capacity means these glasses lend well to cocktails.

Material: Handblown lead-free glass | Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.9 inches | Capacity: 11 ounces