Glencairn Referendum

[Deactivated Member]

Not wishing to steal the thunder from the ongoing "Type of glass" poll, but it got me to thinking about this particular glass, and whether folks think it really is the perfect whisky glass. I loved it when it first appeared, but find myself less enamored of it now; I have a good collection of them, but never use them at home. Still, I'm perfectly happy to be given one in a pub. They were intended for the bar trade, after all.

How do you feel about the Glencairn glass?

[les taylor]

It's my glass of choice at home. I have them with Whisky live, Bruichladdich, tobermory, talisker, Laphroiag, Gordon & MacPhail and Remi Macintosh design etched on them.

I do have tulips and snifters but I prefer the Glencairn it's not too big, you can pour a dram up to the bit where it stops flaring out. It sits nice in the hand and is robust but with style. It's also good for nosing. I like it.

[martin grant]

The Glencairn glass is not a glass I ever use at home, and one I seldom see in any bar.

If I'm drinking any whisky I've tasted before I'm happy for it to be served (or poured by myself) into a decent tumbler.

For a dram I haven't had before, or really want to make an effort with I always look to have it served in a large wine glass. This really helps with the aromas and the taste. Probably just because I can really swirl it and let the air in.

[vitara7]

i use whatever.... the only thing i stop at using i guess would be a pint glass....

[Cam]

For single malt I use the Glencairn religiously when at home. Have not seen one in a bar, then I request a small brand shifter.

Cam

[SoMK]

Glencairn at home too but I admit that the pict of the Michael Jackson's glass posted on the other thread was quite a beautiful item.. *checking them out on the web*

[Deactivated Member]

As most of you know I run whisky tastings, gourmet evenings of fine whisky and food and also a bar which has a great whisky selection.

At home I use either the Glencairn glass or a normal nosing one (Signatory).

In my whisky tastings and Gourmet evenings I use either the signatory or Bugatti nosing glass.

In my bar I have all three glasses (Signatory, Bugatti and Glencairn) and use whichever comes to hand first or which people ask for.
From experience, the normal Signatory nosing glass is most requested and the Glencairn the least. But I put that down to people not really knowing the Glencairn glass.
MT

[les taylor]

By the way Mr T I loved the way you set up the vote. I know which way you voted. You naughty boy.

[Deactivated Member]

Actually, I didn't vote until just now--if I put up a poll, I never want to be the first to vote.

[Jan]

I use solely glencairns, but has recently begun thinking of broadening my selection and try out a few other options, perhaps buying a tasting glass or something.

[Mr Fjeld]

I used the Spiegelau Single Malt Snifter untill someone bought the Glencairn glasses for me a couple of years ago. I thought they were the best thing to happen since sliced bread....... The Spiegelaus are now collecting dust.

[Leither]

I only use a Glencairn now with a malt that I fell I know fairly well - after say half a dozen or so drams or around a third of the bottle.

For my first few drams I use a small, Highland Park branded, nosing (sherry-style) glass - I would really hate to break this wee glass (which will happen some day is it is pretty delicate) as I've not seen anything similar.

I occasionally use an Ardeg/Glenmorangie nosing glass, the tulip shaped type, but find my HP glass better to explore a new malt.

I think it all depends on the shape of your neb (nose!) and what you feel comfortable with but I certainly find the Glencairn the best session glass and haven't broken one yet.

[Deactivated Member]

I find it hard to get past the Glencairn. Other nosing glasses are grand but too fragile for my mitts. I'm terrified of breaking them so seldom use!

[jimidrammer]

I use the Glencairn mostly for daily pours and my stemmed Ardbeg nosing glasses I ordered from the distillery when I'm taking notes. I have a wider variety for my beer selections.

[Paul A Jellis]

I have several types, but it is usually the Glencairn that I reach for.

[mithril]

Not wishing to steal the thunder from the ongoing "Type of glass" poll, but it got me to thinking about this particular glass, and whether folks think it really is the perfect whisky glass. I loved it when it first appeared, but find myself less enamored of it now; I have a good collection of them, but never use them at home. Still, I'm perfectly happy to be given one in a pub. They were intended for the bar trade, after all.

How do you feel about the Glencairn glass?

I've yet to see a bar in my area that uses the Glencairn, and that includes the specific whisky bar which carries more than 140 expressions. Personally I have several but tend to agree with you on this. On a lark I used one last night for the first time in some while, but typically I use my tulip shaped copitas. My one complaint against the Glencairn is that as a tumbler you generally hold it by the bowl and that gets fingerprints and smudges everywhere which rather takes away from the look of the whisky itself. It's a small complaint and probably rather petty when considered that it has no bearing on either the nose or palate of the drink, but it's just one of those little pet peeves that I can't escape.

[Deactivated Member]

Besides, Richard Paterson will kill you if he sees you holding the glass like that.

(Oh, get over it, Mr Tattie Heid.)

Glencairn, copita, snifter, whatever...handwarming certainly does have a bearing on the nose and palate, which is why I do it, smudges be damned (and why Paterson tells you not to, for that matter). It's one of the reasons I'm not so crazy about the Glencairn any more--the thick base makes it difficult to wrap the hand around the bowl efficiently. Others here have complained about the thickness of the glass slowing warming, but I don't think that in itself is such a bother.

The only pubs I've seen the Glencairn in, off the top of my head, were the Bow Bar in Edinburgh, the Pot Still in Glasgow (I think!), and the Lunar Rogue in Fredericton, New Brunswick. There have probably been others in the UK, but I don't specifically recall. It's a shame it's not more widespread, despite my misgivings for the glass--its sturdiness is what suits it for the pub.

[les taylor]

We had a whisky in a pub on saturday and it was like one of those many sided glasses you get for cleaning your teeth in a hotel chain. It did nothing for the whisky. You sort of wish they had a Glencairn.

[Ganga]

For each whisky there is a glass. My experiences have been that some whiskies fit me better coming out of particular glasses. I use the glencairns, Ardbeg nosing glasses, various sized snifters, and the occasional tumbler for that whisky you want to de-intensify the nose.

[bond]

I have had whisky from Glencairn glasses a few times though I do not own any. Its not easy to buy them here and I was not tempted to lug them from the Whisky Exchange when I went there. Had enough fragile stuff already!

The 2 glasses that I own are a Bowmore and Bruichladdich. Both came free with the bottle. I personally prefer the wider base of the Laddie glass though the bowmore glass is better for nosing. Can't say I rate the glencairn ahead of either of these though.

[IainB]

I generally use the Glencairn, as I seem to have accumulated a load of them, and anyway it centainly does the job better that a tumbler or most other glasses. I've 2 other nosing glasses I use sometimes.

Never seen it in a pub but would be delighted to.

[l'chaim]

I prefer a snifter. I like the shape of the Glencairn, and for tasting whisky it's great, but for nosing I think the snifter can't be beat. However, Mrs. l'chaim bought me one for my 50th, so I kind of have to use it. When I do my tasting notes, though, I use the snifter.

[Deactivated Member]

I'm surprised more people don't prefer a snifter. There is a greater surface area of whisky to evaporate into a larger bowl, and more surface for the palm to warm it. Definitely my preference as well, l'chaim.

[Lawrence]

They're good glasses but I don't use them for serious work and more for social drinking. I like the decorations and have many, many glasses. They are alos solid which is a great feature for a drinker.

[Gov]

What is the proper way to hold this glass?

[woodhill]

What is the proper way to hold this glass?

Generally with the opening facing up!

except of couse during drinking when "bottom's up" is more appropriate

[Gov]

What is the proper way to hold this glass?

Generally with the opening facing up!

except of couse during drinking when "bottom's up" is more appropriate

I knew I would be in for it asking this question!

[Mr Fjeld]

As I've said earlier in this thread I much prefer Glencairn. However, when thinking about glasses in general isn't it probably right that there is no such thing as the perfect glass? We all have different abilities regarding our noses and mouths just like we wear different shapes and sizes of shoes and trousers. Isn't it so that some prefer to "stick their nose" closer to the matter at hand while others easily pick up scents without making an effort? Similarly one could say that a glass which distributes spirit well into one mouth or tongue won't nessecarily work very well with the person next to him?

[fishboy]

I tend to use a Glencairn at home almost exclusively. I've managed to accumulate 20-odd glasses over the years, from various tasting events and distillery visits. As well as being excellent tasting glasses I find them really robust and hard wearing.

The only exception is when I use my last Ardbeg tulip tasting glass with lid. I really like these glasses as well but with my clumsy mits they are almost disposable!

FB

[Di Blasi]

As I've said earlier in this thread I much prefer Glencairn. However, when thinking about glasses in general isn't it probably right that there is no such thing as the perfect glass? We all have different abilities regarding our noses and mouths just like we wear different shapes and sizes of shoes and trousers. Isn't it so that some prefer to "stick their nose" closer to the matter at hand while others easily pick up scents without making an effort? Similarly one could say that a glass which distributes spirit well into one mouth or tongue won't nessecarily work very well with the person next to him?

Great point Mr Fjeld!! Yes of course, I agree, we're all different, and we can change to confuse matters even more. So the perfect glass? Who is the taster, and of course, as usual, what's the mood of the taster??

[mattbuty]

HP18 in a Glencairn glass. It really does not get much better than this.

Great product. Brilliant.

[woodhill]

The only exception is when I use my last Ardbeg tulip tasting glass with lid. I really like these glasses as well but with my clumsy mits they are almost disposable!

FB

I bit one of my Ardbeg nosing glasses and it shattered in my mouth. VERY thin!

[les taylor]

The only exception is when I use my last Ardbeg tulip tasting glass with lid. I really like these glasses as well but with my clumsy mits they are almost disposable!

FB

I bit one of my Ardbeg nosing glasses and it shattered in my mouth. VERY thin!

J your doing it wrong. The glasses are for drinking out of. You gotta keep your teeth behind your lips.

[woodhill]

some whiskies are so rich you can eat them

I do know how to use a whisky glass (see the fantastic easy-to-follow advice I gave Gov earlier on in the thread) this was after emptying the glass I was messing around with it absent-mindedly whilst reading

[Gov]

Got (2) glencairn glasses today (thx e-bay!) I have been dramming this evening and enjoying this new experience very much First I had a dram of Bowmore Legend, then Islay Mist and right now Black Bottle NAS. These glasses are much better than what I have been drinking whisky out of. Remember I am still a newbie, but what a great new experience!! Anyway, sorry about all the excitement but I am really loving this new whisky thing. I can't believe it took so long for me to enjoy different whiskies.