Developed to enhance the aroma and flavour of whisky, the Glencairn Glass has become a staple of all whisky events globally since its official launch at Whisky Live London in 2001.
Davidson was joined at the dinner by three of the blenders he consulted during the development process — David Stewart MBE (Balvenie, formerly Glenfiddich, Grant’s), Richard Paterson OBE (Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn, Whyte & Mackay), and John Ramsay (formerly Famous Grouse, Glenrothes, Highland Park). Robert Hicks (formerly Allied Distillers, now Pernod Ricard) was also an original supporter, but he was unable to attend this year’s celebration.
Whisky writer and former Whisky Magazine editor Charles Maclean MBE, a long-time supporter of the glass, and Whisky Magazine editor-at-large Christopher Coates also attended the event in place of their late colleague, pioneering drinks writer and early Whisky Magazine contributor Michael James Jackson. According to Davidson, Jackson highlighted the need for a suitable, official whisky glass in the late 1990s and was one of the Glencairn Glass’s earliest advocates.
Now a ubiquitous icon of the whisky world, the impact of the Glencairn Glass can’t be overstated. Before its introduction, tumblers, sherry copitas, and the Paris goblet were commonly used for serving whisky, none of which were deemed suitable for the proper appreciation of the spirit.
“When I first sketched the concept for the Glencairn Glass, I wanted to create something that truly brought out the best in whisky,” said Davidson. “The input from incredible master blenders, whisky friends, and legends in the industry was invaluable — and it’s been a joy to celebrate with them again, 25 years on.”
Over the years, the Glencairn Glass has also celebrated a number of prestigious accolades, including the Queen’s Award for Innovation (2006), the Queen’s Award for International Trade (2012 and 2017), and the Malt Advocate Industry Leader Award, among others, recognising its lasting contribution to the global whisky industry.
Originally envisioned in a smaller format called the ‘Blender’s Malt Glass’, Davidson had a small number of hand-blown crystal samples created before introducing the design to industry experts during International Spirits Challenge judging sessions and at whisky events at the end of the 1990s. Feedback from master blenders and journalists, including those at the dinner, led to the creation of the final design that is known and used all over the world today.
For Davidson, the success of those early festivals, the success of the single malt category, and the success of the Glencairn Glass are all intertwined.
“This glass would never have gotten off the ground so rapidly, had it not been for your reputations at the time, 25 years ago, which gave added gravitas to the whole concept,” Davidson told the assembled blenders.
Stewart, Paterson, and Ramsay concurred that the glass was introduced at the perfect time, in step with the first major whisky festivals, rising interest in single malts, and whisky makers’ first significant forays out of the blending room and into ambassadorial activities. While thanking Davidson on behalf of the group, Richard Paterson OBE credited the Glencairn Glass with allowing whisky makers to present their drams to the world as they should be enjoyed.
“When we launched the glass in 2001 at Whisky Live in London, we produced mouth-blown handmade samples for that,” Davidson recalled. “But because of the enthusiasm that you guys created within me, that encouraged me to go ahead with the first production… of a quarter of a million, or half a million, I can’t remember… but it was a big step for me to do.”
“I will always remember that one company was so impressed with the glass that they wanted to take my full first production, and it was a big temptation. But, had I done so, it would’ve been forever seen as their glass, and not a glass for whisky.”
With more than 50 million Glencairn glasses sold to date, it’s fair to say Davidson realised his dream of creating a glass for all whiskies — and all whisky drinkers.
The reunion dinner is part of a series of celebrations marking this major milestone for Glencairn Crystal, a family-run business founded by Raymond more than 40 years ago to produce whisky decanters. Today, the company is run by Raymond's sons, Paul and Scott Davidson.
