Bourbons that don't do well in Crystal

[wadewood]

This thread was only meant to be a discussion, not a fact, not the definitive truth.. no need to call the thread BS over and over.

Maybe it wasn't meant to come of this way, but it sure feels like a few folks are bullying anyone that has a thought that differs from what they feel to be the truth.

This was a light heart-ed topic, just something I felt I noticed and saw a few others make similar comments.

you know, if people just want to have the regulars post on this site and only give credit to those who are in the inner circle, then that is only doing a disservice to this community.

I'm a big fan of the Penn & Teller show Bullshit. So, I enjoy using the word in their same concept. Inner Circle? you & I have the exact same rights on this site; we can both post and comment.

I attacked your premise, not you personally. There is a big difference. Attacking a premise is not bullying; making derogative comments about you personally would be.

Why would I even respond to your post if only to disagree? It goes to the topic of Chuck's misinformation thread. Lot's of people (including non-members) read these threads. Without responding they may think they need to go spend $30 on a glass to enjoy their bourbon. I want to dispel that notion.

[cigarnv]

Great idea for a thread! I have always read that bourbons can show different characteristics in glass & crystal. I only have a few crystal Glencairn's at home so haven't really messed around with different glassware, other than the occasional rocks glass. I look forward to what others have to say.

Does anyone know if the Buffalo Trace Glencairn is glass or crystal? The liquor store next to me has them, if they are glass I will go pick one up.

The BT Glencarin style glasses I have are glass.... give them a tap and you can usually tell. Also the glass has a thicker lip and tend to be heavier (about 150 grams for Crystal and 170+ for glass) given they are thicker.

[unclebunk]

The best way to drink bourbon is to use a straw.

[cigarnv]

The best way to drink bourbon is to use a straw.

... from a can..... or is that scotch:grin:

[chefnash51]

Lot's of people (including non-members) read these threads. Without responding they may think they need to go spend $30 on a glass to enjoy their bourbon. I want to dispel that notion.

Sorry I took offense.

To clarify, I stated that I felt my Crystal glass muted some flavors in some bourbons, which I know now is bullshit. Either way, that would probably not lead someone to think they need to buy a crystal glass.

[Medicfrost]

...Either way, that would probably not lead someone to think they need to buy a crystal glass.

Or clay pottery. I tried that in another country, just awful.

[nblair]

The BT Glencarin style glasses I have are glass.... give them a tap and you can usually tell. Also the glass has a thicker lip and tend to be heavier (about 150 grams for Crystal and 170+ for glass) given they are thicker.

Thank you. I'll go pick one up and actually try this for myself before making a final judgement.

[kickert]

I think the consensus is that glass is better than crystal for tasting.... at least that is what I am reading. I know I prefer it.

[StraightBoston]

I, too, first heard of the difference from spun_cookie, and like kickert, I'm inclined to respect the breadth and depth of his tasting experience! I haven't done the experiment myself -- maybe a project for this weekend?

It's not valid if it's not a DBT. Ha! I've probably been on those same audio boards.

Has anyone taste-tested with coat-hanger wire in their Glencairn?

[Josh]

I've never noticed a difference and the fact that somebody else has doesn't make me think there is actually one.

[CorvallisCracker]

Of course the glass makes a difference. Every time I put Coca-Cola in my A&W mug, it tastes like root beer.

[Medicfrost]

I think the consensus is that glass is better than crystal for tasting.... at least that is what I am reading. I know I prefer it.

I think the concensus was that they are both fine for tasting, but some prefer glass for it's added durability, but neither material has any impact on flavor.

[Gillman]

This source suggests that leaded crystal has a microscopically different surface than regular glass, it's rougher, and this may allow wine to breathe more (absorb oxygen) when swirled. If so, I don't see why bourbon shouldn't be the same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_glass

If it is, some may notice a slight difference, some may not. I never did but I wasn't looking for anything and the differences may be small.

Also, I use Waterford and I don't know if it is leaded or not.

Gary

[Gillman]

Just another point, which is that I do prefer glass and for one reason. It is clearer than the Waterford's I use, which are cut crystal too. You can't examine the color as well in crystal (or again, the crystal I'm familiar with). On the other hand, I haven't found a good regular glass with the heft of a Waterford tumbler. I've got some I like but I haven't found the perfect bourbon glass yet, so in the meantime I use Waterford.

Gary

[pepcycle]

For me, the only difference I sense drinking spirits from Crystal Glassware is that my pinkie sticks out.

This rarely occurs with Soda-Lime Glass, Plastic or Paper cups. It never happens when I swig directly from the bottle or a plastic vessel. (Love the Traveler)

I think this is definitely due to the lead content of the crystal causing a neuropathic change in my musculoskeletal network or it might be related to the gold badging on my coupe. Not sure

[DeanSheen]

"so in the meantime I use Waterford'

Are they the roly-poly bottoms? I have a set of those and they work quite well. Nice heft, easy fit in the hand.

[Gillman]

Not sure what you mean by roly-poly Robert. The glass is rounded, medium-height, the cut type, with a flat base about one-third inch thick. I like the heft but there is no color appreciation except from the top, which is okay but I prefer a clear perfectly transparent glass. Then too any port in a storm I suppose (and I know from that standpoint these conversations are angels-on-a-pin type, but hey it's Friday afternoon. ). As Fortune Magazine said in its 1933 article on the looming post-Prohibtion liquor business (I think, of rum), "and it's pretty good from the neck, too".

Gary

[squire]

Yeah I drink out of glass, the bottle it came in.

[squire]

Gary I thought the surface differences on crystal were due to the nubile young ladies in the finishing room, but lacking a source reference I guess my opinion is uninformed and should be disregarded.

[Gillman]

Well Squire, there are different forms of reality, including the poetic/romantic, and in that realm you are surely right.

Gary

[DeanSheen]

Gary: Waterford Lismore Roly Poly

Pop that in a search engine and you will see what I mean.

[Gillman]

I'll check it out, for sure.

Gary

[Gillman]

I found online pictures of Waterford Roly Poly, the Lismore tumbler type, that are very similar to what I have. But another type called Roly Poly pictured from this company isn't (apart from the cut crystal style which is the same obviously), and this is the one with a small base maybe 1.5 in square, where the glass is perched so to speak on the base. I don't have that kind. Mine have a base that is more about .50 in thick and the walls come straight down to the edges or gently round to it. They are long-lived by the way, initially we didn't use the dishwasher for them but finally threw them in there and it doesn't seem to do much harm.

Gary

[DeanSheen]

Yeah I never understood the non dishwasher instructions but figured it had to do with excessive heat or possibly cloudiness?

After having used my father in laws crystal glasses about 5 years ago I became obsessed with owning some. I love the heft and the way the cuts rub the hand, makes drinking a much more tactile experience.

Then again I'm a sucker for glasses having at least 7 or 8 different styles for beer. Thus far I have held myself back from buying some hand blown wine glasses from Italy but I have plenty of space in the cabinets for them.