Luna56 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I've got, side by side, a glass and a crystal Glencairn. I'm finding that there is a subtle (yet enormous) difference in the feel and "vibe" of these glasses. The crystal has a slightly softer feel in the hand. Not quite as heavy and minus a bit of the ballast of the glass one. The shape is very slightly different, a bit thinner at the neck. So classy.If you don't have one, get yourself a crystal Glencairn and you'll instantly know why this glass garners so much affection. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebo Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I've have both glass and crystal Glencairns. I much prefer the crystal. I can disceren no difference in the taste experience between the two, but I like the feel of the crystal much more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yountvillewjs Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Is there an easy way to tell the difference? I've been looking at Amazon for a few weeks and they seem to use glass & crystal interchangeably. Is there a clear price difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I believe I have this right...the crystal has a straight-edge lip, and the glass is rounded with maybe even a bit of a bead?As Luna says, a different feel that you may find pleasing. They do have a certain classiness to them.But as Ebo points out and I agree, it is an absolutely ridiculous notion to suggest that a whiskey will be different tasting from each glass. This idea was bandied about on these boards a few years ago. Utter hogwash. When this idea was the rage, I always felt that somewhere there was a surplus of glencairns that were in search of homes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebo Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Yes, the crystal has a straight lip with no "bead". Just flick the glass with your fingernail.... it will ring clear if it's crystal. The glass will ring with a deeper tone and sound more dull, compared to the crystal.I get my crystal Glencairns here. http://www.scotchwhiskyglass.com/images/logos/logo14.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yountvillewjs Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Full disclosure: I'm in the wine business in Napa, so glassware is something that I do consider and would be willing to make a little extra effort to get 'right'. It won't make a bad wine good, but I personally believe a good glass can add that little 'extra' that is important when you are making & selling very expensive fermented grape juice.Thanks for the links & advice, I really appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDpappy Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Do people prefer Glencairn or Riedels for whiskey? And why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebo Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Do people prefer Glencairn or Riedels for whiskey? And why? For me, it's more mood than anything. I love the Glencairn because it's like a jack of all trades glass. It's heavy enough that it doesn't feel fragile, it does a great job of concentrating the nose, it has a nice bowl that holds an adequate amount of spirit, and it just looks cool. The only knock on it is it's a bit hard to drink from if you have a larger schnoz. :grin: I use a standard tumbler/rocks glass alot, too. I like the heft of it.... it feels "manly". Plus.... I have a 150 lb. dog that has been known to clear an entire table top with a swish of his tail. The tumbler has survived more than a few brushes with that tail. :grin: When I really want to spend more time "appreciating" a nice bourbon or scotch, I'll use a Glencairn Copita glass. http://www.scotchwhiskyglass.com/copita.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve99 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 When I really want to spend more time "appreciating" a nice bourbon or scotch, I'll use a Glencairn Copita glass. http://www.scotchwhiskyglass.com/copita.htmI agree -- I really enjoy the Copita glass. I think I am able to get at more of the nose with these glasses. The Glencairn glasses are my next favorite. I don't care as much for the Glencairn Crystal glass -- the lip is a lot thicker than the regular glass. Is this what is meant by "bead"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebo Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I agree -- I really enjoy the Copita glass. I think I am able to get at more of the nose with these glasses. The Glencairn glasses are my next favorite. I don't care as much for the Glencairn Crystal glass -- the lip is a lot thicker than the regular glass. Is this what is meant by "bead"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna56 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 I agree -- I really enjoy the Copita glass. I think I am able to get at more of the nose with these glasses. The Glencairn glasses are my next favorite. I don't care as much for the Glencairn Crystal glass -- the lip is a lot thicker than the regular glass. Is this what is meant by "bead"?Ebo is correct, it is the glass Glencairn that has the "bead" or "lip," not the crystal Glencairn. If you run your finger up the side of the vessel you'll notice a lip on the glass one.There's nothing wrong with the glass Glencairn, by the way, it's a fantastic little thing.I have a crystal glass that I bought for cognac that is similar to the Copita glass but I never use it. Never cared for stemware, always makes me feel like I'm at a wedding or someplace I need to wear a tie. I suspect the Glencairn would be a great cognac glass.It's been said before, but keeping a good variety of glasses on hand will enhance your experience. I go back and forth between a few different styles of glasses, depending on my mood. The best glass is the one that's got whiskey in it.Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebo Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 The best glass is the one that's got whiskey in it.:toast: ............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna56 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 :toast: ............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnbowljoe Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I have both types of Glencairns. I prefer the glass one myself. I'm a big guy, and the slightly heavier weight of the glass just feels better in my hand. I like them for their durability too. I have knocked mine over before, and even dropped one once, and it didn't break. I have seen lesser accidents that have shattered the crystal ones. FWIW, I seem to remember reading somewhere, (possibly a thread here) that only the crystal version is made now. Cheers! :toast: Oh crap! There went my glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna56 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 I know what you mean, Joe, sometimes a lil' more mass in the glass is a good thing.When my crystal Glencairn gets too light I augment its weight by adding more whiskey. It all works out!:cool: Cheers brother! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Crystal or glass, a Glencairn just feels better in my hand than any other glass I've used. However I'm with Luna in that a plastic cup with whisky in it is better than an empty Glencairn (but I strongly dislike drinking whisky from plastic). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna56 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 In Pennsylvania recently I went for dinner at this sports bar (walking distance from hotel, only logical choice). Place was nearly empty except for a few noisy female Super Bowl nuts. "Whoooooo! Whoooooo!!"I hate sports bars.I did have a decent meal, though and decided I'd have an after dinner bourbon. The best they had was WR so that's what I ordered. Five minutes later my server returns with this enormous martini glass, like the kind one might get supersized margaritas in at those Mexican chain restaurants. The glass was truly enormous and was full to the brim with bourbon. Easily eight, ten shots worth. The oversized, novelty margarita glass is an excellent whiskey vessel indeed.I love sports bars! "Whoooooo! Whoooooo!!" Cheers!Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve99 Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I'm confused now. My crystal Glencairn definitely has a wider rim, although I do understand what you mean by beaded now, and it is not beaded just like you said. I also think My crystal Glencairn is heavier than my glass one. I hope i didn't get a bad one or something. When I get a chance I will have to try and post a picture of the two glasses.A martini glass full of bourbon - wow! That would be the best glass!Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosugoji64 Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 In Pennsylvania recently I went for dinner at this sports bar (walking distance from hotel, only logical choice). Place was nearly empty except for a few noisy female Super Bowl nuts. "Whoooooo! Whoooooo!!"I hate sports bars. I did have a decent meal, though and decided I'd have an after dinner bourbon. The best they had was WR so that's what I ordered. Five minutes later my server returns with this enormous martini glass, like the kind one might get supersized margaritas in at those Mexican chain restaurants. The glass was truly enormous and was full to the brim with bourbon. Easily eight, ten shots worth. The oversized, novelty margarita glass is an excellent whiskey vessel indeed. I love sports bars! "Whoooooo! Whoooooo!!" Cheers! Cheers! Wow! I bet the walk back to the hotel was more of an adventure than you anticipated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna56 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 I did okay, I took my time finishing the drink and had just finished a big meal.Still, it was a bit extreme. I'll try to post a pic I took with my iPhone if I can figure out how.Steve, regarding the differences between glass and crystal:Revisit ebo's earlier post in which he describes pinging the glasses to hear the difference in sound. The crystal will have a clearer tone and will ring for a longer period of time.I've found my crystal Glencairns to be lighter in weight than the glass ones.Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BootFNBD Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 To the best of my knowledge, Glencairn only produces the crystal version now.Anyone tried the Glencairn Canadian Whisky glass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tico Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 To the best of my knowledge, Glencairn only produces the crystal version now.Anyone tried the Glencairn Canadian Whisky glass?I was eyeing these the other day. The regular glencairn is nice but feels a bit small and fragile in my hand. I like the size of the canadian glencairn so I might grab a few of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAM Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I really like the Canadian glass, it's a great change of pace. For me it occupies a middle ground between the standard Glencairn and bigger, heavier rocks glasses. It's perfect for when you want a slightly larger pour than normal. And the wider, more stable base definitely comes in handy on occasion... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosugoji64 Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 It took a moment to get accustomed to my Glencairns, but now I love them. I have the crystal version. The shape and weight feel just right, and they hold the perfect amount. That said, I don't discount any other glasses and would be willing to give others a try. More tools for the toolbox! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFerguson Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 A set of six arrived in the mail today, looking forward to giving them a try out tonight.They sure do look nice sitting on the bar.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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