The Glencairn whisky glass is a style of glass developed by Glencairn Crystal Ltd, Scotland for

drinking whisky. Originally designed by Raymond Davidson, managing director of the company, the
shape of the glass is derived from the traditional nosing copitas used in whisky labs around
Scotland.[citation needed] The glass design was concluded with the aid of master blenders from five of the
largest whisky companies in Scotland.[citation needed] The glass first came into production in 2001.[1]
The glass is approximately 115 mm (4.5 in) in height and has been available in three variations:
24% lead crystal, lead-free crystal, and soda-lime glass.[citation needed] The vast majority of glasses in
circulation are of the lead-free crystal variety. The soda-lime variation was discontinued in 2008.[citation
needed]

The capacity of a typical Glencairn whisky glass is approximately 175 ml (5.9 US fl oz), and it is
intended to hold approximately 50 ml (1.7 US fl oz) of liquid.[citation needed]
In 2006 the glass won the Queen's Award for innovation.[2][3][4]
The Glencairn glass is not the only glass on the market that is designed specifically for drinking whisky.
(For example, Riedel also manufactures such glassware.) While there are numerous styles of such
glasses available, the Glencairn is the first style to be endorsed by the Scotch Whisky
Association,[5] and it is used by every whisky company in Scotland and Ireland.[4]
Old Fashioned tumblers, snifters, and nosing copitas are other types of glasses that are commonly
used for drinking whisky. The traditional style of whisky glass is a cut crystal Old Fashioned whisky
tumbler, an iconic design that remains the most commonly used type of whisky glass. However, a
tumbler does not hold and focus the aromas as much for the experience of the drinker as the other
styles, which curve inwards towards the top of the glass. While not all drinkers may find the strong
aroma produced by such glasses desirable, inward-curved glasses are often preferred by connoisseurs
who consider the aroma especially important to the experience of a whisky.[6]

References[edit]
1.

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