The 12 Best Bourbon Glasses of 2024 [Reviewed]

You’ve done your research. Picked out the perfect bottle (or bottles) of bourbon. And now it’s time to sit down and sip to your heart’s content. 

But wait.

Do you know what kind of bourbon glass you’ll use? And does it really make a difference?

The answer: yes, it does.

To get the most out of your bourbon experience, you need the best bourbon glass. And different glasses can give you very different experiences.

If you search online for the best bourbon glasses, you’ll get a list that just might make your head spin.

That’s why we made this list.

I’ve been a bourbon drinker for nearly 5 years and I’ve tried everything from rocks glasses to crazy cool-looking glasses on Amazon, to the classic Glencairn tasting glass.

And I distill all of what I’ve learned, along with industry standards in this article so that you not only know what type of glass you should go for, but you also get a specific recommendation to make finding the right glass incredibly easy.

This page contains affiliate links. If you proceed to purchase certain items, we get a commission at no extra cost to you. But rest assured, this doesn’t influence our recommendations.

Summary: The Best Bourbon Glasses by Category

• Best Overall Glass: The Glencairn Glass
• Best Rocks Glass: Venero Crystal Whiskey Glass
• Coolest Glass: Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glass
• Best Value: Anchor Hocking Manchester Rocks Old Fashioned Glass
• Best Set: Maketh the Man Premium Art Deco Whiskey Glass Set

The 2 Must-Have Glasses for Your Home Bar

At the end of the day, most bourbon glasses out there are really similar. There are tons of different shapes and materials, but there are really only two different categories of glass:

1. Tasting Glasses
2. Cocktail Glasses (Rocks, Coupes, etc.)

So, regardless of your goal, I recommend getting a few of each type of glass if you love bourbon.

For #1, you definitely need a Glencairn.

This is the industry standard and what everyone who wants to actually taste bourbon uses (including master distillers I’ve seen at Maker’s Mark, Jefferson’s, Wild Turkey, and more).

No home bar would be complete without a set. They are specifically designed to direct the aromas of the bourbon to your nose, giving you the ability to truly smell, taste, and experience your bourbon and pick up subtle notes like the pros.

For #2, the choice is completely up to you. Almost every glass on this list would work, but our favorite is the Libbey Glass.

This glass is like a mesh between a rocks and a Glencairn glass that gives similar benefits of the professional tasting glass while also being casual enough for holding a cocktail.

The 12 Best Bourbon Glasses for Your Home Bar: Detailed List and Reviews

1. Glencairn Whiskey Glass

Material: Lead-Free Glass

Capacity: 6 Fluid Ounces

Price: $11.89 (1 glass, but comes in sets with better value per glass)

Best for: Pure bourbon aficionados

With an initial design by Raymond Davidson and collaboration with the master blenders from five of the largest whiskey companies, you can find the Glencairn Whiskey Glass at every distillery in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (as well as most distilleries in the United States).

This glass, which won the 2006 Queen’s Award for Innovation, is now the go-to glass for all bourbon aficionados because it enhances the tasting experience by opening up the bourbon’s richness. 

Its shape directs aromas to your nose, helping you maximize your senses and fully take in the bourbon. It’s truly amazing how much different it is to try a great bourbon with a Glencairn rather than a “standard” drinking glass.

If you nose the glass with your mouth parted, then take a sip, you get to experience so many more notes. Tasting with any other glass mutes these notes. It sounds crazy but it’s true.

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2. Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glasses

Material: BPA & Lead-Free Glass

Capacity: 8 Fluid Ounces

Price: $39.99 (Set of 4)

Best for: Bourbon drinkers who want quality and versatile glasses that can be used for tasting

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail line of glasses is designed to enhance the flavor of fine bourbons, and the Libbey Signature is the official tasting glass of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 

These glasses are crafted with ClearFire glass composition, which results in a brilliant and robust glass with slim yet resilient sides and an ultra-thin beadless rim.

With a wide bowl that increases evaporation and a narrow neck that draws the bourbon’s aroma to the top of the glass, the Libbey Signature can give you a great mix between a traditional glass (like the rocks glass) and a true bourbon-tasting glass.

One of the best things about the Libbey Signature glass is its quality. 100s of people have left reviews talking about the durability and quality of the glass. We second this.

And quality is a big deal because a lot of glasses you find on Amazon will be incredibly thin and break if you drop a huge ice ball into them.

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3. Liiton Grand Canyon Whiskey Glass

Material: X1 Crystalline

Capacity: 10oz

Price: $18.95 (single), $44.95 (set of 4)

Best for: Drinkers who want an art piece as a glass

The Liiton Grand Canyon Whiskey Glass was one of those big Kickstarter success stories. Their lineup of mountain-themed whiskey glasses raised over $1 million from 12,000 backers, which is super impressive. 

I got myself the Grand Canyon glass, and it’s sturdy and thick. Definitely one of the higher-quality glasses I have. 

Their design has a lovely effect too! 

The canyon is well-defined and stays clear even as you drink. I also love the way it contrasts with dark bourbon. It’s an eye-catcher and a great addition to your home bar, especially if you want to impress your guests.

My only problem with this glass is it doesn’t hold ice very well. My Grand Canyon glass is a bit clunky for big ice cubes, but it works. I can’t imagine how you’d add ice to the Denali or Mt. Fuji style though. 

That’s why Liiton recommends keeping the glass in your freezer before pouring a drink. Their patented X1 Crystalline material should keep the glass (and your drink) colder longer.

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4. Maketh the Man Premium Art Deco Whiskey Glass Set

Material: 100% Non-Leaded Crystal

Capacity: 10 Fluid Ounces

Price: $88.88 (4 glasses + a decanter)

Best for: Someone looking for an elegant starter kit

These glasses were designed in Europe by a small family-run business with a passion for whiskey. The large tumblers give you extra space for a bigger pour or plenty of room for water, ice, rocks, or whiskey stones.

One of the main pros of this set, other than the fact that it comes with a decanter, is that it’s simply beautiful. Reviewers rave about the elegance of the glass and decanter—it’s undoubtedly a showpiece that can upgrade the look of your home bar. The glasses themselves are also sturdy and durable.

And it’s actually a pretty good value for what you get. Solid bourbon glasses are often $10-$15 each and decanters can be anywhere from $20-$50. So, to get a quality set of 4 with a decanter for $88 is actually a really solid deal.

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5. Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glasses

Material: Lead-Free Glass

Capacity: 10 Fluid Ounces

Price: $34.99 (Set of 2)

Best for: Bourbon drinkers who want a conversation piece

These are just really freakin’ cool.

The shape of this glass, as the name suggests, was inspired by diamonds and the way it sits on its side creates an easy conversation piece when people come over. They can immediately elevate the aesthetic of your home bar.

The unique shape is more than just for looks, though…

It allows the drink to aerate as you pour and swirl bourbon in the glass.

Now, this is by no means a tasting glass. That’s important to note. And they aren’t the best for cocktails unless you make say, an old fashioned, in another glass and transfer it. The angle just makes it awkward to try to muddle anything in the glass itself or use some sort of cocktail smoker.

That being said, these are easily the coolest glasses on the list and they’re sturdy and high-quality (which is hard to find with unique glasses like these).

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6. Snüte Double-wall Stainless Steel Whiskey Glasses

Material: Food-Grade 18/8-Gauge Stainless Steel

Capacity: 7 Fluid Ounce

Price: $24.95 (1)

Best for: Travelling, drinking by the pool, and keeping your drink cold

Stainless steel bourbon glasses certainly aren’t for everyone.

They aren’t for “officially” tasting and don’t really work well for elegant cocktails, but they’re the perfect glasses for traveling or drinking by the pool.

The stainless steel keeps your bourbon at just the right temperature and makes your ice melt slower. They also have a double-walled design and interior fins that amplify aeration, allowing the bourbon to breathe and release its aromas more than you’d imagine from this style of glass.

In fact, we found the shape to actually allow for proper nosing which was really surprising.

And, obviously, the stainless steel has the ultimate benefit of being shatterproof. So, if your pool party gets a little too wild and you drop your glass, you’re going to be fine.

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7. Venero Crystal Whiskey Glasses

Material: Non-Leaded Crystal

Capacity: 12 Fluid Ounces

Price: $31.47 (Set of 4)

Best for: Drinkers who want a mix of elegance and utility

This is an elegant, but traditional rocks glass with a twist…literally.

The “twist” style of the glass looks great and provides a really nice aesthetic while also giving you all the benefits of a normal rocks glass (old fashioneds anyone?).

They’re perfect for making old fashioneds or enjoying your favorite bourbon with a big ole’ ice ball.

And this crystal glass’s durability is also really surprising.

The thick walls and weighted base help make it virtually unbreakable. In fact, it’s one of the sturdiest glasses on this list that isn’t made of stainless steel.

Venero also provides something that almost no one else does…a lifetime guarantee. And getting 4 glasses for just over $30 is a fantastic value.

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8. James Bentley Whiskey Glasses

Material: Lead-Free Borosilicate Glass

Capacity: 6.7 Fluid Ounces

Price: $38.95 (Set of 2 + Ice Molds)

Best for: Drinkers looking for a unique, insulated glass

The James Bentley Whiskey Glass was designed in collaboration with Brazillian Carlos Eduardo, a designer with 25 years of industrial engineering experience.

They sent me a sample and it’s one of the most interesting glasses I’ve ever seen.

It looks like it holds almost nothing due to the design, but it holds just as much as any other glass. The design is also just really interesting. Since it’s a hand-blown glass that’s insulated, it almost looks like an optical illusion.

The glass also has a plasticky feel, making it seem more durable if you want to drink outside or by the pool. But I will say, it definitely shatters if you drop it. I broke one of mine very quickly but the other one has held up for years.

Customers on Amazon also rave about James Bentley’s fantastic customer service experience, which I can second because I’ve talked personally with the founders. They are great!

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9. The NEAT Glass Official Competition Judging Glass

Material: Slovakian Lead-Free Crystalline Glass

Capacity: 2 Fluid Ounces

Price: $22.99 (Set of 2)

Best for: Aficianados looking for a unique tasting experience

The company that developed the Naturally Engineered Aroma Technology (NEAT) glass asked, “What if spirits glassware could move strong alcohol away from your nose to detect wonderful aromas?”

With a large surface area, curved sides, and a rim style that allows alcohol aromas to dissipate over the rim with no alcohol burn, The company aims for this to be your single go-to glass for nosing and tasting any spirit.

I personally much prefer a Glencairn glass to the NEAT Glass, but technically both are tasting glasses.

The main difference is with the NEAT Glass’s bigger bowl. I think it tends to make the aromas more overpowering to the point where its harder to detect specific notes when compared to the Glencairn.

BUT…it made this list because it’s a quality tasting glass. Many bourbon drinkers I talk to have both glasses for slightly different tasting experiences (and even try the same bourbon in both glasses).

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10. Anchor Hocking Manchester Rocks Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses

Material: Non-Leaded BPA-Free Crystal

Capacity: 10.5 Fluid Ounces

Price: $43.74 (Set of 12)

Best for: Budget buyers looking for a full set

Another traditional rocks glass, Anchor Hocking has been manufactured in the USA since 1905. The big reason to go with these is because of the value.

You get 12 freakin’ glasses for just over $40.

And they’re really sturdy as well because they are so thick. You don’t have to worry about accidentally breaking one when muddling an orange peel or dropping in your ice cubes.

The main downside of these glasses, though, is the seams. They can be annoying when holding them and sometimes they’re uneven.

But if you’re looking less for elegance and more for value and utility, these are hands down the best pick for you.

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11. Snowfox Stainless Steel Tumbler

Material: Stainless Steel

Capacity: 11 Fluid Ounces

Price: $34.99 (Set of 2)

Best for: Those looking for a simple and effective stainless steel glass for casual drinking

The Snowfox Tumbler makes the list as a second stainless steel glass because it provides a slightly different experience when compared to the Snüte glass.

Its shape is more of a classic low-ball(rocks) glass with a wide lid, so it’s probably the best durable option for casual drinking on this list.

It’s also cheaper than the Snüte glass and comes with 2 glasses.

The main drawback is that this has no intentional design for tasting.

This is straight up a stainless steel glass you buy because you want to drink cold drinks at the beach, pool, or outside in general.

This is the perfect glass for your bourbon on the rocks, an old fashioned, or bourbon and coke.

If that’s what you’re looking for, this is the glass for you.

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12. Sculpted Whiskey Glasses from Home Wet Bar

Material: Glass

Capacity: 10.5 oz

Price: $36 (Set of 2)

Best for: Drinkers looking for unique, engraved glasses

These glasses made the list for two reasons:

1. They have a very unique style I haven’t seen anywhere else
2. They can be engraved

You also have the option to add a personalized gift box for $15 with your (or the recipient’s) name on it. Reviewers report that these are incredibly high quality and make for excellent gifts for bourbon lovers in your life.

But I would argue they are a great gift for yoself.

These are 100% the best glass for you if you’re looking for an engraved option.

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3 Questions to Consider When Shopping for Bourbon Glasses

Three major factors will impact your choice: material, shape, and style. 

Let’s take a closer look at each so you can make the most of that beautiful bottle of bourbon.

What’s the Best Material for my Bourbon Glass?

It might seem like the type of material is, well, immaterial.

But not so fast! 

Several different materials are used to produce bourbon glasses, and each one will change your experience.

Let’s examine each of the kinds of material you’re likely to encounter in your search for the best bourbon glasses.

Crystal

First up is the most expensive option: crystal. 

Originally lead crystal glassware, manufacturers have replaced the lead with safer materials these days. These minerals include barium oxide, zinc oxide, or potassium oxide. 

Crystal is prized for its density, clarity, and sparkle. The style of crystal bourbon glasses is often more elegant than everyday glassware. It’s also highly breakable, so if you want to be rough and tumble with your drinking, crystal is not the material for you.

Pro tip: if you decide to go with a crystal glass for your bourbon tasting, make sure to look for 100% lead-free crystal.

Glass

Stepping down in price, you’ll find a wide selection of bourbon glassware.

Glass is made from liquid sand (and other chemicals, depending on which type of glass). While regular glass doesn’t have the same look and feel as crystal, it’s still a useful material for tasting glasses. 

Because it’s an easily manipulated material, the range of styles available are almost endless. But glass can still break, which leads us to our final two categories.

Stainless Steel

You can also get stainless steel bourbon glasses for about the same price as glass.

Stainless steel is easily cleaned and the most durable of the materials we’ll discuss today. The thickness of a stainless steel tasting glass may affect your experience, which we’ll discuss more below.

Stainless is likely a style of bourbon glass you either love or hate. It won’t be for everyone.

Tritan Plastic

Finally, let’s look at the least expensive material on our list: Tritan plastic.

With a look that’s similar to glass (as long as you take care of it), plastic might just be your best choice. If you imbibe outside around the fire pit or tend to get a little rowdy, Tritan plastic is impact-resistant and much lighter than glass.

Now you know what kind of material you want, let’s look at how your glass’s shape can change the sipping experience.

What Shape are the Best Bourbon Glasses?

The shape of your bourbon glass will also impact your bourbon’s overall taste and feel.

Let’s look at five different types of glasses and how they’ll impact the tasting experience.

Glencairn

First up is the Glencairn glass. These glasses were designed back in 2001 with the sole intent of creating the ideal glass for drinking whiskey.

The glass design allows for easy handling, and the short stable base and thicker glass make for a good overall tasting glass.

Most people advise swirling your bourbon and enjoying the smell before taking your first sip.

With the Glencairn, the shape of the glass directs the aroma of the bourbon into your nose at the same time as the first sip hits your tongue, making it easier to identify and enjoy the “nose” of the spirit.

Tulip

Like the Glencairn glass, the tulip-shaped glass is also appropriate for tasting bourbon. 

This style of glass is sometimes called copita-style or dock glass. Copita is a type of traditional glass used in Spain to sample sherry. The “dock glass” name came from merchants who used the style of glass to taste wares on the shipping docks.

The slightly narrowed rim and bowl shape concentrate bourbon’s aroma, and the long stem keeps your hands at a distance. However, you can also cradle the glass if you choose.

Rocks

This is the most common type of whiskey glass. It’s also known by other names: Old Fashioned, Lowball, and Tumbler.

With its wide rim, solid base, and straight sides, this glass type is ideal for mixed cocktails. You can easily muddle your drink ingredients, and the simple style won’t take away from the cocktail itself.

While the rocks glass isn’t ideal for a beginner for tasting bourbon, it’s a great addition to your bourbon glass set.

NEAT

The NEAT glass is cool-looking (short and squat) and ideal for negating any harsh aroma from the alcohol.

According to the manufacturers, a “simple glass blowing mistake” back in 2002 resulted in the creation of “naturally engineered aroma technology.”

They take an incredibly scientific approach to glass design, considering the human olfactory system’s physiology and applying chemistry and physics to their design process.

Balloon

Finally, we come to the traditional balloon glass. This bourbon glass style is also called the Snifter, Brandy Bowl, or Cognac Glass.

It’s a standard glass for dark, aged spirits. But as classy as the glass may appear, the tight rim and extra-wide body can cause harsh aromas to overwhelm your drinking experience.

This glass style is designed so the bourbon won’t spill out if you hold the glass partially horizontal.

Next, we’ll tackle a more subjective topic: style.

What Style Should My Bourbon Glassware Be?

It might feel like the style of bourbon glass doesn’t matter. But let’s step back and think about the difference it makes when your food is served in style. 

For example, would you rather eat a handful of french fries out of a greasy takeout container or fresh out of the fryer and served in one of those funky metal french fry holders at your favorite burger joint?

Neither one of those answers is wrong, but each has a particular style. The same goes for your bourbon drinking experience.

Are you more of a James Bond or a James (Jim) Belushi? A James Earl Jones or a James Gandolfini?

What kind of feel do you want? What’s the experience you want to have while you drink?

Take into account your bar area’s style and what kind of vibe you want to create for your bourbon tasting. And then choose a glass to match.

Next, as promised, let’s look at some of the best bourbon tasting glasses available today.

Now the only question left to answer is… 

What Are The Best Bourbon Glasses For You?

Now you know what to look for in a bourbon glass. Whatever combination you choose, your glass’s material, shape, and style will change your sipping experience.

To make the most of the bottle (or, let’s be real, bottles) of bourbon sitting on your shelf, it’s time to pick the best bourbon glasses for you.

And in our opinion (and literally every bourbon expert’s as well), the Glencairn is a must-have.