Crystal glasses vs. Regular glasses

**Luc** · 11-08-2009, 01:37 AM

I've been looking around to get some nice crystal glasses to drink my cognac/whiskey/scotch/etc. Most of them are quite expensive down under and made me go for the cheap option, a $6.95 brandy glass for my cognac. I love them and I'm not too worried if I break them.

This makes me think, do they really worth it? Are they just 'cute' and that's it? Does it change something? I think I had wine in a crystal glass one day, enjoyable, yes, worth it? Not so sure.

What's your take on crystal glasses? Do you use them? Are they different? How?

**WhosYerBob** · 11-08-2009, 03:23 AM

I've read that specific glass designs are created to enhance the experience of different drinks, but having tried a number of them myself, I can't make that claim. My beverage of choice (beer, wine, spirits, mixed, milk, water, what have you) tastes the same to me no matter what glass container I drink it from. I can notice a taste difference between metal and glass, but not glass and ceramic, and not between regular glass and crystal.

**mdunn** · 11-08-2009, 03:26 AM

even though ive some fantasic glasses, I still drink cognac (and sometimes scotch) from a brandy balloon - sure its against the 'rules' but it warms up a little and the scent is funneled up to my nose.. delicious.

They make for a great experience, but dont really change the drink. Think all the different knurlings on DEs - very cool, fun to have, no real impact in the grand scheme of things.

**shm** · 11-08-2009, 03:35 AM

Well, I think you can compare it to cartridge shaving versus DE shaving. They both shave off your beard, but the enjoyment of the two methods is quite different.

I would rather prefer to have my whisky in a crystal glass than in an "ordinary" glass. The feel is so much better in the crystal. The weight and the tone/sound from the crystal just is superior in my opinion.

The taste of the drink will be the same, no doubt about that, but the enjoyment is just bigger with crystal.

But as always YMMV

**allumedirocca** · 11-08-2009, 05:18 AM

I prefer a crystal glass because I like the weight in the hand, but I haven't experienced a taste difference. I have a friend that will only eat ice cream in a crystal bowl, he says there is a big taste difference... maybe my palate just isn't refined enough.

**danek** · 11-08-2009, 08:34 AM

I've notice that crystal is much thinner than glass. Drinking from the thin lip of a crystal glass seems to highlight the wine/whisky/cognac much more than glass. By comparison, the glass lip feels so thick that it's like drinking from a mason jar.

**airplanedoc** · 11-09-2009, 08:33 AM

it's like drinking from a mason jar

Some things are better drank from a Mason Jar.

I prefer crystal glasses. Better hand feel.

**Miles** · 11-09-2009, 08:51 AM

One caveat: Due to their brittle characteristics, crystal glasses tend to be more prone to breakage than glass.

Someone gave us a set of crystal double old fashioned glasses and I just love them for sipping scotch. It does indeed seem to add to the enjoyability of the experience, but not in any way that I can taste. I would attribute the difference to the heft and quality of the crystal more than anything. I'm down to my last one as attrition has taken its toll, and it's very likely that I'll seek out another such set after the eventual demise of the final glass.

**john parker** · 11-09-2009, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by mdunn

even though ive some fantasic glasses, I still drink cognac (and sometimes scotch) from a brandy balloon - sure its against the 'rules' but it warms up a little and the scent is funneled up to my nose.. delicious.

They make for a great experience, but dont really change the drink. Think all the different knurlings on DEs - very cool, fun to have, no real impact in the grand scheme of things.

Don't really think drinking cognac, brandy and even scotch in a brandy snifter is against the rules. Perfectly acceptable in my opinion. Remember, when French had the vine disease and lost cognac/brandy production, it was scotch that stepped in to fill the role.

**Luc** · 11-09-2009, 11:56 AM

looks like I have to find meself some crystal glasses now...

**TonyH** · 11-09-2009, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by allumedirocca

I prefer a crystal glass because I like the weight in the hand, but I haven't experienced a taste difference. I have a friend that will only eat ice cream in a crystal bowl, he says there is a big taste difference... maybe my palate just isn't refined enough.

I don't know why, but this struck me as hilarious. I wish I were friends with Liberace!

**danek** · 11-09-2009, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Luc

looks like I have to find meself some crystal glasses now...

I suggest that you take a look at Reidel. IMO, they are fairly reasonable priced (machine made) for the quality and they make a wine glass (Vinum) that's VERY tough for crystal.

**Venom8431** · 11-09-2009, 02:13 PM

IMO, crystal is overrated. Outside of material, glass and crystal will perform the same job; pouring liquid into your mouth. I'm a big fan of glasses and cups and have never felt the urge to buy crystal. If it breaks, your SOL and are going to need to pay a ton of money to replace it. My favorite glass is a double old-fashioned glass I got from Crate and Barrel for $10. It's big, hefty, and looks amazing. Plus, if I break it I have 5 more waiting in the wings or extra for company.

I just realized I lied about never buying crystal. There was a decanter I found that was just so gorgeous I couldn't help but buy it. I tried to find a glass equivalent, but just couldn't find anything close.

**clubman** · 11-09-2009, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by danek

I suggest that you take a look at Reidel. IMO, they are fairly reasonable priced (machine made) for the quality and they make a wine glass (Vinum) that's VERY tough for crystal.

My personal pick for nice glasses is Spiegelau (owned by Reidel now, so you're really getting jr-Reidel's) which is significantly cheaper and just about as nice.

For neat brown spirits I like these:

http://www.amazon.com/Spiegelau-Vino...7804833&sr=8-1

However, more often than not I find myself drinking spirits out of a heavy crystal double old-fashioned or a cheapo Glencairn, the Spiegelau snifters being a little fancy for everyday, if you know what I mean. They are the absolute best for handwarming, though (unlike a Glencairn).

For the reds that I generally drink, I like these (note, these a really good deal because as with all nice wine glasses, you WILL break a few sooner or later). They can actually fit on your shelf, which is a plus:

http://www.amazon.com/Spiegelau-Vino...ref=pd_sbs_k_3

Personally, I think the biggest differences between crystal and glass are in the lip (crystal generally has none) and the size of the bowl (crystal is usually much larger). Both of these have a real impact on the whole drinking experience, and can sometimes elevate plonk to something not bad at all!

**mdunn** · 11-09-2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Luc

looks like I have to find meself some crystal glasses now...

just troll vinnies, mate. You'd be shocked the ammount of top quality glassware ive seen in there for cents in the dollar.

**lamina** · 11-09-2009, 05:04 PM

I don't remember exactly what i've read once but it was something about getting poisoned by cristal glasses having high rates of lead in their composition...it was used for typical heaviness and luminosity of crystal glasses, it seems

**dpmtherrien** · 11-09-2009, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by lamina

I don't remember exactly what i've read once but it was something about getting poisoned by cristal glasses having high rates of lead in their composition...it was used for typical heaviness and luminosity of crystal glasses, it seems

That's only for leaded crystal. The lead does have a tendency to leech out if liquid is left in for a length of time. I believe that alcohol in any liquid could tend to speed up that leeching effect. The leaded crystal is usually of older European made crystal, and regular crystal doesn't have lead in it.

**Mooncalf** · 11-09-2009, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by dpmtherrien

The leaded crystal is usually of older European made crystal, and regular crystal doesn't have lead in it.

Modern crystalware (regardless of origin) still commonly contains ≥24% lead oxide. There are some very nice lead-free crystalware pieces available, no doubt, though chances are if a crystal product doesn't specifically say lead-free, it isn't.