Glassware Discussion Thread

**SteveS** · 02-09-2007, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by TimmyBoston

I've heard some good things about them. Do you mind throwing up a review in the durables section or posting more of your thoughts here and/or how they compare to other whisky glasses. Thanks, Steve

I initially got these glasses because I liked the that they have no stem---like a traditional whiskey glass---and that they have a modest taper, to help concentrate the smell of the whiskey. I find the small size is perfect for drinking whiskey neat because of those qualities and the fact that the tip of my nose falls just inside the rim when I'm sipping from them. Also, I find them easy to cup in my hand to warm whiskey, which I sometimes do.

In terms of quality, the glasses have very heavy bottoms and are made of impressively smooth (seamless) glass. In those senses, they have a quality feel to them.

**MacArthur Mike** · 02-09-2007, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by TimmyBoston

Do anyone have any thoughts on the Riedel "O" series?

Lousy IMHO. Definitely glass, definitely warm the wine. More gimmic than anything.

**TimmyBoston** · 02-10-2007, 03:35 AM

Got some Riedel Vinum Bordeaux glasses today! Yaaaay! (accompianied by girlish squealling)

**Doc4** · 02-11-2007, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by TimmyBoston

Got some Riedel Vinum Bordeaux glasses today! Yaaaay! (accompianied by girlish squealling)

What was the first wine that went in them?

**TimmyBoston** · 02-21-2007, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Doc4

What was the first wine that went in them?

2000 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet. It was very tasty!

**ouch** · 02-22-2007, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by TimmyBoston

Got some Riedel Vinum Bordeaux glasses today! Yaaaay! (accompianied by girlish squealling)

Considering price, size, shape, and quality, those may well be the best all around glasses on the market. Although they're not specifically designed for them, I've used them successfully for pinot, Rhones, whites, and ports.

**TimmyBoston** · 02-24-2007, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by ouch

Considering price, size, shape, and quality, those may well be the best all around glasses on the market. Although they're not specifically designed for them, I've used them successfully for pinot, Rhones, whites, and ports.

I will have to try some port in them.

**TimmyBoston** · 04-03-2007, 02:18 AM

Does anyone know where to get Michael Jackson's Whisky Connoisseur Glasses?

They used to be available through maltadvocate.com, but I can't find them on the site any longer.

**thackos** · 02-02-2009, 03:53 AM

It is probably a travesty to say around these parts, but the "O" series go safely in the dishwasher without crystal clouding or stems breaking. Is that the canned goo of glassware?

I have 2 of the Sommellier Shiraz that I use once a year for extra special vintages, but I use the "O" series daily. The lack of stem has meant fewer breakages, and a slight adjustment to my swirly nosing - hold the top of the glass.

I rave about the "O" series and buy them for all my family and friends when I am short of ideas.

**BarberRonny** · 02-02-2009, 12:33 PM

**Doc4** · 02-02-2009, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by thackos

... the canned goo of glassware ...

... I use the "O" series daily.

When I first got into wine years ago, I bought and read a short 'intro' book by Hugh Johnson. Among many other things, he discussed stemware, advising on proper shape &c. and so forth. One of his asides, though, was a photo of some old French geezers sitting in a cheap cafe drinking red vin tres ordinaire out of regular table glasses. His point there, was that it's fine and great to drink regular, unpretentious wine in a regular and unpretentious manner: to pour Plonk de Plonk into expensive stemware, swirl, sniff, yada yada, is kind of like putting on a tuxedo to go to the grocery store ... overkill. (All those of you who make your own wine ... it ain't good enough for stemware.)

I would never put a good bottle of wine in an "O" glass, but I could see them being just fine for the cheap-o Gallo Hearty Burgundy or OJ or whatever.

**jakuda** · 02-02-2009, 03:07 PM

Riedel makes great glasses, but I find I like the cost and quality of certain lines of Spiegelau (often on sale on amazon) and the "titanium shatter resistant" Schott Zwiesel Tritan glassware more.

**Torcams** · 02-02-2009, 10:03 PM

For Wine, I own the Riedel Vinum Bordeaux, chardonnay, and port glasses and they have served me well with a variety of wines over the 15 years or so that I have been collecting. The Riedel Ultra decanter is also recommended.

The port glasses make a fine cognac glass as well as an acceptable technical scotch nosing glass although slightly larger than the traditional copita. They can also be used for other sweet dessert wines such as Sauternes/Barsac.

For relaxing and enjoying scotch/bourbon in a non-technical manner, I much prefer a heavy crystal tumbler. I have a set of Ralph Lauren glen plaid tumblers that are great for that purpose.

For cocktails I have a set of Orrefors martini glasses that are beautiful (handblown with no seam where the stem meets the bowl) and a matching martini pitcher.

**Obsessed** · 03-14-2009, 05:23 PM

Some of those Riedel glasses are really nice. Maybe it's a silly question, but is there any reason to worry about the lead content of the crystal? (I'm addle-minded enough as it is!)

Thanks.

**ginantonix** · 03-14-2009, 06:29 PM

I'm a big fan of the Riedel glasses, and I totally appreciate what they are doing with wine glasses. BUT... the scotch glass is way off. Absolutely no good, IMHO.

We actually did a nosing test of 12 different styles of glasses among the Victoria Single Malt Club, and everyone rated them privately - not one person picked the Riedel for accentuating the aromas, and many rated it dead last. (This is a group with a lot of wine enthusiasts who love the Riedel wine glasses, some said they really wanted to rate the Riedel glass higher.) The straight sides and lily-shaped lip seemed to let the aromas spill out, rather than concentrating them.

The best ratings were from a brandy snifter, and the standard ISO nosing glasses. Jim Murray is also a huge promoter of the ISO glasses for nosing whisky, and he should know as he noses a few hundred a month.

Personally, I really like the Glencairn and these are the glasses we distribute at our Whisky Festival - they look really cool, and they are very sturdy - almost indestructible, in contrast to the very destructible Riedel whisky glasses.

As always, of course, YMMV.

**letterk** · 03-17-2009, 02:09 PM

Would the Glencairn be a good everyday whisky glass? I drink more bourbon than anything.

**TimmyBoston** · 03-17-2009, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by letterk

Would the Glencairn be a good everyday whisky glass? I drink more bourbon than anything.

It is a good glass John. I have one and like it very much. IMO, it may be the best nosing glass out there.

I do use different glasses for bourbon and for Scotch. I prefer the Riedel Vinum Single Malt Glass for Scotch. It's a great combination of value and quality. Around $15. For bourbon I use the Riedel Vinum Cognac Hennessy Glass, also around 15. It's the best bourbon glass I've ever found.

Single Malt Glass

Cognac Hennessy Glass

**boboakalfb** · 03-18-2009, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by ginantonix

I'm a big fan of the Riedel glasses, and I totally appreciate what they are doing with wine glasses. BUT... the scotch glass is way off. Absolutely no good, IMHO.

We actually did a nosing test of 12 different styles of glasses among the Victoria Single Malt Club, and everyone rated them privately - not one person picked the Riedel for accentuating the aromas, and many rated it dead last. (This is a group with a lot of wine enthusiasts who love the Riedel wine glasses, some said they really wanted to rate the Riedel glass higher.) The straight sides and lily-shaped lip seemed to let the aromas spill out, rather than concentrating them.

The best ratings were from a brandy snifter, and the standard ISO nosing glasses. Jim Murray is also a huge promoter of the ISO glasses for nosing whisky, and he should know as he noses a few hundred a month.

Personally, I really like the Glencairn and these are the glasses we distribute at our Whisky Festival - they look really cool, and they are very sturdy - almost indestructible, in contrast to the very destructible Riedel whisky glasses.

As always, of course, YMMV.

I see where you're coming from, I wouldn't use it as a nosing glass at all. I do however think it works very well to drink from. The Glencairn is a great choice.

**mparker762** · 03-18-2009, 08:50 AM

I've got their burgundy, bordeaux, syrah, port, spirits, sauternes and whiskey glasses. The Reidel stuff is generally very good, and do a good job of punching up the character of whatever they're designed for.

The only one that I think really misses the mark is their whiskey glass - their best whiskey glasses IMO are their port/sherry glasses (for scotches) and their sauternes glass (for bourbons).