Whisky Tasting: Different Whisky Glass Shapes to Pick up Different Whisky Characteristics
“If there are different glasses for drinking wine, why shouldn’t there be different glasses for whisky appreciation considering the variety of styles as well?” I had always thought to myself.
The opportunity arose when Lucaris Crystal, Asia’s luxury crystal glass manufacturer, approached me to develop glassware for whisky under their Masters’ Choice Collection. The answer was easy and the timing was perfect. There was clearly a gap in the market for whisky lovers (and geeks like myself). I could be working on something outside my employment hours developing a product I truly believe in as a hobby whisky project. And so, I did.
The World’s First Specialised Whisky Glassware for Whisky Appreciation
The Design Process
The process fun. First, I had to consider the characteristics I like to bring out, and how these characteristics have been undermined by traditional rock glass, the popular Glencairns or the novel rocking glass. Of course, I had great friends to rely on in Singapore.
The first sketch took about a month to develop. There were about six in the original sketches including a tumbler. I had to bounce off my ideas with the experts at Lucaris Crystal and their acclaimed master glass-makers. The learning curve was steep and the experience, priceless.
From there, four designs were shortlisted, and 3D prototypes were developed. I tried some whiskies with the prototypes with friends in the whisky industry. All feedback was considered seriously and after a few rounds of refining the design, and finetuning the shape.
The rest was history.
The World’s First Specialised Whisky Glassware
After months of product development, The Gràn Collection finally took shape and was launched in 2020.
I am very proud to say that it is world’s first specialised whisky crystal glassware. Lucaris Crystal has indeed changed and offered whisky lovers like myself a new way to appreciate whisky. The Gràn Collection is designed with the goal in mind to pick up whisky characteristics and enhance the appreciation of different nuances in the drams.
Award-winning Whisky Glassware
What truly distinguishes this collection is its meticulously crafted, hand-blown design with tight curves, offering both strength and sustainability by using fewer raw materials and reducing the carbon footprint.
These glasses are crafted from lead-free crystal, further enhancing overall well-being and health safety. The glassware picked up two awards after it was launched: iF Design Award 2021 and Tableware Awards of Excellence 2022.
A symbol of quality and design excellence , The Gràn Collection offers four distinct tasting glasses, each optimised for key distinctions in whisky profiles.
Classic: Perfect Balance
The Classic glass is a timeless masterpiece, featuring a stemmed and tulip-shaped design that perfectly complements balanced whiskies. It’s the ideal companion for high-end whisky venues.
Unveils full potential of: Blends including Johnnie Walker, Ballantines, Chivas, and balanced single malts such as Glenrothes, and classic Bourbons.
Delicate: Fruity, Floral, and Grassy Notes
The Delicate glass takes a unique approach with an angled rim designed to emphasize the light fruity and floral notes in more delicate whiskies. It elevates the nosing experience, allowing you to uncover the subtlest of aromas.
Unveils full potential of: Classic Irish whiskies, lowland Scotch whiskies, and more delicate Speyside whiskies such as Glenfiddich and Glenlivet.
Sherried: Bold and Bulged
For those who revel in the deep-dried fruit and chocolate notes of sherry cask whiskies, the Sherried glass is a game-changer. Its wider bowl increases the interaction between whisky and air, unlocking the hidden flavors.
Unveils full potential of: Sherried whiskies including Aberlour, Glendronach, Macallan, The Yamazaki, and Glenfarclas.
Peated: Captured Heart of Peat
Finally, the Peated glass is designed to capture the richer, earthier notes of a peated whisky. With a narrow rim, it offers a unique perspective on distinctive drams.
Unveils full potential of: Peated whiskies including Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Port Charlotte, Ardbeg, and Talisker.
Have you tried The Gràn Collection? You can read more more about me here or click on my social media icons below to share your thoughts.
