The nosing glass
for master distillers, enthusiasts and not just for whisky connoisseurs

Nosing glasses - variants, glass shape and properties

Nosing glasses have the shape of a tulip and are very similar to the sherry tulip. However, they are slightly more bulbous, allowing the aromas of the spirit to develop optimally. Regardless of the type of nosing glass, they all taper towards the top, which means that the aroma potpourri is focused in the middle of the glass and delivered to the nose.

Nosing glasses also have an outwardly curved, so-called drinking rim. This has the advantage that the spirit flows broadly into the mouth and onto the tongue via this drinking lip, allowing the aroma nuances to spread more widely. Glasses of this type are preferred for tasting spirits, especially whisky.

A distinction is made between nosing glasses with long and short stems, glasses with lids and the Glencairn gas. But what distinguishes the individual models?

The nosing glass with stem

With a total height of around 20 centimetres and a volume of 200 to 280 millilitres as well as their rather bulbous tulip shape, the nosing glasses with a long stem look very elegant and are preferred for tastings. This explains why they are also known as tasting glasses. The wide belly ensures that the spirit has enough space and air to slowly unfold in all its fullness. The tapered opening of the glass ensures that the aromas do not evaporate so quickly. Nosig glasses allow the full aroma profile of the spirit to be released by gently swirling the glass. But be careful, swirling also allows more alcohol to escape, which could mask subtle facets.

As these glasses are usually made of thin, colorless glass and have a high brilliance but no cut, both the color and the viscosity of the poured drink can be clearly seen when the glass is swirled and can therefore be better assessed. Thanks to their long stem, the temperature of the spirit in the thin-walled glass is prevented from rising due to the body heat of the fingers and hand. However, if, for example, the whisky can be a little warmer, then a nosing glass with a short stem, which has a total height of around twelve and a half centimetres and a volume of around 190 millilitres and can be held in the hand, can be used.

The nosing glasses with a stem are the first choice for whisky tastings in renowned distilleries and bars. But a glass like this also ensures an optimal enjoyment experience at home.

Nosing glasses with lids

With a tasting glass with a small lid, you can discover whisky or other high-proof spirits in a different or new way. The lid concentrates the aromas in the glass and prevents them from escaping. After opening the lid, the nuances that you didn't notice or smell before are revealed.

The Glencairn glass

The Glencairn is a traditional tasting glass that was specially designed for whisky. The Glencairn was launched in 2001 by Paul and Scott Davidson, the sons of Raymond Davidson, who had invented the glass 20 years earlier. They introduced this glass to whisky experts, which ultimately led to the Glencairn receiving many honors and awards, including the Queen's Award for innovation in 2006. This glass is known as “The Glencairn Glass” worldwide.

Nosing Glasses – Spirits You Can Enjoy from Them

Nosing glasses are predominantly used for tasting and drinking whisky, especially single malt whisky, but they are also popular for enjoying cognac, rum, brandy, tequila, armagnac, calvados, or grappa.

Whisky

Generally, whisky is enjoyed through both the palate and the nose. Therefore, a high-quality whisky should be served in a glass that is bulbous at the bottom and tapers slightly towards the top – a nosing glass. For savoring a fine single malt whisky, the elegant tasting glass with a stem is optimal and indispensable. This glass prevents the drink from being warmed by the hand. Even for whiskies served at room temperature, this glass variant is perfect. The Glencairn glass is ideal for capturing aromas. It not only fits well in hand but also allows a bit of hand warmth to be transferred to the spirit inside the glass. However, American whiskies are better suited to a tumbler.

Cognac

The tulip-shaped glass is also preferred by discerning cognac enthusiasts, as this glass has the perfect shape to not only deconstruct the cognac into its elements through nosing but also to appreciate all its facets and nuances. The interplay of smell and taste senses makes the flavor more intense. It doesn't matter whether it's a glass with or without a stem or a Glencairn glass. A tasting glass is a wonderful alternative to the traditional cognac snifter.

Rum

As with other spirits, the goal with rum is to tease out all the aromas and discover every nuance. The shape and nature of the glass play a significant role, as smell, taste, and appearance are also influenced by the glass. The tapered glass funnels the aromas towards the nose. It is not surprising that a good dark rum is well-suited to nosing glasses. Dark rum is often enjoyed neat, unlike white rum, which is typically used for cocktails. If white rum is to be enjoyed neat, the tasting glass with a stem is the right choice.

Brandy, Tequila, Armagnac, Calvados, or Grappa

When brandy, tequila, armagnac, calvados, or grappa are served in a tasting glass, these fine spirits also unfold their complex structures and achieve optimal aroma. Nosing glasses in tulip form are especially used in professional tastings. For these fine spirits, the nose is treated to concentrated aromas, and the flavor is perceived more intensely. The visual assessment of the drink is also important. These spirits are served in a tasting glass for the same reasons as whisky.

Nosing glasses - How are they used?

Basically, you can't go far wrong when enjoying a fine spirit from such a glass. When pouring into the belly of the glass, make sure that there is still enough room to swirl the fine drop. This is necessary to ensure the full development of the aromas. The aromas are concentrated and leave the glass via the opening so that they are transported to the nose. This allows the respective spirit to be smelled much more intensely and its ingredients and components to be explored.

The color and viscosity or flow behavior of the high-proof drink can also be examined after swirling the glass. The quality of the drink can be recognized by the streaks that form on the edge of the glass as they trickle back and slowly flow over the glass wall.

As the drinking lip can be different in one glass or another, the aromas come out more concentrated or more widely dispersed. As a result, the alcohol first stimulates the taste buds at the front or broadly on the tongue. The actual taste and the finish then bring the full taste experience.

Short conclusion

Nosing glasses, also known as tasting glasses, are commercially available as glasses with long and short stems, with lids and as Glencairn glasses. They are the ideal glasses for tasting pure, high-proof spirits such as whisky, brandy, cognac, rum, etc. Due to their glass shape, which is very similar to a tulip, the aromas are fully developed and concentrated in the belly of the glass. The fine nuances are brought to the nose in concentrated form as a bouquet via the part that tapers towards the top. The taste is also perceived more intensely. Nosing glasses are real all-rounders that are indispensable for connoisseurs of fine spirits.

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