Reddit reviews Glencairn Whisky Glass Set of 4

Does he eat cake or other sweets with whisky? If not, he may just be confused, and buying a bottle of whisky would be a safer route.

If he doesn't have a set of Glencairn Glasses that might be a nice gift as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003QX2JMA/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493696078&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=glencairn&dpPl=1&dpID=41WvftP2%2BmL&ref=plSrch

4 glasses for $20. That's about $5 per glass.

Can't even buy a bottle of JW Black for that.

Glencairn. About $8-10 in stores or Amazon. Still glass, though:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QX2JMA/

Several of the plastic glasses now have fine lips:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UGUAWNO/

It's expensive and not a single malt (which is okay but not okay at that price).

I'd much rather go with something like Highland Park 12 which is ~$35-$40ish. If I'm going to spend $60+ I'd rather get an Islay personally (have a personal weakness for Ardbeg Uigeadail). But, JW Blue is basically all flash.

Though, I don't drink scotch to get drunk, so I consume not a lot in one sitting (usually use a Glencairn glass +/- drop of water.

There are a lot more knowledgeable folks over at /r/scotch

How does he drink his scotch?

If with ice, go with a rocks glass and throw in a round ice maker.

If he drinks it neat or with a little water, go with the Glencarin glasses everyone is recommending. They are my go to. Another solid choice in this vein would be a copita nosing glass. They're basically a Glencairn on a stick.

Whatever you choose, Amazon or Waterford, a nice touch would be getting the glassware engraved.

I used armour etch to personalize each Glencairn Whisky Glass. I then found a suitable box, cut out some foam, covered it in fabric, and topped it with a vinyl decal. It went over great at our last meeting.

I hate to be that guy that says "Read the fuckin sticky", but, the bourbon guide is very very good here, and I used it when I ventured here from scotch land. Check it out on the sidebar, or just click here!

I like /u/rebo2's idea of getting smaller bottles to try and do a taste test, but i would definitely suggest going through the guide and start off by getting Buffalo Trace, Bulleit, and Maker's Mark, in that order. Make sure that by the time you buy your third bottle, you still have some left over in each of the other two bottles so you can compare. Setup a night where you can taste all 3 back to back to back. This will give you a chance to really compare the difference between low rye, high rye, and wheated bourbons. There is a reason why these 3 are recommended for beginners, you get a really great base for tasting everything else in Bourbon land.

My personal favorites of commonly purchasable items, Buffalo Trace, Makers, Wild Turkey 101, Jim Beam Black (far superior to the white label), Four Roses small batch, Elijah Craig 12, Eagle Rare, and Old Weller Antique 107.

For the Rye Whiskey, Sazerac Rye, High West Rendezvous Rye, Bulleit Rye, and Rittenhouse. I need to try a few more ryes to be honest, but i love the spicy flavors they have.

Invest in some real glassware, get some old fashioned glasses at least, and when you are ready get some Glencairn glasses. You can find them relatively inexpensive on Amazon, I linked the Glencairn set I purchased.

Read /u/texacer guide on reviewing whiskey. Also, watch this Highland Park video on nosing and tasting. These both helped me tremendously for appreciating and learning how to nose and taste whiskey. There is a ton of great info in both links.

Hope this helps, good luck and ask away any questions on this sub, I have found that this is my favorite sub here on Reddit, everyone is super awesome here. Remember, whiskey is best shared with friends, so bring some friends with you on your journey if you can.

Here's the official Riedel Glass.

Glencarins are also popular.

Glencairn's free from shows and such. Or amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Whisky-Glasses--Set-4/dp/B003QX2JMA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1372478013&sr=8-3&keywords=glencairn
http://www.amazon.com/Stolzle-Glencairn-Whiskey-Glass-Boxed/dp/B003TMCNI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372477972&sr=8-1&keywords=glencairn

https://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Whisky-Glass-Set-4/dp/B003QX2JMA

Better than a tumbler believe me ;)

A set of Stölzle Glencairn whisky glasses at $24.95.

https://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Whisky-Glass-Set-4/dp/B003QX2JMA

Does it need to be etched cut crystal? Glencairns are one of the standard whiskey glasses. They're very narrow and are made to enhance the nose. I believe I've seen etched cut crystal glencairns before.

It would cool to get a crazy looking glass, but if you want to appreciate the whiskey like an aficionado, go with a set of Glencairn tulip shaped whiskey glasses, found here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003QX2JMA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1451185016&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=glencairn+whisky+glass&dpPl=1&dpID=41WvftP2%2BmL&ref=plSrch
They are the perfect shape to capture the aromas of the whiskey, examine the "legs", and allow the whiskey to hit your tongue correctly.

I took some pictures of a couple of Glencairns I have around, one is a known genuine glass purchased in person from the Glen Garioch Distillery, the other is from a 4-pack on Amazon (note it was priced at ~$24 when I bought it). To me, they look and feel exactly the same. The etching is also the same as far as I can tell. The packaging for the Glen Garioch glasses is obviously different from a standard Glencairn, but the Amazon glasses came in a plain cardboard box with 4 individually boxed glasses in it.

Album with a few comparison pictures.

Have you checked out this badass crystal skull glass? to tip you over to 101% badassness?

Or perhaps this go for the more traditional fancy with these beautiful glasses?

When you have some time on your hands, perhaps these freezable glasses may suit you! you know, when you are done looking at the 10 Practical Speed Skating Secrets From Julia Roberts

I'm a last minute shopper on this one, but absolutely turning to Amazon next time.

$25 for 4 here: http://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Whisky-Glass-Set-4/dp/B003QX2JMA

I enjoy Islays much more from a wider-nosed Canadian Whisky glass than from an aroma focussing Glencairn Scotch whisky glass.

http://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Whisky-Glass-Set-4/dp/B003QX2JMA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415115377&sr=8-1&keywords=glencairn

something like that? Thanks!

I too am a scotch drinker. Here are some of my favorite books on the subject:
Guide to Urban Moonshining

How to make whiskey

The Complete guide to single malt scotch

Some of them are about making whiskey but they go into details on the history and background of different whiskeys which i found very interesting. My favorite of the 3 is the urban moonshining one.

I haven't used one before but you could also get him a nice water dropper for whiskey and/or a glencairn glass.

Joey Magnus or some Glencairns. Even a Glencairn Tasting/Carrying Set.

https://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Whisky-Glass-Set-4/dp/B003QX2JMA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1539377310&sr=8-3&keywords=glencairn+glasses+whiskey

I have these. I'm not sure about the decorative one's OP has, but the ones I bought are very thin and light weight compared to glass versions I've tried.

enjoy!

You could also consider getting him some of these for the gift if he doesn't already have any:

http://www.amazon.com/Glencairn-Whisky-Glass-Set-4/dp/B003QX2JMA

http://www.amazon.com/Taylord-Milestones-Glasses-Diamond-Fashioned/dp/B00TFX2QFA/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1462905289&sr=1-5&keywords=whiskey++glass