"Alex Davis, co-owner of the whiskey-focused bar Peck Slip Social in New York City, recommends using a tumbler or rocks glass, rather than a glass with a smaller rim. She tells Tasting Table, "I truly believe the best way to make a 'lesser' bourbon or rye more enjoyable is to use a wider old fashioned glass to distribute the nose more." The bigger the rim of a glass, the more the aromas dissipate so a tumbler or rocks glass are perfect for a lower-budget bourbon. These simple bar-staples aren't designed for aroma enhancement, but they are some of the best glasses for sipping bourbon, especially if you want it to air it out a bit more."
"Whiskey and bourbon are often served neat in Glencairn glasses, which are tulip-shaped glasses typically used for tasting purposes. They're are designed to concentrate the aromas of the spirit and push them to the rim, which allows all of the flavors to shine through. But if you don't love the profile of the bourbon you're drinking, then you don't want that intense sipping experience, so Davis doesn't recommend them for undesirable bourbon."
""For budget bourbon, I would absolutely avoid using a Glencairn or Glasvin glass," Davis explains. "Those create a strong nose - the whiskey aromas coming out of the glass - which for a lesser bourbon will likely be too harsh.""
Wider old-fashioned or rocks glasses disperse and dissipate whiskey aromas, softening harsh noses in lower-cost bourbons. Tulip-shaped Glencairn or Glasvin glasses concentrate aromas and intensify the nose, which can amplify undesirable flavors in budget bottles. Tumblers and rocks glasses are not designed for aroma enhancement and allow the spirit to air out, making sips more approachable. Adding a small amount of water can evaporate unwanted volatile flavors and reduce the perceived proof, further mellowing the profile. Choosing a broader-rimmed glass and adjusting with water can noticeably improve the drinkability of inexpensive bourbon.
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