A Wonderful Christmas Present: Snüte Whiskey Nosing Glasses

The whiskey you choose deserves a vessel that complements its flavor. But, then again, if discretion is required, a Solo cup will do. 

To me, a Snüte nosing glass is an engineering marvel.  How did they manage to put glass inside a glass?!  I have no idea how they did it.  But, it’s pretty great.  Conceptually, it’s similar to a Glencairn whisky nosing glass, but with air insulation. 

The Glencairn has been the preferred nosing glass for more than forty years and was designed specifically to enhance the aromas of whisky.  Designed by Glencairn Crystal Ltd, in Glasgow, Scotland, the Glencairn glass is widely regarded by whisk(e)y enthusiasts as the ideal nosing glass. It holds roughly six ounces, though it’s meant to be used with just a single shot - enough to swirl, nose, and taste.

While Glencairn glasses are excellent for tasting, they can be pricey. If you’re hosting a whiskey tasting, a standard Riedel bulb glass is a practical alternative.  It resembles the bowl of a wine glass, minus the stem and base. It does the job well and is much more budget-friendly.  The key is using clear glass (Solo cups may be fine for beer, but they don’t belong in a whiskey tasting - assuming you’re not concerned about a police raid.)  A simple design allows you to appreciate the whiskey’s colo

r and clarity. (If you do host a tasting, I have printable coasters with whiskey quotes from notable drinkers - just reach out and I’ll email them to you.)

Unfortunately, Snüte doesn’t appear to have its own website, but they do have an Amazon Store where you can browse their full range of products and color options. They offer several insulated cups designed for whiskey and other beverages. I picked up their Double-Wall Whisky Glasses - 6 oz stemless nosing glasses made of insulated crystal ($25 for 2).  

It’s a very interesting glass: light, elegant, and, admittedly, quite delicate. That would be my main criticism. I wouldn’t recommend putting them in the dishwasher, though they don’t really need it. A bit of warm, soapy water followed by a thorough rinse is all it takes to keep them clean and neutral for your next pour.

The Norlan glass is also gaining popularity in the nosing world. It follows a similar concept, though with a different base design.

I’m currently sipping Baker’s 7-year-old in my new Snüte glasses. It’s rich and flavorful, if a bit hot - no surprise once I noticed it’s a single-barrel expression bottled at 107 proof. A splash of water helps.  I’ll be adding Baker’s to the Whiskey of the Week rotation so you can explore it as well. The takeaway here is that Snüte really does bring out the best in a whisk(e)y.

Aunt Permilia sent the same $5 she sends every Christmas. Consider putting it toward a pair of Snüte nosing glasses - you won’t regret it

Prost!

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