Maybe its no coincidence that two of my favorite things are made in Vermont: WhistlePig rye whiskey and Simon Pearce glassware. They both are fantastic products and quality brands, and I’ve never had a bad experience with either. So when I heard that they had teamed up to make a unique whiskey glass… well, I knew I had to get a set.
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Whiskey drinking, for me, is all about the experience. It’s about the flavors, the good conversations with friends, and enjoying well-made items that feel good to use. It’s the reason I use a $300 cigar cutter instead of a $10 version that does the same job, or $75 whiskey glasses when a $5 Ikea glass would be just as functional.
In other words, I’m pretty much the exact demographic that they are targeting. So let’s take a look at what they developed.
First impression: this is an absolute unit of a glass.
The base of this glass is, by far, the thickest base I’ve ever seen on a glass. It’s similar to the thick base that WhistlePig has on their whiskey bottles, but it’s actually thicker (I didn’t think that was possible). All of that glass is heavy and adds a lot of weight, even when empty.
I think there’s two reasons for this, and two reasons why I’m not complaining.
First, the thick base means that the glass still is nicely shaped for your hand — even with a smaller maximum volume. There’s less whiskey per pour in here compared to something like an old fashioned glass (which means you aren’t adding any ice or other fixings very easily). But for me that’s a feature, not a bug. I like enjoying my whiskey neat and in small quantities, and an old fashioned glass is just too big for this purpose. In my opinion, this glass has just enough room for the perfect neat pour of whiskey to be enjoyed, but thanks to that thick bottom it still feels like a full sized glass.
The weight of that thick bottom itself is also a positive aspect, in my opinion. Added weight means it takes more force to get the glass moving, and similarly means that minor trembles or shakes are less likely to disturb the glass. It makes it less likely for someone to accidentally knock the glass over and spill the contents, and also makes it easier to taste one small sip at a time.
The last feature I’d like to point out here is the curvy waist of the glass. The glass bulges at the bottom and curves outwards at the lip, leaving a slimmer waistline that looks a bit odd at first glance. I described it as a large glass tulip the first time I saw it — but that design does seem to be there for a reason.
At least in my hands, the glass fits perfectly thanks to those swells. It gives a little bit better purchase and control over the heavier glass without needing to apply quite as much force as you’d think to grip onto it, which is much appreciated. It just feels right in the hand and, for something designed to enhance the already experiential nature of whiskey, that’s a good thing in my book.
Engraved on the bottom of the glass is not only the typical Simon Pearce logo but also WhistlePig’s name, in case you got to the bottom and forgot what you were drinking.
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I’m a fan. I like it, and I think it’s a good product. We’ve reviewed their Double Old Fashioned glasses before which I also liked, but I think these are two different products for two different scenarios instead of being competition. The old fashioned glass is great for cocktails, but when you just want to enjoy the spirit neat, this is the right glass to pick.
Simon Pearce Shoreham Whiskey Glass
Website: SimonPearce.com
Price: $65
Overall Rating: 5/5
When the whiskey is the star of the show, this is the perfect pedestal to place it on.
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