Tulip glasses are a very interesting option, especially for whisky fans. Their unique shape stands out from wine glasses and traditional brandy snifters. They are incredibly elegant, and each element plays an important role during tasting. What distinguishes tulip glasses? How to drink from them to enjoy the richness of taste and aroma? What drinks to serve in them?
Glass tulips
Tulip glasses are incredibly decorative. The contour of the bowl, plump at the bottom, slowly and gradually tapers upwards, at some point changing into a straight line. This shape resembles the buds of fragrant spring tulips – wider at the stem and narrow at the tips of unopen petals.
This vessel is nothing like crystal, heavier glasses designed for high-proof spirits – it is created for other purposes. Such a bowl shape makes the tulip glass an ideal vessel for tasting aromatic alcohols, such as whisky or bourbon. It differs from traditional brandy snifters by its elongated stem, which among other things protects the drink from heating up too quickly.
Tasting from a tulip glass
Every good alcohol enthusiast who can appreciate the richness of flavours and aromas of individual spirits should have at least one KROSNO tulip glass in their tasting set. It was designed for multi-level tasting. The modern Crystalline glass from which the collection elements are made is extremely durable and perfectly clear, which affects the sensory experience when tasting the drink.
Each component of the vessel allows assessing the liquor's qualities through the senses of smell, taste, and sight. At the same time, thanks to the craftsmanship and attention to every detail, it looks incredibly elegant, which significantly influences the atmosphere of the moment.
Tulip bowl
What distinguishes a tulip glass for whisky is, of course, its bowl. The plump bottom perfectly holds the right amount of liquor. The crystalline glass from which the vessel is made allows for an undisturbed assessment of the colour and clarity, as well as the pearliness of this alcohol, which is extremely diverse in this respect. Thanks to the gentle narrowing, not a single drop of the noble drink will be lost when swirling the liquid.
The aroma is slowly released towards the tapering top – this is a perfect moment to put your nose into the glass and activate the first of your senses to intense work. Floral, oaky, spicy, fruity, grainy, nutty, vanilla, malty, herbal, phenolic, and finally medicinal and musty notes will be discernible without any interference, concentrating at the top of the vessel. When slowly moistening your lips with the first sip of the flavour-rich drink, the liquid will slowly and gently flow down the glass walls.
Slender stem
Another distinguishing feature of tulip glasses for whisky is the elongated stem. It is of great importance when tasting this noble drink.
There are two approaches regarding the ideal temperature of whisky during tasting – it should be around 15oC or room temperature. In both approaches, the liquid should be protected from heating by hand warmth – this causes the release of an undesirable alcoholic aroma. Holding the glass by the elongated, ergonomic stem, instead of the bottom of the bowl, will help maintain the desired temperature.
The perfect gift
Tulip glasses are a fantastic gift idea for a whisky and other fine spirits enthusiast. A bottle of aged whisky or a voucher for a tasting course can also be added to the set of vessels.
The mentioned glassware will suit almost any decanter – ornate or smooth, with a traditional or modern look. Thanks to the universal shape of KROSNO tasting glasses, they will look great alongside vessels of various styles.