Customer Reviews

Riedel Vinum Single Malt Whiskey Glasses, Set of 2

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been enjoying single malt scotch since back in the '70's. For a long time the selection available here in the States was quite limited. My normal choice of glass was a brandy snifter. The recent explosion of available brands of single malt caused me to branch out and try a couple other varities with mixed results. After reading the descriptions of some varities online, I found I just wasn't sensitive enough to discover the aromas and tastes they were experiencing. I was just about to settle back with my old favorite, (Can I name brands here?), Glenfiddich, when I discovered the availability of specialized tasting glasses while searching online.

I never thought the shape of a glass could make so much difference! These specialized glasses have opened new doors, or should I say new bottles, to the single malt scotch world for me. Is it the curve of the rim? I don't know. I can't say that I am smelling and tasting all of what the 'experts' claim is there, but they do make a difference. If you have any interest in exploring single malt scotches these specialized glasses are a must have.

And I may be bordering on sacrilege, but I've tried a little rum in them and they seem to work for that spirit also.

I bought these as a gift for my a friend of my husband. His favorite drink is single malt scotch (he usually drinks McCallum.) My husband and he often have a glass together at the end of the day and we thought the glasses would be better than the coffee mugs they sometimes use!

I wasn't sure why this glass was specific to whiskey or scotch. I did look for information about the Riedel types and shapes. According to the manufacturer, the company did research with the help of master distillers in Scotland. This resulted the design of a glass that is an elongated thistle shape on a truncated stem. The design incorporates a small, slightly out-turned lip which directs the spirit onto the tip of the tongue, where sweetness is perceived, and serves to emphasize the elegant creaminess of top quality single malt whiskey.

There are two lines of this glass, the Sommelier and the Vinum. The Riedel Sommeliers Series Single Malt Whiskey Glass is also available here at Amazon. The Sommelier items are more expensive as the upper part is blown into a mold and the the stem and base are hand-crafted.

The Vinum is machine made and more reasonably priced. The Vinum looks very lovely and is very nice and thin, there are no seams on the bowl, stem or base. (The Reidel name is etched on the bottom of the base.) It is made of over 24% lead crystal. The glass is 4 1/2 inches tall. There are 2 glasses per box, they are hand wash only. The box is sturdy and was in perfect condition when they arrived (I worried about this a little bit with such thin glasses.)

My husband feels the glasses indeed improve the taste of the scotch, but he isn't sure why. He also said it also makes you appreciate the whiskey more and pay attention to it when you are drinking with the special glasses. They made a beautiful gift with a bottle of his favorite drink. You won't be disappointed in these.

I received these as a gift, absolutely unexpected. I am greatly pleased with the glasses. The long glass allows for aromatics to be released by the heat of one's hand and reach the nose in a sequence of small discoveries. The shaped lip does the same for the liquid as it crosses the lips and expands into the mouth.

These really do increase the pleasure of fine single malts.

These are extremely well made but whisky seems to taste much better in the Glencarin glasses. I have 8 of the Riedel Vinum Single Malt Glasses and about 30 of the Glencarin whisky glasses. I have used these at about 10 different tastings and with the except of one person (and then only with one bourbon) every preferred the Glencarin glasses.

As an experiment, I had people put the same whisky from the same bottle in a Riedel Vinum Single Malt Glass and a Glencarin whisky glass. The difference was amazing: The Glencarin whisky glass seemed to make the whisky smoother and more flavorful.

At my tastings I will put both glasses out for people to use and they will wash and reuse their Glencarin whisky glasses before they will pick up a clean Riedel Vinum Single Malt Glasses. That speaks to the effect.

Just to be clear these are very well made and do improve the tastes of the whisky put in them, but the Glencarin whisky glasses do a much better job AND they are cheaper!

I still have 6 unopened Riedel Vinum Single Malt Glasses....not sure what I will do with them.

My recommendation, use these:

Glencarin Crystal Whiskey Glass, Set of 4

On a recent stay at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, I took part in a single malt scotch tasting sponsored by their Food and Beverage Department. The beverage director used glasses of this shape and size, and talked about how the shape of the glass can enhance the single malt experience. I was initially skeptical, but as soon as the tasting began I was convinced, and started looking to purchase a few for myself as soon as I returned home. I only rarely drink single malt scotch (too expensive) but I've found my enjoyment of those rare moments increased by 100% as a result of these glasses. They are pricey, but a wonderful way to help you enjoy your favorite single malt scotch, and I recommend them highly. Plus Amazon's prices were the best I could find when I purchased them.

My wife and I love these glasses. We have a large selection of Riedel products and these Single Malt glasses are of the same quality. I briefly considered the 'Sommelier' edition of the same glasses and while I'm sure they are fantastic I do not find that the Vinum series is lacking anything.

As long as your buying scotch at $50+/bottle why not drink it out of a nice glass?

If you are a single-malt scotch drinker and you are not using a single-malt whisky glass to enjoy it with, you may as well be pouring it down the drain. It really makes that much of a difference. Sure, brandy glasses come close, but a good single-malt glass and just the right amount of water will completely change how and what you taste.

With scotch whisky prices going up and up, spending $40 to greatly enhance your enjoyment of your $70 scotch is a no brainer.

If you enjoy a good scotch, this will only elevate your tastings. This really lets you take in all the nuances of your scotch, and it does what it says it does. A wonderful product to do scotch tastings.

After attending a wine tasting where different Riedel glasses were demonstrated, I had some friends do a head to head comparison using these glasses versus the typical barware you might have for Scotch.

Each was able to recognize a distinct difference and improvement to the experience using these glasses.

From what I can infer, the out-turned rim causes the spirits to mostly pass over the edges of the tongue, instead of on the center, making the alcohol burn more mellow, so you can detect more of the flavors in the Scotch or other liquor. These taste buds are not as susceptible to the burn which the middle tongue taste buds accentuate. The bowl height and shape also allows the scents to concentrate for you to appreciate, if you like.

I find many strong liquors taste much better in this glass, and don't need to be watered down to fully appreciate their complexity. Old fashioneds, shot glasses, etc. concentrate the drink right where you get the biggest reaction to the burn, so you miss out on the subtlety.

So if you get the glasses, please do a head-to-head comparison, and prove it to yourself. Pour some of you favorite liquor into this glass and have a taste, then pour it from this glass to one of the glasses you've always used. Taste again, then pour it back into this glass and try it again. Prepare to be amazed by the result...

We enjoyed these so much that we bought a set for my brother-in-law, who is a dedicated whiskey drinker.

The size of the glass might surprise some people (about 4 1/2 inches tall and 2 1/2 inches across), but that's to capture the aromas - they aren't intended to be filled all the way up.

If you like good whiskey, and drink it neat - you'll probably love these glasses.