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      Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

      By BillNovember 30, 20210
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      Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

      November 30, 2021

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      August 24, 2021

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    Barware

    A Glencairn glass by any other name? Bellemain Whiskey Glass

    BillBy BillNovember 20, 2014Updated:December 11, 20153 Comments3 Mins Read

    When is a Glencairn Glass not really a Glencairn Glass?

    When it’s a Bellemain Glass.

    By now, I’m sure you’ve seen the Glencairn Glass in any number of photos on this site or others discussing bourbon and whiskey. It has become the standard whiskey glass for thoseGlencairn Glass who sip their whiskey neat.

    IMG_20141029_203327The glass was designed by Glencairn Crystal in Scotland by Raymond Davidson. He started with a traditional copita glass and made design changes based upon input from the master blenders of major Scotch Whisky distilleries. It was quickly adopted by the Scotch Whisky Association and became the standard by which all other whisk(e)y glassware is judged. Why?

    EH Taylor Small Batch 3The Tulip shape holds and focuses aromas in the glass, allowing tasters to get a full experience when detecting nuanced smells. Also, the solid base of the glass not only provides stability, but allows the glass to be held with the bulbous container free of finger prints and easily visible for the connoisseur to get a good look at the appearance of the juice. Simple, right?

    They’re also not the cheapest of glassware. You won’t find these at Pier 1 for $3. Amazon.com currently lists sets of 6 for $38.99 for those with Amazon Prime memberships.

     

    Enter Bellemain.

    Bellemain sells a wide variety of kitchen utensils and glassware, and recently introduced the Bellemain glass. It’s nearly identical to the Glencairn. From the lead-free crystal, to the roughly 6 ounce capacity, to the shape of the base, it’s a Glencairn in all but name…and price. The Prime price on Amazon.com for the Bellemain Glass is only $18.90 for 6. That’s right, almost half the cost.

    Intrigued, I purchased a box of 6.

    True to the photos, they’re essentially knock-off Glencairns. The differences are so minute that I might be imagining them. The base feels ever-so-slightly more rounded than the base of the Glencairn. But they’re well made, solid, and I promise that few people, if any, would ever notice the lack of “The Glencairn Glass” etched on the bottom.

    The Bellemain Glass
    The Bellemain Glass
    The Glencairn Glass
    The Glencairn Glass

    Can you tell a major difference? 

    Neither can I…and neither can my bourbon.

     

     

     

    In fact, the photos I used for the Glencairn Tasting Tray Project post were actually taken using Bellemain glasses rather than Glencairns.  Bet you didn’t even notice!

    tasting tray 1.4

     

     

     

     

    So if you’re looking to stock up on bulk whiskey tasting glasses for a party or group tasting, you might want to consider these.

    You can purchase the Bellemain Glasses on Amazon.com through the following link:
    Bellemain 6 Oz. Whisky Glass, Set of 6

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    Bill
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    Bill is the Co-Founder, Editor-in Chief, and official Bourbon-o-Phile for ModernThirst.com, and Founder and Chief Blending Officer for Four Gate Whiskey Company. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. He attended the University of Kentucky in the mid to late 1990s. He has also been published on Liquor.com. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. He is married with two daughters, and lives in east Louisville. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at Bill@ModernThirst.com.

    Related Posts

    Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

    November 30, 2021

    Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon

    August 24, 2021

    Press Release: Old Forester’s Next Release in the 117 Series Features a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K 

    August 20, 2021

    3 Comments

    1. Corey on December 28, 2015 12:44 pm

      Do the Bellemain glasses have any etching on the bottom? I am wanting to get them engraved, and can’t find that info anywhere. Thanks for the review.

      Reply
      • Bill on December 28, 2015 2:46 pm

        nope. nothing on the bottom.

        Reply
    2. Mexican Glassware on March 2, 2017 6:55 pm

      Every whiskey lovers must to know that. I bought some Glencairn Glass glassware for whiskey and I enjoy every sip in a good cup.

      Reply

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