Showing posts with label glassware. Show all posts
Showing posts with label glassware. Show all posts

Monday, April 6, 2015

Review of the Whisky Glass from Denver and Liely - A Glass from Down Under





There’s something to be said about handmade craftsmanship.  In the bourbon and whisk(e)y industry, many companies pride themselves for crafting fine whiskey over a period of time and not something that can be made over night.  Much time and consideration is put into their final product.  This practice can also be found in many other industries and when something is made the same pain staking steps,  perfection is created. When you pair two products like this you get a pure marriage.  Denver and Liely did such that.

Denver and Liely, Their Story -

 After a change meeting at a backstreet Melbourne bar, these two designers found man love in bikes, fine drinks and general appreciation for good thinking.  Their style is a reflection of what their Melbourne home is today – a melting pot of cultures, people and ideas.  Over the many years of experiences, travels and debates, here’s the fruits of Denver and Liely’s labor love.  Man love.  Enjoy. - per the website
  
The Whisky Glass –

Wanting to improve on the drinking experience by exploring the deepest, darkest depths of their whisky collections the Denver & Liely Whisky Glass was born. 

According to D & L, what sets their glass apart is traditionally the tumbler has been see as the vessel of choice for whiskey and or bourbon.  The snifter, relegated the small group of true whiskey lovers.  They looked at both and decided to combine the two.  Being handmade, the Whisky Glass combines the benefits of taste and smell associated with the traditional whiskey snifter with the versatility and style of a classic tumbler.   

The design is wide based to maximize the surface area of the standard measure, and funnels to aromas through the tapered body to the optimally sized opening.  They claim this reveals the whisk(e)y’s full character. 

The D&L whisky glass allows true exploration into depths of your favorite drop.  Neat / on-ice / cocktails – whisky the way you like.



Our Thoughts –

Sure, one could say that you can drink your bourbon / whisk(e)y from any glass or any vessel, but why would you?  You take the time to read reviews and search for that one spirit that you’ve hunted for a season now.  Don’t finish the race by simply choosing anything.  If you care enough about what you drink, you should care enough to have it in the right glass.

A Personal relationship – When you buy something that is handmade, there is a bond created with that company that establishes a relationship.  You know that it wasn’t made by old “soulless” steel, but by a man’s hands that has a vision in mind of what the product is intended for. 

Handmade products do carry a price and carry a longer time to finish.  God didn’t create the Heavens and the Earth in one day.  Craftsmanship takes time. 
 
The glass is beautify made and well crafted.  The balance is near perfect and hard to tell if it’s even slightly off.  There are small air bubbles seen in areas of the glass which is a by-product of the hand-blown process.  The glass sets well in your hand and can be held very comfortably.   With its wide base design, it becomes very deceptive when your pouring your choice of spirit. I found myself thinking I didn’t have enough and in reality, there was plenty. 

The packaging they come in are simple but sets themselves apart from anything I’ve seen before.  You can tell immediately that the same amount of thought and care that was put in the glasses were equally placed in the design of the package.      



Their makers mark is laser etched on the bottom of each glass.  This gives a nice touch and lets you know that you have the real thing.

Overall, it's near the perfect glass to enjoy your whisky or bourbon.  I believe the wide base does help with the surface area and the opening is just the right size to enjoy your spirit through taste and smell.  Like I said, if you care about your spirit, you should care about your vessel.  

Price $50.00 AUD – Yes, that’s Australian currency

Available through http://www.denverandliely.com/




Check out our store  - Bluegrass Bourbon Company

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

A Unique Tasting Experience - Review of the Sagaform Rocking Whiskey Glass


The Sagaform Rocking Whiskey Glass is the first of a few upcoming whiskey/bourbon glasses that I will be reviewing in the weeks to come.

In order to fully enjoy the characteristics of bourbon, a good glass must first be chosen.  Sure, any glass will do but glasses specifically made and designed  for bourbon tasting will help make one's experience more memorable.

Starting off with my personal belief of what one should do before reviewing anything is one must learn and understand its creator to fully grasp the product or creation and why it was made.

The company's philosophy and meaning behind Sagaform is as followed per their website:

 Joyful, innovative gifts for the kitchen and the set table.  Indoors and outdoors.  Joyful gifts for friends or family, or to spoil yourself with.  Sagaform wants its brand and product range to be the obvious gift choice for Saturday nights' dinner hosts, or the new neighbor you want to welcome to the neighborhood, or yourself when you want to brighten your own day.

When reviewing the rocking whiskey glass, I kept all of this in mind.

The bourbon that was chosen to review the rocking glass was Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength OESQ, 54.7% ALC/VOL: 20% rye mashbill / floral essence.  This bourbon has one of the highest complexities any bourbon could offer.  
      
The method of swirling allows oxygen to get into the liquid and evaporation to begin.  This is important as the bourbon has been trapped in a cask or a bottle for a lot of its life until this point.  This will reveal the characteristics of the drink.  Swirling your bourbon, placing your nose just above the rim of the glass and savor the aromas.  Some say you should open your mouth slightly and breathe gently through your mouth and nose at the same time.  Many distillery tours will teach you this method.  I agree, but also suggest trying a number of different methods to get a full experience.  Experience the aroma more than once.

Adding water or ice will effect the complexity of the bourbon.  You should try it multiple ways.  Neat, or natural state then add a drop of purified water, which will help release the locked flavors and complexity within the bourbon.  This is also very true to higher alcohol level or "cask" strength bourbons. 

                                      My take on the Science Behind the Rocking Glass Design
 
When one twirls or swirls a glass, the sugar in the bourbon helps stick the liquor to the walls coating the sides (legs), which then allows for more oxygen to enter the surface of the bourbon.  By doing so, this releases the aroma of the embedded spices, flavors, and unique characteristics the bourbon has to offer.  The Sagaform's design allows this principle to occur.  Instead of the glass being in a state of zero movement until one picks it up, it is free to move on the table when laid to rest or by a simple touch.  I truly feel this design is more then just a "gimmick" or a novelty design.  By simply using this glass, you feel it was made for a purpose.  Going back to Sagaform's philosophy statement, this glass gives one a joyful feeling through innovative design.  With everyone who I shared the rocking glass with, the design and movement put a smile on each face.  If your're sharing a special bourbon with someone, why not  complement it with a unique glass?

Sagaform set out to place themselves apart from the normal design and they did so with the rocking whiskey glass.  If you're looking for something out of the norm to either amplify your enjoyment of a good bourbon, I highly suggest picking up a set of the Sagaform rocking whiskey glasses.







Company Website:
Sagaform

Bar Whiskey Glasses, rounded base, 6 - pack
Glass
Art. No: 5015280
Size: 20 cl or 3/4-Ounces
Type of pack: Gift-box
Retail Cost 24.99 - $57.11

Can be purchased through Amazon or other authorized dealers