For those who are unfamiliar, think of Pappy Van Winkle as the pinnacle of bourbon royalty. The liquid has roots that can be traced all the way back to the late 1800s, an imminent whiskey bust, and three generations of “Van Winkle” men. Today, states across the country host lotteries around the whiskey, and finding a “Van Winkle” whiskey at any level (or age) is probably going to cost you a small fortune.
In fact the distillery actually only releases about 7,000 cases of its coveted “Pappy Van Winkle” juice every year. That amounts to roughly 84,000 bottles, so good luck getting your hands on one.
However, for those who have (or are comfortable working their way up to the whiskey with a few other brands) — are you sure you have the proper glassware?
While yes you can pour your favorite whiskey into a rocks glass or use it to coat the warmest parts of your hot toddy, true imbibers know that real whiskey tasting calls for real glassware. That’s why every top-shelf bourbon fan needs a snifter glass, such as one of these crystal whiskey snifter glasses by Spiegelau.
Made with elegant, lead-free crystal these glasses are designed to amplify the careful aromas and flavor profiles in your whiskey, so you can rest assured you’ll never miss a tasting note again. Completely dishwasher safe, and able to fit up to 9.5 ounces, each piece is this four glass set will instantly elevate your experience, and evoke the telltale ambiance of a true craft whiskey tasting.
And if you’re still not sold on why you need to up your glassware, remember that some fans have gone as far as to pay $145 for a mere shot of Pappy — and without the proper glass you could consider that $145 down the drain.