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September 8th, 2025
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7 Custom Whiskey Glasses Perfect For Branding
“Whiskey, like a beautiful woman, demands appreciation. You gaze first, then it’s time to drink.” — Haruki Murakami
t’s true!
People take the first sip of whiskey with their eyes. According to studies by The Association of Psychology Science, it takes about 4 seconds for them to be impressed or let down. I call it the gaze of judgment ;)
Why do they do it? Because they savor the look of the drink as much as the taste. That’s why presentation is everything. It all starts with having the best whiskey glasses.
They bring every drink to life and give it: Shape, Flavor, Attitude, Seductiveness
But bar whiskey glasses are more than just looks. They have the power to:
- Heighten the aroma
- Bring out full-flavor
- Intensify sweet and sour notes
For example, liquor drinks like Rob Roys and Bourbon Blackberry Cocktails taste way better in the right whiskey glass ;)
So, what’s the point of all this?
Whether you’re stocking your bar with branded glassware or just promoting your brand, whiskey glasses are promotional fire.
They’re worthy of your logo, and then some!
Let’s not dillydally any longer. It’s time to highlight the best ones!
Best Personalized Whiskey Glasses
Whiskey Tumblers
Part Gentleman, Part Badass
First off, don’t be confused! You might’ve heard them called by these names too —
- Old Fashioned
- Lowball Glass
- Rocks Glass
They’re all nicknames for whiskey tumblers! These versatile beauties are the most popular whiskey glasses for branding.
They have a wide bowl and thick base —perfect for serving whiskey neat or on the rocks. There’s also plenty of room for swirling and kicking up aroma too!
Tumblers have a classic aesthetic that appeals to blue collars and fancy pants alike. Whether you’re a lumberjack or a movie star, it looks and feels right in your hand.
Cool fact —There’s a scene in The Avengers movie where Tony Starks drinks bourbon from a killer tumbler glass made of crystal.
But anyway, back to reality ;)
Or maybe you wanna show employees and top-tier clients you appreciate them?
These Riedel brand whiskey tumblers are an epic way to let them know.
Also, real quick —here’s a list of whiskey drinks perfect for glass tumblers. Check them out and see the possibilities!
The Glencairn
Smooth, Classy & SexyIn my opinion, these are the coolest liquor glasses in existence. They didn’t get popular until the year 2000, but now they’re the gold standard in whiskey glassware.
They even won the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2006. Glencairn glasses are also endorsed by the Scotch Whiskey Association.
Why are they so revered? Simple. The shape of the glass is masterful.
They have bulbous bodies that let whiskey breathe. And their flared, narrow opening captures and releases the full aroma —whiskey’s bouquet. That’s why they’re perfect for slow sipping and savoring.
They’re also known for having extremely smooth curves.
That’s right, Glencairn glasses are captivating at a glance and smoother than a baby’s ass. They’re the perfect glass for whiskey-tasting events.
Here are some beautiful Glencairn glasses for whiskey in bulk you can customize with your logo.
Or if you’re gifting glassware to just a few clients, here’s a nice personalized Glencairn glasses set they just might love.
Neat Whiskey Glasses
In 2002, a glass artist named George Manska forgot to wash his whiskey glasses. So he drank bourbon from a “defective” glass he’d made. He quickly realized the shape of the glass unlocked more smell and taste. And bam —the NEAT glass was born.
Oh, and to clear up any confusion —
NEAT stands for naturally engineered aroma technology. It’s not a glass created just for whiskey neats ;)
Neat whiskey glasses have an extra-bulbous body for a gorgeous view of the bourbon and more breathability.
They’re popular glasses for home bars because they look good on display. Kinda like a fancy vase, you can drink from ;)
But the real mojo is in their extra-wide tulip rim. It lets whiskey lovers get their noses closer, so more fatty ethyl esters are inhaled.
Their wide shape also funnels ethanol away from the nostrils for less alcohol burn.
So what does it all mean?
You get a glass that brings out the best in dark liquor and your brand! They’re perfect for bars, hotels, restaurants and any business looking to advertise on killer barware.
- Try these promotional neat glasses if you’re looking for quality in bulk.
- Also, this 2-piece set of whiskey neat glasses is perfect for corporate gifting.
Shot Glasses
Part Gunslinger, Part Gentleman
Ever wonder how shot glasses got their name?
Back in the Old West, broke cowboys would trade the bartender a single bullet for one good swallow of whiskey. It was served in a mini tin glass.
Pretty crazy, I know!
Today, bars don’t accept bullets as payment. But they still have shot glasses!
They’re associated with good times and celebrating. Whether it’s a bachelor party or a birthday
night out, the cries will come —
“Shots all around! Double shots! Body shots!”
They give your brand an element of excitement and energy. They’re perfect promo items for trade shows, giveaways and expo events.
There are several different styles of shot glasses —
Standard Shot Glass
Tall Shot Glass
Pony Shot Glass
Cheaters Shot Glass
Fluted Shot Glass
They’re great for whiskey like Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam, but people use them for all types of liquor —light and dark. Vodka, Tequila and Jagermeister are also fan favorites!
Here are some of my favorite shot glasses for imprint —
These standard-size shot glasses come with your logo and are available in bulk.
And here’s a really cool Lexington Shooter Glass if you’re looking for something a little taller.
Last but not least, nightclubs will love these personalized glow-in-the-dark shot glasses.
Highball Glass
Ice, Ice Baby
Meet the tall, cool older brother of the whiskey tumbler ;) These glasses are made for on-the-rocks whiskey drinks like Long Island Iced Tea, and of course the famous drink itself —The Highball.
What’s a highball drink? It’s scotch whiskey & soda water on the rocks, of course ;)
Highball glasses are tall and narrow for two reasons —
- To keep ice stacked high & lock in the cold
- To preserve soda carbonation for cocktails & mixed drinks
They’re known for keeping carbonated cocktails cold and bubbly. That’s why people love them for drinks mixed with soda or sparkling wine.
They’re not just for dark liquor like whiskey! Here are few classic drinks served in classic highball glasses —
- Rum & Coke
- Tom Collins
- Mojito
Let’s take a look at my favorite highball glasses for branding —
- Check out these highball glasses customizable with your logo.
- If you want some that come in full-color digital print, these imprinted highball glasses are your huckleberry.
- Or, check out this Riedel brand highball glass for seasonal gifting.
The Tulip Glass
Master of Nuances
Some call them cousins of the Glencairn. I just call them classy ;)
These glasses have the same basic shape as a Glencairn but curve slightly outward in the middle. The rim is also a little flared, like a tulip, to release full aroma.
Their shape is perfect for capturing and releasing subtle flavors of warm whisky, like brandy. But most people cherish them for giving single malt whiskey, like scotch, 360 degrees of taste.
These glasses have an upscale appeal, and can even double as wine or beer glasses.
Here are some of the best tulip whiskey glasses for branding —
- Snag these beautiful personalized tulip glasses on a budget.
- And here are some elegant tulip snifter glasses in a set, perfect for corporate gifting.
- Now it’s time to talk about the last bad boy on my list!
Norlan Whiskey Glasses
Double-Walled Beauties
These whiskey-tasting glasses were created by master distiller Jim McEwan. And they’re pretty mesmerizing. Norlan glasses are unique because they look like a glass within a glass.
But looks aren’t all they bring to the table.
Their double-walled design enhances the flavor and color of whiskey and its superior aeration ignites the full aroma.
That’s why they’re revered as the best nosing and tasting glasses, perfect for scotch, bourbon, rye, Canadian and Japanese whiskey.
That’s a lot of reasons to make them part of your promotional arsenal.
- Here’s the best place to order Norlan whiskey glasses for corporate gifting.
- If you want one that’s custom engraved with your logo, that’s an option!
Okay, I’ve put a spotlight on the best liquor glasses for promo and gifting, it’s time to answer some basic questions about whiskey glasses —
FAQ About Custom Whiskey Glasses
-
Why do whiskey glasses have a thick base?
It limits heat transfer from the drinker’s hand. That’s to keep the drink at the right temperature. The thick bottom keeps drinks cold or at room temperature —depending on the drink.
-
Is whiskey the same thing as bourbon?
As far as glasses go, they’re all interchangeable —makes no difference!
But to be considered bourbon, whiskey should have at least 51% corn content. Scotch whiskey, on the other hand, is made from malted barley and can only be made in Scotland.
-
What are the best custom bar glasses for trade shows?
They’re all great for expos, trade shows and giveaway events. But, Glencairn glasses and rocks glasses are the slight favorites. They strike a nice balance between beauty and likability that gets people’s attention. These glasses also have plenty of room for your logo.
-
How are logos imprinted on whiskey glasses?
Promo whiskey glasses are custom engraved with a laser to advertise your brand at your establishment or promo events. Certain shot glasses can be imprinted with ink.
-
Does whiskey really taste different depending on the glass?
Yes. Each glass is unique and delivers a pinpoint taste specific to that glass’s shape. For example, a lowball glass gives you a nice overall taste and aroma. But a tulip glass may sharpen aspects of the flavor and aroma, for a slightly different experience.
FINAL
THOUGHTS
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Well, it’s that part of the article where I’ve been writing for so long that I need to go have a nice whiskey drink ;) Kidding! But seriously, I’m about to go enjoy a nice whiskey sour from my home highball glass —just to take the edge off.
I hope you picked up some nuggets of whiskey glass wisdom. And hopefully, you’ll decide to make them part of your advertising arsenal! Remember, they’re bad boys that do good things for your brand ;)
Starquix are experts on all things printed
and
promotional. Let our team help you select awesome promotional swag today!
September 8th, 2025
6 Minute Read
SHARE:
