A Glencairn is a small, tulip-shaped whisky tasting glass on a short pedestal base, designed specifically for nosing and tasting Scotch and other whiskies. The shape concentrates aroma at the rim for evaluation, and the short stem lets the glass sit stable on a tasting table. Bartenders and whisky experts use Glencairns for serious tasting flights. For everyday whisky drinking, a lowball works fine. Glassique Cadeau tasting glasses include Glencairn-style copitas and stemless tasting variants, gift-ready in our signature box.

To taste whiskey properly: pour 1–1.5 oz into a Glencairn or tulip tasting glass. Hold the glass by the stem to avoid warming the spirit. Swirl gently to release aroma. Bring the rim to your nose with your mouth slightly open and inhale slowly. Sip a small amount and let it coat your tongue before swallowing. Add a few drops of water to release additional aromatic compounds (water unlocks flavours hidden by alcohol). Take notes – each whisky reveals different layers with each sip.

A tequila tasting glass – also called a copita or caballito – is a small, stemmed or stemless tulip-shaped glass designed for sipping high-quality tequila and mezcal. The tulip shape concentrates aroma at the rim, letting the agave character come through. Tequila tasting glasses range from 2–4 oz and serve blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequilas, plus mezcal (in copitas specifically). Glassique Cadeau tequila tasting glasses are hand-blown lead-free crystal in 4 oz copita-style sets.

A mezcal copita is a small (2–4 oz), often clay or crystal sipping cup designed for tasting mezcal – the agave spirit from Oaxaca, Mexico. Traditional copitas are made from black clay; modern crystal copitas serve the same purpose with cleaner aromatic display. The small size reflects mezcal's intensity: it's a sipping spirit, not a shooting one. Glassique Cadeau crystal mezcal copitas are hand-blown lead-free crystal, gift-ready in our signature box. The mezcal-collector's perfect gift.

A snifter glass – also called a brandy snifter or balloon glass – is a short-stemmed glass with a wide, rounded bowl that tapers inward toward the rim. The shape is designed for sipping spirits like brandy, cognac, Armagnac, aged rum, and port. The wide bowl gives the spirit room to open and concentrates aroma; the tapered rim holds the aroma where the nose meets the pour. The short stem and weighted base let you cradle the glass in your palm to warm the spirit. Glassique Cadeau snifters are hand-blown lead-free crystal, gift-ready in our signature box.

Glassique Cadeau hand-blown lead-free crystal glasses are dishwasher safe on a gentle, low-temperature cycle – but hand washing is the safer long-term choice for keeping rims smooth and crystal clarity intact. Use warm water and a mild detergent, avoid extreme temperature changes (never put a frozen glass into a hot wash), and air-dry on a soft cloth. For sets with gold rims, painted detail, or hand-cut crystal – the Octagonal Gold-Rim Coupes and the Art Deco Speakeasy Lowballs in particular – hand wash only to preserve the finish.

Yes – lead-free crystal is the modern standard for premium glassware and is safe for everyday use with any beverage. Traditional lead crystal contained up to 32% lead oxide, which improved clarity and weight but could leach trace lead into spirits stored long-term in decanters. Lead-free crystal (sometimes called crystalline or potassium-zinc crystal) uses barium, zinc, or potassium oxides instead, delivering the same brilliance, weight, and ring without the safety concern. Every Glassique Cadeau glass is hand-blown from lead-free crystal and tested to comply with FDA and EU food-contact standards.

Yes – every Glassique Cadeau set ships in our signature gift box, ready to wow at unboxing. The box is structured, branded, and printed with the cocktail recipe for the glass inside (an Old Fashioned recipe with our lowballs, a French 75 with our coupes, a classic Martini with our martini glasses). No additional gift wrap needed. For weddings, housewarmings, engagements, anniversaries, and birthdays, every set is already presentation-ready straight out of the shipping carton.

Yes – Glassique Cadeau offers free standard shipping on every U.S. order over $89. Most sets ship the next business day from our warehouse, with delivery in 3-6 business days. Every shipment is packed with reinforced padding and tracked end-to-end, and any breakage in transit is replaced free of charge. Expedited shipping is available at checkout for time-sensitive gifts (weddings, milestone anniversaries, holiday deadlines).

Hand wash Glassique Cadeau crystal glasses in warm water with a mild detergent, then air-dry upside down on a soft cloth or stemware rack to prevent water spots. Avoid extreme temperature changes – never pour ice into a hot-from-the-dishwasher glass or hot liquid into a refrigerated one, since thermal shock can crack crystal. Store stemware upright (not on the rim) to protect the lip. For gold-rimmed, painted, or hand-cut sets, hand wash only. Lead-free crystal is durable, but it rewards gentle handling – every glass is hand-blown, so each one is unique.