So, you’ve decided to drink whiskey. Congratulations on this excellent life choice. Now you’re faced with the vessel. You might be tempted to grab that coffee mug with a chipped rim or, heaven forbid, a plastic cup from last weekend’s barbecue. Please don’t. Let’s talk about the tumbler, the workhorse of the whiskey world. It’s the glass you see in movies when a troubled detective is pondering his next bad decision.

Definition

A tumbler, often called a rocks glass or an Old Fashioned glass, is a short, sturdy glass with a wide mouth and a thick, heavy base. It’s the kind of glass that feels substantial in your hand, like it could survive a drop or a particularly enthusiastic “cheers.” Unlike its delicate, nosing-glass cousins, the tumbler isn’t built for delicately sniffing out every last note of dried fig. It’s built for drinking.

Why does it matter?

Frankly, if you’re just looking to get some whiskey into your face, it doesn’t. But if you care even a little about the experience, the glass matters. The tumbler’s wide opening is great for adding a large ice cube (or several small, sad ones if that’s all you have) and for building cocktails directly in the glass. However, that same wide opening lets all the aromas—the very soul of the whiskey—escape into the atmosphere before they reach your nose. It prioritizes function and feel over olfactory analysis. It’s the perfect glass for a casual pour, a whiskey on the rocks, or a classic cocktail. It’s uncomplicated, just like your drink should be sometimes.

How OAKR helps

You might be using a tumbler because you’re not trying to write a dissertation on the faint scent of leather in your bourbon. You just want to enjoy a good drink. That’s where OAKR comes in. We get that everyone’s palate is different. One person’s “bold oak” is another’s “subtle vanilla.” The OAKR app cuts through the noise by aggregating tasting data from our blind tasting panelists, giving you a clear picture of a spirit’s flavor profile before you even open the bottle. We do the nerdy sniffing so you can get straight to the satisfying sipping. Explore the app to discover in-depth flavor profiles and get personalized recommendations that fit your taste.