Glencairn Crystal -- The Studio
Glencairn Crystal is a family business based in East Kilbride, Scotland that specializes in glassware, stemware,
trophies, awards and decanters. While Glencairn Crystal was well known for glass trophies in the past, they really made noise in the fine
beverage world with the release of their Glencairn Scotch Whiskey Glass. Glencairn also offers a number of whiskey decanters that
offer extraordinary design and a reasonable price point. The company was established over 25 years ago and has grown to become
one of the UK's premium crystal and glassware providers for the corporate and incentives industry.
The Glencairn Glass
Interestingly, there were a number of reasons why this Scottish studio achieved this level of success. One key decision that
Glencairn made early in the process was they set up scalable distribution through a larger glass manufacturer and distributor. Glencairn Crystal’s
distribution through Stolzle allowed them to quickly scale up and
meet the surprisingly strong demand for their product. The distribution would not have mattered however, if the glass didn’t work. The designers
of the Glencairn Glass worked closely with master blenders from some of the world’s best whiskey distillers to ensure that the glass,
did indeed, work well. Consequently, the design process closely matched the needs of whiskey professionals and enthusiasts. The end
product was as close to an ideal whiskey glass as the fine beverage world has ever seen. When the Glencairn Glass was released,
it was a critical and popular success. Whiskey enthusiasts immediately gravitated to the Glencairn Glass and purchased more than 5 million of them.
It earned the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2006 and has become the de facto choice for nosing and tasting fine scotch and whiskey
all around the world.
Glencairn made an important decision early in the process of designing the glass to bring in master blenders from some of the world’s best whiskey distillers. Consequently, there was little guessing involved in the design process and the product that emerged was an instant success. The end product was as close to an ideal whiskey glass as the fine beverage world has ever seen.
Glencairn made an important decision early in the process of designing the glass to bring in master blenders from some of the world’s best whiskey distillers. Consequently, there was little guessing involved in the design process and the product that emerged was an instant success. The end product was as close to an ideal whiskey glass as the fine beverage world has ever seen.
