The Best Whisky Decanters: All You Need to Know
Alcohol is one of the most consumed liquids in the world right now.
It is no surprise when we think about daily events that demand the complementary presence of a beer, whiskey or wine.
Sometimes served in glasses, and other times as a bottle if the hosts want to show off the quality and price. However, one product that is usually left unbothered except in movies and TV shows is a whiskey decanter.
We have formulated an extensive guide on whisky decanters that could help you learn all the necessary details before purchasing. Keep reading.
What is a Whisky Decanter?
A whisky decanter is an ornamental piece typically made out of glassware or crystal that can be used to hold wine and liquor. It serves as an aesthetic addition to your house, amplifying the class and elegance of your abode.
If you’re someone who gets a lot of visitors, such as family and friends, investing in a whisky decanter could be the way to go. Or, if you drink alone, you can empty the bottle in a decanter and sip it whenever needed (Johnny English style).
4 Benefits of Using a Whisky Decanter
Now that we know what a decanter is let’s find out what does it have to offer. Is it simply an added expense, or does it justify its worth in terms of practicality?
Here are a few benefits of a whisky decanter:
1. Aesthetic Appeal
No one can deny the aesthetic appeal and the level of sophistication a decanter adds to your alcohol-serving toolkit.
Most decanters are see-through to accentuate the colour of the liquid for the mental relief of people who are about to drink from the vessel. Plus, you can display them anywhere in the house, and they will only add to the pleasantness of the general room décor.
2. Neutral Nature
Another slightly less talked about the benefit of whisky decanters is that it eliminates the need for you to show off the bottle. And since decanters make the alcohol tastes better, your guests will raise no objections even if you have purchased an inexpensive bottle.
The neutral nature of whisky decanters makes them perfect for a gathering where potential judgement can be an issue.
3. Decantation
As we all know, the decantation of spirits makes them taste better.
Specifically not whisky, you can decant red wine to release its aroma and improve the drinking experience. In general, decanters bring the best taste out of most spirits for you to enjoy the intended experience.
4. Aeration
Aeration is the process of when you expose an alcohol product to open air to ‘let it breathe’. This practice is fairly common with wine as it can bring out its true aromatic properties. However, whisky and vodka are stable liquids that do not need prolonged exposure to air. Instead, they can go stale if you leave them out in the open for an extended period.
So due to the smartly designed nature of a decanter, the free space between the decanter consists of air. This air is just enough for whisky and vodka to aerate themselves enough to keep true taste and effect.
Our Top Whisky Decanter Picks
Image
Product
Features
Recommended Products
- Classy traditional design
- Comes with four glasses
- Dishwasher safe
- A perfect gift
- Comes with a wooden table and glasses
- Pleasing container design
- Fairly large
- Beautiful design
- Air-tight stopper
- Appealing globe shape
- Durable stand
- Air-tight seal
An Indepth Look At Whisky Decanters
Brilliant - Ashford Lead-Free Crystal 5 Piece Whisky Set
Features
Rating
Price
Brilliant - Ashford Lead-Free Crystal 5 Piece Whisky Set Review
This crystal whisky decanter set by Brilliant is a reminiscence of classic movies and TV shows that aired long ago on black and white motion pictures. The familiar diamond cutting all over the decanter and glasses adds to the nostalgia of traditional drink holders.
We can’t deny, it exudes luxury in even normal drinking sessions with your friends or family. Done drinking? Throw it in the dishwasher for optimum cleanup.
It is fairly heavy, which is a good sign for its robustness and quality.
Bizrate Old Fashioned Decanter & Whiskey Glasses Set
Features
Rating
Price
- A perfect gift
- Comes with a wooden table and glasses
- Pleasing container design
Bizrate Old Fashioned Decanter & Whiskey Glasses Set Review
Bizrate offers its contribution to the traditional style of whisky decanters by introducing their whiskey glass bottle combo. If you’re looking for a gift for someone, this might be the perfect choice for you. It comes pre-prepared in gift packaging, so you won’t need to wrap it again.
Interestingly, this whisky decanter set comes with a glass, wooden tray to hold the decanter and glasses inside. The tray allows you to keep your table or shelf free of any spots and eliminates the need for coasters.
This decanter can hold up to 700ml of alcohol, optimum for most sittings.
BarCraft Cut Glass Whisky and Brandy Decanter
Features
Rating
Price
BarCraft Cut Glass Whisky and Brandy Decanter Review
This unique decanter by BarCraft takes the win from us. It is very well designed, and the hourglass shape makes it stand out from regular whisky decanters. Not only is it unique, but it also looks incredibly appealing to the eye, hence improving the general nuance of your household.
Interestingly, it comes with a vacuum-tight stopper with a silicone seal placed on top of the bottle that doesn’t let any air inside. Exposure to air particles can ruin the quality of your prized alcohol, and of course, you wouldn’t want that to happen.
This decanter can hold up to one litre of alcohol, which means you can pour an entire bottle into it without worries. The high-quality glass construction makes it easy to clean, and manufacturers provide a 12-month guarantee against the purchase of the product.
Whiskey Decanter by HAITRAL
Features
Rating
Price
Whiskey Decanter by HAITRAL Review
The last one on our list is a whisky decanter by HAITRAL that stands out from the other products we mentioned in this article. This decanter comes in a globe shape with the map of the world etched into the glass.
The included wooden stand supports the decanter by attaching itself to each pole.
And it’s not just aesthetics. This decanter can hold 1000ml of liquor to fit the needs of even larger groups such as parties, etc. Additionally, it comes with an air-tight seal to preserve the original taste and smell of your alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whisky Decanters
How long does whisky last in a decanter?
A decanter with an air-tight seal can preserve the quality of spirit inside, whether it’s whisky, vodka or any other alcoholic beverage.
Such containers make the whisky last for as long as it would stay good in its original bottle. If you’re planning on keeping your whiskey good for years, it is wise to invest in a decanter with an air-tight seal. Else don’t be afraid of getting one with a loose or no stopper to fill it every day for your daily needs.
Where can I buy a whisky decanter?
Whiskey decanters are fairly common, and you can get them from many online stores such as Amazon. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a stroll to your nearest glassware shop and pick one of your favourite decanter whiskey combos.
What does a decanter do to whisky?
In a sentence, decanter increases the general aesthetic of the whiskey drinking experience. There are other possible benefits too of using a decanter, but the primary reason would always be that it just looks good.
Does whisky lose flavour in a decanter?
Like with prosecco or wine, Whisky loses its flavour once you expose it to direct air or sunlight. If your decanter comes with an air-tight seal, you can preserve your whisky for years. Even with a loose stopper, your whiskey will last months. However, it is always a good idea to keep the stopper in place when you aren’t pouring from the decanter.
Should you wash a whisky decanter?
Yes. It would be best if you regularly washed your decanter to reduce permanent stains and preserve the general appeal of the vessel. Wash it with antiseptic soap, and rinse it thoroughly. Leave it upside down on a flat surface, so the leftover water finds its way out.
Whisky Decanter Buying Guide
So we’re familiar with the general idea of a whisky decanter now.
If you feel like a potential buyer of this glassware, you need more information to pick out the one that best serves your purpose.
Therefore, we have formulated this information section to help you understand the things you need to keep in mind before buying a whisky decanter. Here they are:
Quality of Glass or Crystal
As you are purchasing the decanter as a long term investment, it is a great idea to make sure that you buy one that is sturdy and durable.
You’ll use a decanter frequently, sometimes multiple times a day, with different people handling it to their strengths.
The decanter can slip or fall and crack itself, rendering it useless. You can avoid this mishap by purchasing one with durable glass that resists cracks, scratches and doesn’t break easily.
Size of the Decanter
Another important factor to consider is the general size of the decanter. It entirely depends on your drinking needs, and luckily, there’s a decanter available in every size.
If you’re looking for your daily dose of whiskey, opting to buy a smaller decanter would be ideal. However, if you’re hosting a party, then you know only a large decanter would do the job.
Proper Sealed Mechanism
As we mentioned, prolonged air exposure to alcohol makes it taste stale, and the product loses many of its key qualities. Most decanters come with an air-tight seal that encapsulates the bottle’s neck to slow down oxidation.
But some variants leave the top open because of their intended-one day usage. So make sure you choose the one that would help you in your drinking endeavours.
Opt for Lead-free
Many whiskey decanters have lead in their sealing cap. This lead can seep into the whisky to contaminate its taste. So it is always a good idea to choose a decanter that comes with a lead-free crystal.
Pricing
And lastly, of course, make sure you’re paying for a decanter that fits your needs and budget equally well.
Decanter pricing can range from £200 to several thousand dollars, so you need to choose a product that would bring the desired class to your humble abode.