New technologies for tasting Scotch are rare, but leave it to the mad scientists at Smokehead to introduce just that! Smokehead has always been at the cutting edge of Scotch evolution with its expansive casking experimentation and willingness to push Scotch whisky to its limits. So, I was not surprised when I learned about the “smoke mask.” As edgy as it is functional, the Smokeahead Smoke Glass incorporates a unique functionality. Neither “pretty” nor “subtle,” it’s a tour-de-force of bold design, partly derived from customer input.
When Smokehead set out to rethink Scotch drinking, they challenged glass artist Elliot Walker to create something different, much like the whisky. Walker produced three different styles of glasses, and SMokehead fans were allowed to vote for the one they believed most represented the Smokehead concept. The Smoke Mask won. Crafted from hand-blown black glass, shaped like an old aviator’s oxygen mask and adorned with Walker’s representation of the Smokehead shull logo, each glass is an individual, but shares a common thread of aromatic utility.
Although the design loses the ability to visualize color and viscosity, it is replaced by a dramatic improvement in aromatic appreciation. The shape covers the mouth and nose, immersing the face in the esters of the whisky. It literally buries you in the aromas and flavors of whatever you’re drinking. It’s not a “cheap” experience. The glass is only available on the Smokehead website, selling for approximately $150 each. However, the bold price reflects the hand-made craftsmanship shaping each unique glass, intended for discerning imbibers who can afford a good quality Scotch and a new way to enjoy it.
I was grateful for the opportunity to try this new tasting experience, but I want to be “crystal” clear (pun intended). Receiving the glas gratis in no way impacted my review. In fact, I was skeptical at first, initially thinking that $150 for a tasting glass was outrageous – until I tried it. I started my experimentation with three expressions from Smokehead: the Flagship, Rum Rebel, and High Voltage. I set up side-by-side samples: one in my trusty Glencairn nosing glass and one in the Smoke Mask. There was no comparison – the Smoke Glass “smoked” the Glencairn in overall appreciation of the aroma and, by extension, the taste. The samples in the smoke glass were dramatically more intense than in the Glencairn. The aromas lasted longer, the flavors were more pronounced, and the overall experience was more satisfying. I will admit that I miss “looking” at the whisky, but after all, most people want to sniff and drink their spirits, not stare at them. So, game Smoke Mask.
As a professional taster, I still need my Glencairn glass to assess samples visually. But now, I pour twice – one in the Glencairn and one in the Smoke Glass. It has become integral to my review process, and I can’t recommend it enough. But when it comes to recreational sampling, it’s the Smoke Glass all the way. If you’re looking for a product to enhance your spirits journey, the Smoke Glass fills the bill no matter what spirit you prefer. And if you’re looking for a bold gift for that discerning imbiber in your life, you can’t do much better!
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