Whiskey Decanters: Shapes, Uses And More

There are many different shapes and sizes when it comes to whiskey decanters. There is the square decanter style that is made of crystal or cut glass and comes with a stopper. Traditionally, liquors are served from this shape and style of decanters.

Another shape and style are rounded decanters which come in various shapes of round and various sizes with a spout. They are perfect for aerating and decanting wine from the bottle directly to the glass or a serving vessel.

Decanters are used for serving brandy, cognac or whiskey and are traditionally made from cut lead crystal. This style offers a way for fine liquor to be served with class and sophistication, even the less expensive brands! When served from a decanter that has a silver hanging label, it makes the contents look even more elegant. Unlike wine, there isn’t a need to decant and open up liquors. As such, when liquors are poured from a decanter, it is definitely nothing more than for sophistication.

If you are considering the use of decanters for storing your liquor or wine for a long time, it is recommended to avoid decanters made of crystal due to health concerns. Instead of lead, the decanters made today are made from crystal or glass and metal oxides. Still, no matter how beautiful a decanter may be, many people still prefer to pour their liquor from the bottle so they can see the label and compare one brand with another. But the beauty, glamor, and nostalgia are still in demand.

There are two reasons that people decant their wines. The first reason being that there is sometimes sediment in a bottle of wine and decanting wine allows sorts that sediment. The other reason that wine is decanted is to let it breathe and bring the flavor out.

Which Style Should You Choose?

Some people prefer decanters with a flat, wide bottom and a large opening which allows the contents to aerate. There are decanters that have a “duck” style opening that minimizes spillage. The decanter that is a plain vase style can do the same job but at a much less expense. Another type of decanter is one with a funnel and strainer. This is perfect for catching that unwanted sediment.

Many people don’t care for a decanter at all. They feel that it is a waste of the precious liquor or wine. At the end of the day, the choice is a personal one and you may want to try several different types until you find one you like … or decide you don’t like them.

The Choice Not To Decant

When the decision was made to sell a scotch whiskey that had been aged for over 60 years, it was sold in distinctive decanters. Each bottle sold anywhere from six-thousand to nine-thousand. It was determined by an employee that because of the 40 percent alcohol contained in each bottle, decanting it would not change the taste.

The Choice To Decant

The beauty of a decanter is not the only reason you want to consider decanting. While they do lend a sense of class and elegance, they are also more stable than the whiskey flasks and bottles. The typical whiskey bottle is tall and usually thin making them easy to spill. This is why decanters were popular on ships. As ships sailed into rough waters, the boat would wobble and the decanters of liquor and whiskey wouldn’t spill.

Decanters From The Old Days

It was back in 1600 England, George Ravens discovered crystal. Prior to that discovery, wine decanters had always been made out of glass or from lead crystal. The beauty they provided then is what makes them desirable today as much for their intended use as for the beauty they provide.

Antique decanters are often found in art museums that come from England and Ireland. It is there that the hand-engraved and hand-blown decanters were first put to use by the rich. They were as much a prized possession then as diamond are today as symbols of wealth and high society status.