Norlan Whisky Glass Alternatives: What to Buy Instead (and When Not To)

By the VeryWhiskey team · Updated 31 October 2026

The Norlan whisky glass is one of those designs people pick up and turn over in their hands before they've poured a drop. It's feather-light, it's double-walled, and little fins inside send the whisky into a wave when you swirl it. It also costs around A$44 a glass, wants washing by hand, and its maker says to keep ice out of it.

So if you like the idea of a Norlan but something is holding you back, this is our honest take on Norlan glass alternatives: what the Norlan does well, where it frustrates people, and which of the glasses we stock suits the way you actually drink. Prices are in Australian dollars and were checked on 31 October 2026.

On this page

• What the Norlan actually does
• The catch: common complaints
• Norlan alternatives compared
• Six glasses to buy instead
• How to choose
• FAQ

What the Norlan whisky glass actually does

Norlan describes its glass as "a high-performance nosing capsule, silhouetted within a striking modern tumbler". In plain terms: from the outside it looks like a low tumbler, and inside sits a second wall of glass shaped for sniffing and sipping.

Here's what Norlan's own product page says about it:

• Double wall. It's made from borosilicate glass in two layers. Norlan says the gap keeps the whisky's temperature steadier in your hand.
• Aeration fins. Small protrusions inside the bowl create wave-like movement when you swirl. Norlan says they soften ethanol burn and open up aroma.
• Very light. About 125 grams, which Norlan itself calls "very light".
• Small pours. About 175 ml to the rim, with a recommended pour of 20 to 40 ml.
• Made for neat whisky. The specs list ice as "not recommended".

It was designed in 2015 and still has a loyal following. Breaking Bourbon's reviewer found it does help with alcohol burn on high-strength whisky, and one independent side-by-side tasting rated it the best of five glasses for social drinking.

The catch: what people find annoying about the Norlan

None of this makes it a bad glass. It just explains why "glasses like Norlan" is such a common search.

The price. Norlan's Australian site lists the clear glass at A$44 each (sold singly, as at October 2026), so a pair runs close to A$90. The black version costs more. A 2016 Breaking Bourbon review put it at more than three times the price of a Glencairn.

It feels fragile. Two thin walls keep it light, but they don't give it much heft. The same Breaking Bourbon reviewer said it "feels more fragile than I would like it to" and that he'd prefer it a little heavier.

Hand wash only, in practice. Norlan recommends you always hand wash and dry it with a non-abrasive cloth, and keep it out of the freezer, microwave and oven. Fine for a Sunday dram, a chore after a dinner party for eight.

No ice, no stones. Norlan's FAQ says ice or whisky stones can harm the glass. If you like a big cube in your bourbon, that rules it out.

The rim. One comparative tasting found the Norlan's "very thick lip" made it "a little hard to sip from", and Breaking Bourbon found delicate, lower-strength whiskies harder to nose than in a Glencairn.

Norlan alternatives compared

Here's how the Norlan stacks up against the six glasses we sell. Capacities and care notes are what each listing states; where a listing is silent, we say so.

Only the Japanese glass listing confirms it's a single glass (unless the variant says 2pcs). For the others, check the listing for whether the price covers one glass or a set.

What about Glencairn, NEAT and Riedel? These are the other names that come up. The Glencairn is the tulip-shaped tasting glass you'll see at a lot of whisky tastings. The NEAT has a wide, flared rim designed to let alcohol vapour escape. Riedel and Spiegelau make whisky-specific tasting glasses. All three are nosing tools first. We don't stock them, and if critical tasting is your main goal, they're worth a look.

Six whiskey glasses to buy instead of a Norlan

A quick reality check before the cards: none of these has fins or a double wall. What they offer is a lower price, simpler care for some and, for several, room for ice. "Best for" labels are our editorial picks, matched to how people drink.

How to choose a Norlan alternative

Start with how you drink, not with the glass.

Neat or on the rocks?

A neat pour of 20 to 40 ml looks lost in a big tumbler and suits a smaller glass: the Japanese glass, or the tilted glass if you like to swirl. If you drink with ice, you need volume for the cube plus the whisky, and a glass you don't mind clinking. That's the Prism or Patterned glass. For slow-melting ice, look at our ice moulds and whisky stones. Stones chill without diluting, though they won't get a drink as cold as ice.

Nosing glass or tumbler?

A nosing glass narrows towards the rim to gather aroma, which is why Glencairns live at tastings. A tumbler has a wide opening, so aroma escapes faster, but it's easier to hold, easier to wash and better with ice. The Norlan tries to be both. If you mostly sip with friends rather than take tasting notes, a good tumbler will make you just as happy. Our guide to whisky glasses goes deeper on shapes.

One glass or a set?

Glasses tend to get used in pairs, so buy two. Only the Japanese glass listing confirms a single glass (or a 2pcs set); for the others, check the listing before you order. If it's a present, our Christmas gifts for whisky lovers guide pairs these glasses with stones, moulds and decanters.

Norlan glass FAQ

Is the Norlan glass worth it?

It is if you mostly drink neat, enjoy high-strength whisky and don't mind hand washing. It's a well-made design that a lot of drinkers love. It's less worth it if you drink on ice, want something sturdy for everyday use, or are buying several: at around A$44 a glass in Australia, a set adds up fast.

Does glass shape change whisky taste?

It changes what you smell, and smell does much of the work in tasting. A narrow rim concentrates aroma, while a wide rim lets more alcohol vapour escape, which can make a strong whisky feel softer on the nose. The whisky itself doesn't change, but how you perceive it can.

Glencairn vs Norlan: which is better?

For critical tasting, reviewers who've compared the two side by side have tended to prefer the Glencairn: its tulip shape gathers aroma, and it costs far less. The Norlan is often preferred for relaxed, social sipping and for taming high-strength whisky. Plenty of people own both.

Can you put ice in a Norlan glass?

Norlan doesn't recommend it. Its FAQ says ice or whisky stones can harm the glass. If you drink on the rocks, use a sturdier tumbler with room for a large cube.

Are VeryWhiskey glasses sold singly or in sets?

The Japanese Whisky Glass is a single glass unless the variant says 2pcs. The other glass listings don't say, so check the product page before you order.

Keep reading: our guide to whisky glasses, Christmas gifts for whisky lovers, or browse all six glasses.