Originally Posted On: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethkarmel/2025/03/25/does-the-whiskey-make-the-glass-or-the-glass-make-the-whiskey/
Does The Whiskey Make The Glass Or The Glass Make The Whiskey?
Two of my favorite things are bourbon and glass blowing.
So when one of my favorite bourbon brands collaborated with a glass artist in Kentucky, I was really excited to speak with both of them.
Dixon Dedman, renowned American whiskey blender and creator of 2XO (“Two Times Oak”), partnered with Lexington, KY, based glass artist, Travis Adams and Trifecta Design Studio, in honor of the second release of 2XO Gem of Kentucky.
Travis created a one-of a kind hand-blown collection to commemorate the release of this one-of-a-kind bourbon.
Whiskey and glass go together like caviar and mother-of-pearl. You could drink whiskey out of a paper cup, but it’s much more enjoyable in a great glass. If you’re a whiskey drinker, I don’t need to state the obvious which is that the glass really does make a difference in the total experience.
If you aren’t a whiskey drinker, but drink coffee or tea, think about how you reach for your favorite mug, or tea cup. If you are like most people, the experience is enhanced by the drinking receptacle.
Your favorite whiskey glass can be relatively inexpensive or it could be expensive. It’s about the way it feels in the hand, and like taste, that is subjective and everyone is different. It’s also about the weight, the way the spirit looks in the glass and the aroma coming from the glass,
Like most whiskey drinkers including Dixon and Travis, I have a collection of my favorite glasses and—like picking a mug for coffee in the morning—different days and different times call for different whiskey glasses. So what did these two consider when designing the ultimate whiskey glass for this limited release bourbon?
“Gem of Kentucky is unique because it is the only double-barreled, single barrel on the market,” explained Dixon. “And Travis created both a presenter as well as glasses that were inspired by the release. It is a very elegant glass for a very elegant bourbon.”
As a fine-art glass artist, Travis is passionate about the way the glass looks and feels, “if it feels good in your hand, it’s going to make the drinking experience better, “ said Travis. “This glass lets anyone experience the Gem of Kentucky through the lens of a glassblower. And, the glass is as much an art form as fine art glass,” explained Travis.
Travis’s “The Unmined Gem” collection for 2XO Gem of Kentucky includes a collectable presenter and hand-blown glasses. The made-to-order glasses come in two styles, one with a stem and one stemless.
I have the stemless glass and it feels really good in the hand. They are light in weight, but sturdy and strong with a slight taper above the center of the glass to accentuate the nose (of the whiskey), but large enough to accommodate a big cube and hold it in the glass. It is also the perfect spot for your index finger.
The bottom is raised so it sits slightly above the surface which was important to Dixon, as he explained, “ I like glasses that have a little lift to elevate the glass so it doesn’t sit flat on the table.”
Finally, the delicate hand-etched woodgrain details—inspired by the oak in 2XO—make a pleasing pattern in the clear glass.
Gem of Kentucky is Dixon’s way of re-visiting “what a single barrel program was—to showcase the unique characteristics of a single barrel.” He continued, “it is the only double-barreled single-barrel bourbon in a modern all-black bottle. That means that each of the 80 barrels released is a single barrel, and the barrel number is on the front label of each bottle. Some barrels are sweeter with warm baking spices, chocolate notes and even some toasted marshmallow. Others are more savory with black pepper, dark red fruits and nutmeg.”
I tried a bottle that was very special with a strong character and a sweet and spicy personality. It was truly a gem! The straight bourbon whiskey is hand-selected by Dixon from stocks of his 35% high-rye bourbon mash bill and spend up to a year in new charred oak barrels before bottling.
When I spoke with Dixon, he told me that everyone told him not to use a black glass bottle for this release. But as a whiskey hobbyist (not purist), I love it. When I pour a little liquid from that black bottle into my special glass, my drink is elevated by the aesthetics and the ritual of it all.
Gem of Kentucky is available nationwide and the glasses are available from the Trifecta Design Studio website.
