Silver anniversary celebrations for one of whisky’s most famous icons

as the much-loved Glencairn Glass turns 25

This year marks a momentous milestone for Glencairn Crystal as the globally loved Glencairn Glass celebrates its 25th birthday.

Since its launch in 2000, the Glencairn Glass, the world’s official whisky glass and winner of the Queen’s Award for Innovation, has become the tasting glass for connoisseurs, collectors and distillers alike – a modern icon designed to elevate the whisky drinking experience for whisky lovers everywhere.

“When I first sketched the idea for the Glencairn Glass all those years ago, I wanted to create a proper whisky glass, something that would bring out the best in the spirit that we hold so dear,” said Raymond Davidson, the founder of Glencairn Crystal and the creator of the Glencairn Glass. 

A global glass phenomenon 

Since its debut a quarter century ago, more than 5 million Glencairn Glasses are now sold each year, with 50 million glasses sold to date across more than 140 countries. To give this figure some context, 50 million Glencairn Glasses stacked one on top of the other would nearly reach the centre of the Earth – or would be more than 650 times taller than Mount Everest.

Whether it’s used in whisky tastings, distillery tours, or proudly displayed in home collections, the Glencairn Glass is instantly recognisable by its tulip shape, expertly designed to concentrate aromas and enhance every sip. It is also widely respected within the industry as the official glass for whisky, endorsed by master blenders, distillers, and aficionados.

“To see the Glencairn Glass embraced by whisky drinkers around the world over the last twenty-five years has been incredibly humbling and exciting. We would like to thank the industry we love for all their support over the years and invite them to raise a Glencairn Glass in celebration with us!” said Raymond. 

Cheers to 25 Years 

As the Glencairn Glass celebrates its silver anniversary, Glencairn Crystal is preparing a host of fun activities and celebrations filled with nostalgia, community spirit and whisky appreciation. From retro throwbacks to exclusive limited-edition releases, the celebrations will span across Glencairn’s online store, Amazon platform, and social media channels bringing fans together to toast a quarter-century of innovation within whisky and the iconic glass that changed the way we enjoy our drams.

Glencairn Crystal was started by Raymond Davidson over 40 years ago and the award-winning company remains a proud family-owned business based in East Kilbride, Scotland. With Raymond’s sons Paul and Scott at the helm, the company has grown from a specialist glassware studio to a pillar of the global whisky industry – having worked with more than 600 distilleries worldwide whilst keeping its craftsmanship rooted in family values and Scottish tradition.

For more information and updates on the 25th anniversary celebrations, visit www.whiskyglass.com  or follow on social media @TheGlencairnGlass. 

2025 Glencairn Glass Fun Facts 

• It takes over 3 hours to make a Glencairn Glass and for each engraved Glencairn Glass up to 9 people will be involved in its creation and finishing.

• The Glencairn Glass is available in over 140 countries, in all 7 continents, in every corner of the globe – including Antarctica.

• Over 5 million glasses are now sold every year – which is enough to give every person in the whole of New Zealand their own glass each annually.

• 50 million Glencairn Glasses have been sold to date:

• • If you stacked 50 million Glencairn Glasses one of top of the other they would stretch 5,750 km – well into outer space, far beyond satellites, the International Space Station, and even the Earth’s atmosphere. That’s almost enough to reach the centre of the Earth or be well on your way to orbit.

• • 50 million Glencairn Glasses stacked on top of each other is also over 650 times the height of Mount Everest.

• • If laid end to end, that’s also more than enough Glencairn Glasses to stretch from New York to London.

Glencairn Crystal Awards:

This year Glencairn Crystal was honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. The company first received the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2006 for the Glencairn Glass, followed by the Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2012.

Glencairn Crystal has also been named a finalist in the Department for Business and Trade Exporter of the Year Award at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2025. The winners will be announced in November.

Other accolades include Whisky Advocate Industry Leader of the Year in the US in 2011. In 2019 Glencairn Crystal was one of only seven Scottish companies to join the London Stock Exchange Group’s ELITE programme for fast-growing companies, and recognition in the 2023 Scottish Export Index as one of the top 20 companies demonstrating excellence in international trade.