10 Best Bourbon Decanters In 2023: Reviews & Buying Guide
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When you buy your favorite bottle of bourbon, do you keep it in the bottle or transfer it to a decanter? If you are the latter, you’re in luck because we have laid out the best bourbon decanters and one of them just might be your next favorite. If you are the former, then perhaps the lineup below will change your mind.
Normally, a decanter is used for wine, right? It helps in bringing out the aromas and flavors. However, bourbon doesn’t need too much exposure to air for the scents and tastes to be released. So, essentially, a bourbon decanter is mostly for presentation or serving purposes. To know more about the differences between the two, click here. Without further ado, here are the best decanters for bourbon and the things to consider when buying one.
Buying Guide
Decanters come in different shapes and sizes and before you get overwhelmed by the choices, better know what you’re looking for first. Here are some factors to help you make your decision easier.
Size
The usual bottle of bourbon holds about 750 ml. Decanters can usually hold 700 to 800 ml. Before buying a decanter, check out your bottle first because you have to make sure that you can get all the contents in the decanter. If the bottle has more capacity, you can also just refill the decanter from time to time, but this is a bit of a hassle. It’s also better if the old bourbon won’t be mixed with the bourbon that has stayed in the bottle.
Lid
Most bourbon decanters have lids to keep unwanted particles from getting in. It’s also for preventing the bourbon from being exposed to too much air as this can lead to oxidation and affect the bourbon’s taste. Look for a decanter with an airtight seal to keep the bourbon as fresh and good-tasting as possible.
Price
Decanters are considered luxury items, and although, this may seem like it, several options are affordable. Others would be in a set which makes them a great value. If you want to splurge a bit, perhaps you would like a crystal decanter. As always, choose the one that fits your budget and you’re willing to pay for it.
Material
They can either be made from crystal or non-lead glass. Nowadays, lead-free decanters are rampant because they are accessible and more affordable. Crystal ones are more sophisticated in terms of brilliance, clarity, and overall look. The only downside is that crystal contains lead which can leach into the bourbon when stored in the decanter for too long. It is often argued that lead is harmful to people so if you want to play it safe, opt for the lead-free decanters.
Design
Perhaps the most common look or style of the decanter is the square shape with a smooth surface and a standard square lid. Today, you can find that there are many cool designs and styles of bourbon decanters that add so much to the aesthetics. After all, whiskey decanters, in general, are more on looks. Some even do a better job of highlighting the alcohol’s nice caramel color due to the design or style.
Accessories
As mentioned, some decanters are part of a set, making them a greater value. Usually, they come with at least 2 matching bourbon or whiskey glasses. This is common with a lot of decanter brands and it’s cool to have glasses that come with the decanter since it’s convenient, so they’re kind of a bonus.
Top Picks
Best Bourbon Decanters
Whether you’ll buy one for a friend, family, or yourself, the selection below will surely satisfy your needs so choose well!
1. Godinger Whiskey Decanter Globe Set - Drinking around the world
Pros
- Lead-free
- Unique etching design
- Hand-blown
- Comes with a mahogany tray
- Comes with 2 glasses
- Labeled as Best Seller in Amazon
Cons
- Decanter is thin
- Non-refundable
- Some found it small
What customers are saying about the product:
Penny comments that this is pretty, detailed, and amazing. She added that it makes an awesome gift as well as a display piece. She couldn’t wait to give this to her husband (1st photo). Meanwhile, AC gave an unbiased review and her verdict is she thought it was a great gift. She filled it with Balvenie 12-year-old single barrel and her husband also loved the whole thing (2nd photo)
Why we think this is a great product:
This whole decanter set tells a story. The globe style along with the cool ship figure at the front makes you feel like you’re circling the globe while sipping your delicious glass of bourbon. The glasses are also designed with the map and the whole package is just interesting to look at. What a great display for bourbon.
Who should buy it:
Most customers say that this makes a great gift to fathers and husbands so if you’re planning to give your dad or husband a gift, this makes a terrific choice.
2. Paksh Capitol Glass Decanter - Made with Italian-crafted glass
Pros
- Versatile
- Airtight seal
- Great clarity
- Sturdy glass
- Easy to hold
- Can be personalized
Cons
- Small
- Poor quality control
What customers are saying about the product:
Guglielmo loves this decanter. He says that it looks great and has a very tight seal. He added that the price is reasonable for its quality and he’s very happy and satisfied with his purchase (1st photo). MommyOf3Ladies ordered a few of these for Father’s Day gift and she said that everyone loved them. She recommends putting it in a durable box if you are to give as a gift as this doesn’t come in a gift-ready box. Overall, it is more than worth it for the price and fast shipping (2nd photo)
Why we think this is a great product:
You can never go wrong with a simple, clean design. This decanter is all about function. It has a bit of a sloped shape to enable a better grip. The base is made thick so it remains stable and the stopper is carefully designed to keep the alcohol as fresh as possible.
Who should buy it:
If you value function more than style, then this decanter’s for you.
3. Kemstood Whiskey Decanter Set - Not your ordinary decanter
Pros
- Lead-free
- Comes with an interesting car holder
- Works with many kinds of alcohol
- Makes an awesome display
- Comes with 2 glasses
- 100% guarantee
Cons
- Wheels don’t have a lock
What customers are saying about the product:
Marlene says that she received the package on time and it was wrapped very well. She remarks that it looks beautiful and she loves it (1st photo). On the other hand, RT2 says that the decanter is heavy-duty and beautifully cut. She loves the vintage car and even though the glasses are small, they are still beautiful (2nd photo).
Why we think this is a great product:
This decanter set brings out the kid in you, doesn’t it? The vintage car is well-crafted and has nice colors. It is also designed to hold not just the decanter but also the 2 glasses. The car holder is the star here but the decanter also shines and it’s decent in terms of quality.
Who should buy it:
This would easily impress anyone who likes bourbon or any other alcohol because it’s extraordinary and one of a kind.
4. Jillmo Whiskey Decanter Set - No lifting of decanter needed
Pros
- Lead-free
- Big capacity
- Unique and functional style
- Comes with a sturdy stand
- Prevents evaporation
- Comes with 2 glasses
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Can leak
What customers are saying about the product:
Donna shares that she bought this for her husband for their anniversary. They found the craftsmanship great and they love the pouring feature. They also found the glasses nice and heavy (1st photo). Olivia says she is impressed with the quality. She also got it for her husband as a thank you gift and he loved it. Overall, she is impressed with the thickness of the glass and the sturdiness of everything (2nd photo).
Why we think this is a great product:
The addition of the faucet is ingenious because since you don’t have to remove the stopper from time to time, the bourbon stays fresh longer. The interior is also very detailed and mimics a ship in a bottle, so how cool is that?
Who should buy it:
To anyone who appreciates detailed crafts, this cohesive decanter set is perfect for you as it also serves as an excellent decorative piece.
5. FineDine Whiskey Decanter and Glass Set - Crafted by glass artisans with a “twist”
Pros
- Lead-free
- Nice heft
- Great brilliance
- Comes with 4 matching glasses
- Comes in a gift-ready box
- Rolled rim for easy pouring
Cons
- Poor quality control; sometimes glasses have chips
What customers are saying about the product:
Jenny says that this is a fine decanter set. It was a Christmas gift for her whiskey lover husband and it didn’t disappoint. She remarks that it was not cheap plastic but instead a high quality glass. For her, it also makes a classy display (1st photo). Meanwhile, Plant Fancier ordered this to commemorate his brother’s retirement and he says that the workmanship is excellent. He added that the decanter and the glasses are hefty and they do a good job at highlighting the drink (2nd photo).
Why we think this is a great product:
This decanter is a great example of something that’s simple and elegant. Together with the glasses, they make a table setting look sophisticated and pristine. The twisty shape is also a nice touch.
Who should buy it:
This makes a wonderful gift to a bourbon lover and it spares you the time to wrap it because it already has a cute and secure gift box.
6. Lefonte Whiskey Decanter Set - Lets you drink like royalty
Pros
- Lead-free
- Irish triangular cut
- Sophisticated
- Comes with 2 glasses
- Great price
Cons
- Lid is not airtight
- Poor shipping; some customers complained that theirs arrived broken
What customers are saying about the product:
Dana says that this decanter set is stunning. The cuts in the glass make it shine bright and for her, it’s elegant and sturdy (1st photo). On the other hand, Dan says that this looks fancy for an inexpensive product. He shares that this looks great under his hue lights. He recommends putting some plastic in the lid so the alcohol doesn’t evaporate (2nd photo).
Why we think this is a great product:
The decanter’s shape is enough for it to be fancy-looking. The cuts are impressive and really helps to elevate the alcohol. It is also easy to lift with its sufficiently long neck.
Who should buy it:
If you like your decanter with a cut design, then this one is a great alternative to the usual square ones.
7. Queen&Stone Crystal Whiskey Decanter - Classic vessel for bourbon
Pros
- Lead-free
- Nice balance and weight
- Thick base
- Durable
- Decent capacity
Cons
- Some customers didn’t receive the stopper and some arrived broken
What customers are saying about the product:
Risket bought this decanter specifically for smoking his whiskey and he says that it is great quality. Even though there is no rubber sealing, he comments that the glass top fits perfectly and when it’s held upside down, there is no leak (1st photo). David says that this is perfect for his bedroom bar. It is everything he was looking for: non-lead glass, simple, elegant, and not too big. Overall, for him, it’s handsome to look at and surely brings joy (2nd photo).
Why we think this is a great product:
In every item created, we must not forget the classic or the original ones. This decanter is the quintessential classic model of the decanter. There’s nothing too complicated about it and it serves as excellent storage for bourbon.
Who should buy it:
If you’re a classic guy and you’re looking for a simple design, this will not disappoint.
8. Maketh the Man Whiskey Decanter And Glass Set - European design, great for everyday use
Pros
- Lead-free
- Comes with 4 glasses
- Comes in a gift-ready box
- Sophisticated contemporary design
- 100%satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Pricey
- Some customers received dirty glasses and some chipped
What customers are saying about the product:
GB says that this is fabulous. He bought this for himself and said that he would be proud to give this as a gift to a special individual or couple. He had no disappointments (1st photo). Carissa bought this set for her boyfriend and she was very impressed by how it was packaged. It was also delivered quickly and she recommends it (2nd photo).
Why we think this is a great product:
This decanter also has something to boast which is its delightful ripple design at the bottom part. It highlights the alcohol’s color very well, thus, making it a very good display.
Who should buy it:
This makes a great gift to any bourbon fan. It has a fresh look that’ll easily impress your guests or giftee.
9. Godinger Whiskey Decanter Skull Set - A cool addition to the man cave
Pros
- Lead-free
- Hand-blown
- Comes with 2 glasses
- Intricate skull design
- Decent capacity
- Comes with a wooden tray
Cons
- Glass is thin
- Some found it smaller than expected
What customers are saying about the product:
Sam shares that his partner is a radiologist who loves skulls and this was a great gift for him. They say that it’s made well and looks cool. Meanwhile, another Amazon customer bought this as a gift for her husband and he loved the whole set. When the skull is filled, she says that it looks even better. They were also glad because it arrived in perfect condition.
Why we think this is a great product:
This decanter set can make you feel and look more masculine. The design is next level and eye-catching. Surely people will easily notice this because of its different and detailed look. The glasses are also skull-designed and are double-walled.
Who should buy it:
If you find skulls cool, then this would be a cool thing to get. It matches any strong drink and it easily impresses.
10. FineDine Whiskey Decanter - Strategically designed for easy pouring
Pros- Beautiful diamond design
- Great weight
- Thick base
- Comes in a cute and secure box
- Long neck
Cons
- Air bubbles in the glass
- Not very clear
What customers are saying about the product:
Alberto says that he loves the style and the fact that it is easy to carry around. Even when filled, it doesn’t feel heavy and it perfectly fills a 750 ml bottle according to him (1st photo). On the other hand, Shawn describes it as eloquent, tasteful, sophisticated, and marvelous. Overall, he remarks it as a must-buy item (2nd photo).
Why we think this is a great product:
Perhaps the greatest thing about this decanter is its shape. It’s rounded but also geometric and the neck is beneficial for carefree lifting. The stopper alone also looks great and the cut is phenomenal.
Who should buy it:
This decanter is perfect for everyday use and looks good in any setting.
FAQs
Q1. How long can bourbon sit in a decanter?
Bourbon should be fine for months in a decanter. Though, storing it in a decanter rather than its bottle will make it last in a shorter period. If you tend to open and close it often, the quality will deteriorate. To know more about bourbon in a decanter, read this article.
Q2. Do decanters keep bourbon fresh?
For a time, decanters do keep bourbon fresh. Then again, the lid must create an airtight seal to make it last. Decanters don’t do much to the bourbon’s flavor because unlike wine, bourbon is pretty much a finished product once it is bottled.
Q3. Does a decanter make a difference for bourbon?
In terms of presentation, yes, they do make a difference. If your decanter has a diamond cut design or an awesome unconventional shape, it will stir up amusement, and the way it displays bourbon makes it seem elegant and more special.
Q4. How do you clean a bourbon decanter?
First, fill the decanter with warm water and add a bit of vinegar or baking soda and let this sit overnight. Soak the stopper in the same solution as well. Then, add an abrasive such as uncooked rice or use a decanter brush to clean the inside. Rinse the decanter and stopper thoroughly with slightly hot water.
Conclusion
Bourbon deserves to be displayed and not just in any vessel, but a decanter that makes every pour easy and special. Decanters also contribute to the look of any area you place it, whether in the bar, living room, or kitchen. Bottom line, bourbon decanters make everything look fancier and aesthetically pleasing and keeps you satisfied.
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