Whisky glass wins Queen's Award

Glencairn's directors launched the whisky glass four years ago

A family business that introduced a specially-designed nosing and drinking glass to the world of whisky has won a coveted award for innovation.

Glencairn Crystal, based in East Kilbride, has won a Queen's Award for Enterprise in recognition of its Glencairn Glass.

The whisky glass is now used by all Scottish and Irish distilleries.

Glencairn said the award was a "superb achievement" and described its product as the "definitive" whisky glass.

The glass, launched four years ago, is tapered for nosing and designed to "enhance the whisky drinking experience".

Master distillers

Glencairn Crystal supplies more than one million glasses a year around the world.

Paul Davidson, managing director, said: "There are specialist glass designs for champagne and brandy but there had never been one for whisky.

"This had always been at the back of my father Raymond's mind.

"We decided to revive the idea and involved Scotland's master distillers at every stage.

"In a relatively short space of time, the glass has become established worldwide as the definitive whisky glass."

Fellow Director Scott Davidson added: "Winning the Queen's Award is a superb achievement for everyone here at Glencairn Crystal."

The family business was launched 25 years ago and now employs 20 people.