In response to the booming bourbon industry sweeping America, Refresh Glass, a company that creates drinking glasses and home décor items from empty wine bottles, launches a signature bourbon glass. Bourbon and whiskey drinkers everywhere can enjoy chilled bourbon with little dilution.
As part of their 10 Million Bottle Rescue Mission, Refresh Glass collects over 15,000 empty wine bottles each month from local hospitality partners who would have otherwise thrown them away. The bottles are then transformed into functional products such as drinking glasses, candle holders, vases, planters and now… a bourbon glass.
“I’ll tell you, bourbon is on fire,” says Kevin Smith, who heads up bourbon distillery operations for Jim Beam. Similar to the uprise in craft beer, bourbon is booming. There’s a substantial increase in popularity of bourbon and whiskey bars, craft cocktail competitions and new flavor-infused versions of the spirit. And it’s not just for men either; there’s even a national organization, Bourbon Women.
The signature bourbon glasses are made from a clear wine bottle with a highly pronounced punt, the raised indentation at the bottom of a wine bottle. When the barrel-aged spirit is poured into the glass, it surrounds the punt allowing a King Cube (large ice cube or ice ball) to rest above the bourbon. The bourbon is then chilled releasing additional aromas while the actual spirit isn’t diluted by quickly melting ice.
“The existing punt in a wine bottle and the thick, smooth rim we create in our transformation process enhances the experience and presentation for bourbon lovers,” said Ray DelMuro, owner and founder of Refresh Glass.
After experiencing the signature bourbon glass first hand in restaurants, consumers consistently inquire about owning a set of glasses for their own home use or buying as a gift for a fellow bourbon lover. They are available just in time for Father’s Day.
“I was at Husk in Charleston and the rye drink I ordered was served in one of your glasses with a very large cube of ice. The punt kept the ice off the rye so the drink was cold, but there was little dilution and the rye tasted as it should. I was so impressed that when I got home to New York City ordered a set of four glasses for myself. The glasses just feel right with rye, bourbon and scotch. The fact that I had not seen anything like them before just added to their appeal,” said customer, Bill Sklar.
Refresh Glass products can be found on their website. The signature Bourbon glasses are sold in sets of two or four. Sphere shaped ice molds are also available from Refresh Glass. They also offer bulk pricing for hospitality venues.
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