Ask any expert, and they\u2019ll tell you that there\u2019s an art to shopping for the perfect spirits decanter. We asked freelance journalist and whiskey expert\u00a0Clay Whittaker\u00a0to break it down. \u201cA decanter is meant to be displayed, so it should fit your home decor and represent your style,\u201d he says. \u201cBut, it should also be functional\u2013\u2013your decanter shouldn’t be needlessly difficult to lift or pour from, and you should consider how difficult it will be to clean or dust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where glass is concerned, safety is always an important factor. Aside from durability, Whittaker says, you\u2019ll want to make sure that the decanter, if made from crystal, is lead-free. \u201cLeaded crystal will leach lead into alcohol over time. That may not be an issue for glassware, which you’re only using for a few hours, but a decanter holding whiskey for a few days, weeks, or months, will make whatever is inside fairly toxic. It could eventually kill you\u2014or at least ruin your whiskey,\u201d he notes. These are some of the best (and safest) decanters on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n