American Handmade Whiskey Tumblers, Available in the Netherlands and Europe | Made in the USA
Johan van den HaakCelebrating our New Orleans Partnership with American Artisan Glassblower Ben
Oak & Ember was founded on the belief that the objects we use during our quiet rituals matter. A thoughtfully made whiskey glass can transform a simple drink into a moment of reflection — and sometimes even become the favorite glass we return to for years. In this blog, I’m proud to announce our newly formed partnership with New Orleans-based artisan Glassblower Ben, who shares our appreciation for craftsmanship and rituals.
For Those Who Appreciate the Ritual
The other day I was talking to some of my friends about organizing a whiskey tasting with those of us who appreciate a dram every now and then. After I had counted raised hands, one of them then tried to manage expectations about his whiskey expertise by saying that he doesn’t drink whiskey often and only pours a small amount in his whiskey glass of choice when he does. “I just really appreciate the ritual”, he said.
Without being aware of it himself, he validated Oak & Ember’s philosophy – right then and there – using just those six words. “I just really appreciate the ritual”.
Some people open a bottle of wine together, after a long day’s work. Others, like me, wait until the world has gone quiet, pour a glass of whiskey and enjoy a moment of quiet pause. In the same seat, with the same glass and the same familiar surroundings: a personal ritual for reflection and tension release.
Celebrating Rituals and Personal Favorites
Our rituals bear a certain sacredness. It is why we prefer to perform them in the same manner, time and again. Through repetition, we gradually form an attachment to the objects that accompany these ceremonial routines. For whiskey glasses, this can be tactile comfort, thickness, weight and balance – all connected to the ritual that allows you to ponder and unwind.
At Oak & Ember we do not claim to be connoisseurs of fine spirits. However, we do certainly acknowledge the accompanying whiskey rituals and the objects we return to. For us, it is about recognizing the value of craftsmanship and thoughtfully chosen whiskey glassware that enhances moments of contemplation and connection.
It is this conviction that resulted in a partnership we are more than proud to announce. A New Orleans-based partner that shares our reverence for pausing and choosing deliberately: GlassblowerBen, LLC.
Our shared belief can even be found grounded in Glassblower Ben’s company history: “What if the glass itself could make an ordinary moment feel sacred?”.
A Shared Passion for Heritage and Craft
Our pursuit for unique, one-of-a-kind barware initially led us to discover The Dombey Glass: a mouth-blown whiskey tumbler created with rituals in mind. We couldn’t just let this opportunity pass by, so we reached out and shared our story. Not even two months later, our partnership with Allyson and Ben has already become a central pillar of Oak & Ember. Their passion for craftsmanship enables us to offer something not easily found in any other store: heirloom-quality, hand-blown whiskey glasses, handcrafted one piece at a time.
We first added The Henry Glass to our Librarian’s Collection, because it is much more than an American handmade whiskey glass. Besides being one of Ben’s signature glasses, it also tells a tale – the story of Henry, Ben’s brother. The story of him being the inspiration behind one of Glassblower Ben’s very first prototypes. With this, each sip from The Henry Glass tells us a story of heritage and craft, which fits Oak & Ember like a bespoke glove.
An American Partnership Celebrating Slow Living and Creating Memories
It’s not just its history, nor is the right balance of weight and glass thickness; it is the slight variation in each of these mouth-blown glasses that tells you – this is no ordinary glass. It is an artisan-made whiskey glass that, above all, adds sentiment to every sip you take. It is emotion, carefully crafted into a rocks glass, turning an ordinary drink into a quiet ritual and a simple evening into something worth remembering.
For me personally, it encourages me to:
- Deliberately choose the whiskey I pour, reliving the memories tied to the bottle.
- Relish the moment, feeling the familiar weight of the glass resting in my hand and enjoying the quiet of the evening.
- Sip slowly, stretching the enjoyment and consciously experiencing the calmness coming over body and mind.
- If with company, deepen the conversation and strengthen our bond.
As time passes by, a glass becomes more than a vessel. As I reach for it after busy and stressful days, achievements gained or moments of pride and satisfaction, this glass slowly becomes a witness of life and stories to tell.
Perhaps that is why so many people have a favorite glass. Because of the stories you personally create with it.
Now Available in Europe, Made in the USA
The United States, the land of the free, has a long and rich history when it comes to bourbon and rye. It is a heritage and affiliation that we choose to honor, celebrate and gratefully choose to tie to the Oak & Ember brand.
Our partnership with Glassblower Ben allows us to bring a selection of handmade whiskey glasses to Europe, including The Henry Glass and other mouth-blown designs. Created one piece at a time, Ben's glasses are defined by their balance, weight and subtle variations — characteristics that make each piece uniquely suited to become a personal favorite.
These American handmade whiskey glasses are now available through Oak & Ember for customers in the Netherlands, Belgium and across Europe. By partnering directly with Glassblower Ben, we make artisan glassware and US-made whiskey craft accessible without long international shipping times or import complexity, and familiar payment methods such as iDEAL/Wero.
By improving the overall experience, we work together towards our common goal: unifying whiskey and Scotch enthusiasts across borders. To have American handmade whiskey tumblers sitting on European home kitchen shelves, or at sophisticated cocktail bars and restaurants. Places where heritage and craftsmanship, product presentation, story and longevity matter.
Let’s Raise Our Glass, Together
Whether you are in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, The United Kingdom or the United States – next time you pour yourself a ritualistic dram, we invite you to raise your glass and consciously take the next sip. We will gladly do the same and value the idea that, together, we are creating memories while sipping from our favorite whiskey glass.
The real beauty is that this is only the beginning of our collaboration. We look forward to following the path that has been laid out before us. A path of appreciation, of behind-the-scenes stories, of bespoke whiskey glasses and artisanal barware that all captivate the philosophy that brought this partnership into being:
It is the ritual that matters.
Cheers,
Johan