Nambé Tilt Double Old-Fashioned Glasses, Set of 4 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I love these glasses, and bought plenty, to use them everyday! Design deserves 5 stars. Alas, current manufacture deserves only 2. The problem is that I have never yet gotten a box of 4 that didn't have at least 1 reject, with either more or larger flaws than I would accept! I suggest you buy 3 boxes (of four glasses each) and plan to return 1 box. I buy at retail now instead of from amazon, which allows me to cherry-pick. (I ask the clerk for two boxes, open up the shrink wrap right there at the register, and "shift the worst eggs from one carton to the other". If the clerk objects, I just don't buy: (a) They can re-shrink if they must, and (b) Quality control is the manufacturer's problem, not the retailer's -- they can and *should* *return* the box I don't take (but I bet they don't bother).
Specifically, here's what to look for:
(1) larger-than-average bubbles: I preferred none, but nowadays you can't get that, so I started accepting 1 small bubble or 2 tiny ones. In particular examine bubbles in the sidewalls rather than the base -- with such poor QC, you need to touch them to make sure the bubble isn't at the surface, because you'll get a tiny divot, which aside from looking sad is also likely to turn into a star crack with dishwasher heat.
(2) rim bump (old model) or rough spot (new model): Just run your finger around the rim -- save your guest from feeling it with their lip. (This matters especially for this design because they *can't* just rotate the glass by a few degrees and drink out of a different spot!)
(3) rarely, the base is tilted at a *significantly* different angle: This is on the interior only -- the bottoms are always flat and fine. It's a handmade item, so you have to accept variations. Just line them up side by side on the bar or table to see if one is way, way off.
The country of manufacture has changed from when these were first made, and the quality control has gotten a little worse. No longer are the annoying bubbles in 1 out of 4, and buried deep inside the base -- now they are on 2 or even 3 out of 4, in the sidewalls as well as the base, and some even touch the surface! Also the newer models don't match the old ones because they aren't as thick/heavy. New ones are also more sharply cut and polished at the rim, rather than a blown/rolled. (I sort of like the cut, because it eliminates the possibility of the old blow/clip bump flaw. It isn't as "comfy" as the old style, but by no means bothersome.) Generally you cannot buy a couple to replace breakage in an original set; if you're fussy, just buy all matching new.
Really, truly, I do like this design, as evidenced by a willingness to go through the retail quality control embarrassment/hassle! But just so you can gauge, when I say "I bought plenty", that means I bought 16 to get a set of 8. (Most people can probably stop at 12 instead...) By the way, if you're the sort of person who likes tilted glassware, and you're willing to pay top dollar, look on auction or replacement sites for Baccarat "Projection" (sometimes also called "Vertige" as a set) decanter and/or glasses. Much pricier, also a heavier, more complex 1980's cut design, and some have a color slab -- but they are uber cool, and generally flawless! Also by the bye, if you've never touched these in person and are just going by the pictures, I recommend this double-old-fashioned 10-oz. size over the highball 13-oz. style, because the shape and opening are more pleasant to the eye, hand, and mouth. Nambé "Tilt" are definitely worth your time and trouble to procure -- just don't settle for any second-quality merchandise.

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Challenge even the cleverest of imaginations with our wonderfully rounded Tilt Double Old-Fashioned Glasses. Enjoy them for casual summer sipping or stylish entertaining.

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