A crystal carafe can be a big purchase for anyone to make, but it will fill the room that it adorns with a touch of class and a great amount of decadence. There are many things to consider before making this purchase, though, all of which will affect exactly which one of the many types of carafes you select. To choose the best one, consider the size of the carafe, how much cleaning it will need, the type of stopper that is supplied with it and the price.
The size of the crystal carafe is vital, because this will define what can be stored in it, because many different alcoholic drinks need to be stored in different ways. A crystal carafe that is designed to hold scotch should be big enough to hold the whole bottle, and one that is going to keep wine will need to be larger than the capacity of the wine bottle, to allow the wine to breathe. Often, a crystal carafe used for wine will be a lot wider at the bottom as well, so that there is a greater surface area covered by the beverage in order for the oxygen to mix better with it and for any sediment to settle more quickly.
As with all crystal, a crystal carafe will require cleaning to keep it looking sparkling and therefore to justify the price paid for it. Cleaning a crystal carafe that has lots of different protrusions and indentations in it can be a time-consuming task, meaning that only those who have the dedication to do this should purchase one. For others, the best type is possibly one with smooth sides that will therefore require less effort to clean, even if it is made from antique crystal.
The stopper on the crystal carafe is an absolutely vital element, especially if the carafe is going to be used for storing scotch, because the taste of scotch can be tainted by contact with oxygen. The most common types of stoppers are made from crystal, cork, rubber or glass, with the best usually being the glass and crystal varieties. This is because they are the most durable and can be coated with rubber to form a tight seal on the crystal carafe.
Finally, the cost of the specific crystal carafe most be considered when choosing a carafe. This largely depends on your personal taste, because the amount of disposable income you have will determine how much you want to spend. If you are spending a large amount of money on a crystal carafe, however, it usually is a good idea to have it examined by an expert first.