Cascada was developed over four years of research and prototyping, in collaboration with three teams of taste testing experts, a number of insightful agave spirits professionals, and two master glass making studios.
Cascada set out to create the new world standard for agave spirits tasting. Designing a glass for the most complex spirits in the world required a dedication to careful research - and crucially - a close collaboration with insightful stakeholders who led the testing, feedback and improvement of the glass from a bold idea to a highly useful tool.
Initial research was thorough and wide ranging, and touched on the history and variety of agave spirits, the agave spirits production process, taste testing, and research on tasting glass shape and its effects on taste and aroma perception
Our initial ideas focused on establishing totally new forms for tasting glasses that could be tested to see what was and was not effective. At the same time, drawing reference from traditional and contemporary vessels for mezcal and tequila created a wide array of potential shapes to explore.
The next stage involved collaborating with highly skilled glassblowers to develop inexpensive wood molds that enabled rapid real glass prototyping of our forms.
Taste testing was the main factor in developing the glass shape. By collaborating with separate groups of tasting experts from agave spirits, sommelier, whiskey and tasting competition backgrounds, we hoped to ensure unbiased results. A simple system for scoring the glasses was combined with detailed written feedback reports.
Documenting this wide range of shapes was important to set a basis for being able to develop and refine cascada’s shape for effective taste testing
By combining the written feedback and the tasting scores, we began to see trends in the effect that the glasses shape can have on aroma perception, ethanol burn reduction, and taste experience. Over many rounds of trial and error, the best shapes competed and a winning form started to emerge.
As the cycles between taste testing and prototyping began to create more refined directions, we began testing our prototypes against the leading spirits glasses on the market. Eventually we discovered a shape that consistently outperformed them - and this guided the final development of Cascada.
The feedback and guidance of tequila and mezcal producers and agave spirits professionals was deeply valuable in enabling the development of the glass - their insights shaped our fundamental understanding of the importance and value of agave spirits alongside the categories technical complexity and huge variety in taste expression. Without them this would not have been possible!
This team effort created a highly effective design that we are truly proud of. The patent for cascada was awarded in 2026. The final form is distinct yet simple - and strikes a balance between technical prowess and ergonomics.
We hope you enjoy Cascada as a useful tool - and most importantly - experience a new world of flavors from the spirits you taste with it!