Recreating the Whiskey Glasses from Inglourious Basterds (2025)
In May of 2025, a client came to us with one of the most unusual and exciting requests we’ve ever received: could we recreate the iconic whiskey glasses from Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds?
Over the course of two months, we took this project from initial inquiry to finished delivery — blending cinema history with the precision of glassblowing, and giving Ben a chance to push both his artistry and engineering instincts.
TL;DR
In 2025, we were commissioned to recreate the whiskey glasses from Inglourious Basterds.
The project took two months from start to finish.
It required research, film references, mold-making, and several prototypes.
Four finished glasses were produced: weighted, balanced, and faithful to the film’s design.
This case study highlights what makes custom glass projects so rewarding — storytelling in functional art.
From Screen to Studio
Movie props are typically designed for the camera, not for decades of real use. Our client wanted something different: authentic whiskey glasses, inspired by the tense basement bar scene in Inglourious Basterds, but made to last a lifetime.
To guide the process, the client sent us reference material: YouTube clips with timestamps showing the glasses in Michael Fassbender’s hand during the scene.
Reference material from the client: time-stamped film clips showing the glass shape and proportions.
From those stills and clips, several details stood out:
The glasses had a steeper curve at the base than our existing designs.
They carried a certain heft when lifted — a weighted feel that gave them presence.
The proportions were just right for a cinematic silhouette.
While the shape reminded us of our Dombey Glass, the differences meant we couldn’t simply reuse an existing design. This would require a custom solution.
The Craft Behind the Curve
At our New Orleans studio, free-blown glass is always part art, part engineering. Recreating a prop with such a specific profile meant starting with careful measurements and sketches, and then building a mold to guarantee consistency.
Every millimeter mattered. A slight adjustment to the curve changed how the glass looked on a table, how it caught light, and how it felt in the hand. Ben engineered and tested a new mold that could capture the steep base curve while still producing a functional, durable glass.
This is one of the early prototypes Ben Dombey created. In this picture, the prototype is compared to the printed screenshot from the movie.
This prototyping phase took several weeks, with glasses going back and forth between the furnace and client review. Feedback was precise: minimize visual striations, refine the slope, tighten the curve. Allyson explained that while some striations are inevitable in handblown glass, they are not flaws — they are the subtle fingerprints of fire and breath.
The back-and-forth highlighted the heart of custom work: clear communication, patience, and a willingness to refine until the vision came to life.
From Prototype to Perfection
By the halfway point of the two-month project, the mold was complete, and we could move from testing to production. With each pull from the furnace, Ben refined the balance of heat, gravity, and breath — ensuring every glass matched the steep curve while still feeling natural in the hand.
The R&D process was extensive, but worth it. In free-blown glass, no two pieces are ever identical — but by combining mold control with years of practiced rhythm, we created a set that was consistent without losing its soul.
The Final Result
At the end of the two-month journey, four finished whiskey glasses emerged. Weighted at the base, clear and polished, they struck the perfect balance between cinematic homage and functional art.
The finished set of custom whiskey glass replicas, inspired by the movie Inglourious Basterds, was handblown in our New Orleans studio.
When the client unboxed them, the response was immediate:
Actual email from customer upon receipt of his glasses. We were thrilled!
Why Custom Glass Matters
This project wasn’t just about a film replica. It was about honoring the power of objects to carry meaning. Whether inspired by cinema, family heritage, or personal milestones, every custom glass we make at Glassblower Ben begins with a story — and ends as something you can hold in your hand.
Projects like this also keep our studio sharp: they challenge Ben as a craftsman and process engineer, and they push us to innovate while staying true to the artistry of glassblowing.
FAQ
Can you make replica whiskey glasses from movies?
Yes. We create custom whiskey glasses inspired by films, stories, or personal ideas. Each piece is handblown at our New Orleans studio.
How are your custom whiskey glasses different from mass-produced ones?
Ours are free-blown in molten glass, not machine-pressed. Every curve, weight, and balance is intentional — a blend of engineering and artistry.
What does a custom project cost?
It depends on the complexity of the design. Many projects begin around $200 per glass, especially if custom molds or tooling are needed.
How long does a custom order take?
Most custom projects take 2–12 weeks. This particular movie-inspired set required two full months because of mold development and prototyping.
Want Your Own Custom Glass?
From movie-inspired designs to personalized monograms, we love custom projects — they challenge us, inspire us, and result in unforgettable pieces.
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