Getting a Game Of Thrones Shot Glass Set That Won't Be Shit

Most people order the cheap resin knockoffs off Amazon and then have a bad time. The glass gets chipped within a month, the House sigil peels off after two washes, and the set doesn't match anyway because whoever packed the box just tossed them in without any regard for consistency. I learned this the hard way after buying three different sets over four years. The actual worthwhile ones are made by companies that specialize in officially licensed merch. The main contenders are Rion Manufacturing and Noble Collection. Rion does the glassware at a decent thickness, around 6mm, which actually matters if you plan on using these regularly instead of displaying them. Noble goes a bit thinner but their etching holds up better over time. Both are available through their own storefronts and occasionally through Barnes & Noble's online shop.

Game Of Thrones Shot Glass Set Buying Guide

Here is what I actually look for before pulling the trigger:

  • Glass thickness - anything under 4mm feels flimsy and tends to crack in the dishwasher. You want at least 5mm.
  • Decoration method - etched or enamel-filled holds up. Screen-printed ink will fade after a handful of washes. This is the biggest mistake people make.
  • Set completeness - verify all eight principal houses are represented if that matters to you. Some sellers list a "set" that is missing Stark or Lannister because they ran out of stock.

I went through a situation last year where I ordered what was advertised as a complete Game Of Thrones Shot Glass Set but when it arrived, Wildling and Martell were swapped out for the obscure Tarth and Darklyne houses. The seller hadn't fact-checked their own inventory against HBO's official licensing sheet. I managed to resolve it by contacting the manufacturer directly rather than the retail seller, since the manufacturer tracks the correct house lineup. It took about ten days to get replacements, but at least I didn't have to deal with return shipping for eight glasses. When it comes to pricing, expect to pay between forty and seventy dollars for a quality set. Anything under thirty is probably resin or poorly made glass that will disappoint you. The higher-end versions with metal accent bases run closer to a hundred but honestly the extra cost doesn't correlate linearly with durability. Care is straightforward but most people skip it. Hand wash only, even if the listing says dishwasher safe. The thermal shock from a hot dishwasher cycle will crack thinner glasses over time. I use a soft sponge and warm soapy water, dry immediately with a microfiber cloth. It adds about three minutes to cleanup but it extends the life of the set by years.

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Game of Thrones Shot Glass Set — Vanilla Underground
Game of Thrones Shot Glass Set — Vanilla Underground

If you are buying as a gift and want something more unique, there are smaller ceramic artisans on Etsy who do hand-painted versions. They are slower to produce and cost more, around eighty to one hundred twenty dollars, but the attention to detail is noticeably better than mass production. Just factor in a two to three week lead time if you are ordering close to a date.