The Ultimate Spirits Glass is for Every Spirit

Two Centuries of Tulip Glassware Designed for 22% ABV

Keeping the same design parameters to maintain iconic tradition and/or identity with the scotch whisky industry does not come without consequence. 40% abv spirits have too much alcohol for such a small glass, burning the nose and numbing the sense of smell. Moreover, tulip glasses concentrate alcohol, mask character aromas, and are too tall for the nose to detect complex aromas and quality. They were originally designed for wine. Just another reason why we call NEAT the Ultimate Spirits Glass.

Glass manufacturers mistakenly assume that the spirits industry understands the science of nosing and evaluation. Accordingly, manufacturers keep the same non-functional shapes, which perpetuate high ethanol concentration quickly numbing olfactory senses. Indeed, not daring to be different, the glass industry resigned itself to the mediocrity of chasing style, ignoring science and function. As a result, they overlooked an opportunity to pioneer and innovate in a new, emerging sensory science.

Tulip Glass Concentrates, Forces Pungent Ethanol Odor into the Nostrils

What’s so bad about ethanol? Simple. It’s an anesthetic and numbs more human olfactory sensors with every sniff. However, many drinkers mistakenly believe more alcohol is higher quality. In hindsight, could that be why cask-strength spirits are popular?

Tulips create a cloud of nose-numbing ethanol forcing the evaluator to hunt for aromas while sniffing more nose-numbing ethanol, making it impossible to detect all subtle aromas before the nose becomes desensitized with ethanol anesthesia, or olfactory fatigue. It happens with every spirit.

Best of Both Worlds Does Something Entirely Different, and Better

The divergent glass dissipates aromas, and large convergent glass promotes swirling and evaporation yet concentrates aromas. Specifically, placing the divergent flared rim above the convergent rim creates a “neck” in the design, which is key to separating ethanol from character aromas. (Graham’s Law of Diffusion for the curious).

In the first place, the neck begins the separation process. Then, controlled divergence dissipates volatile alcohol to the outer rim away from the nose. Finally, this enhances the detectability of character aromas. Character aromas tell you what you are drinking: bourbon, scotch whisky, rum, gin, or even vodka, as well as define true spirit quality. This holds true for every spirit. More about the amazing science and why we call it the ultimate spirits glass.

Tall Glasses are Too Tall for High Mass Aromas

Each different aroma has a different molecular mass. That means that gravity, as well as molecular shape affects larger mass aromas differently than smaller mass, simple shape aromas like alcohol. The closer your nose is to the liquid surface, the more aromas you smell. Not surprisingly, this is extremely important for detecting all the spirit’s subtle aromas. The neck of the NEAT spirits glass is less than half the distance to the rim of a tulip glass, providing more complex character aromas to display above the neck for evaluation. This is true for every spirit. Every dimension of the glass was designed to make NEAT the ultimate spirits glass.

All Aromas Display According to Their Mass in the Ultimate Spirits Glass

Real science displays all aromas in the NEAT ultimate spirits glass, allowing quick and easy detection of the subtleties the distiller intended. No more hunting for aromas that become difficult to identify through alcohol. Diagram shows where in the rim plane you can detect specific aromas in a typical whisk(e)y. Some make misleading statements regarding fluid dynamics, which has nothing to do with aroma detection, “inventing” their own brand of science. We marvel at the use of blatantly misleading, false information on “tongue maps” and unintelligible references to bio mimicry to sell glasses by twisting science to imply function. Ultimately, the Ultimate Spirits Glass displays the truth in every spirit.

Tulip Aromas are a Guessing Game, not with the Ultimate Spirits Glass

The NEAT spirits glass was designed to stop “aroma hunting” and excessive sniffing that comes with all tulip glass shapes. More sniffing in the tulip glass causes quick alcohol nose numbing. With the NEAT spirits glass, its easy. Start in the center of the rim plane where there is no nose-numbing alcohol. NEAT ultimate spirits glass displays all character aromas from center to rim edge.

The NEAT Spirits glass surpasses the tulip glass functionally, so you taste the truth and positively determine spirit quality. NEAT is designed by science for the discerning professional, collector, or aficionado, and enhances enjoyment for the average drinker.

The Ultimate Spirits Glass and Competitions

NEAT spirits glass does everything better than tulip glasses. Science built a better glass, changing the way the world drinks. Most major spirits judging competitions choose NEAT as their official spirits judging glass. No more nose-numbing or pungent burn in the nostrils. Sensitive noses and professionals love NEAT, the ultimate spirits glass. If you are an incurable sniff-aholic and love strong alcohol, stick your nose further into the glass to get the blast of pain and nose numbing you crave. Unfortunately, it will destroy your sense of smell. Wouldn’t you rather use a spirits glass that gives you options, displays aromas, shows true quality, and protects your sniffer?

Gender Equity in Spirits Drinking and Evaluation

The worst side effect of tulip glasses is their gender exclusivity. Concentrating ethanol is disagreeable to the more sensitive female nose and can even be painful. Ever wonder why there are so few women in whiskey clubs and attending spirits events? Peer pressure and a “good-ole-boys” fraternal atmosphere inadvertently exclude ladies who don’t want to drink from pungent ethanol tulip glasses. It’s time to get smart and bring sensitive noses into the appreciation of spirits, and the ladies have a lot to offer through better sensory awareness. Just another reason why NEAT is the ultimate spirits glass.

MDPI Beverage Journal published a significant research report on November 22, 2018, regarding scientific research that led to the design and development of the NEAT glass.  Peer-reviewed by olfactory science researchers, this report validates the superiority and suitability of the NEAT glass for evaluation and drinking enjoyment, and highlights major problems associated with beverage industry support for tulip and snifter-style glassware.  Myth, tradition, and misleading marketing eventually give way to science, truth, and function. In fact, that is exactly why we call it the Ultimate Spirits Glass.

Check it out, Sensation Research performed an independent study of NEAT vs Glencairn vs Snifter.