Truth, Science: The Path to Better Understanding

Using a Functional Glass is the Key to Understanding Spirits

Forever, truth and science have withstood the test of time. The path to better understanding is based on those two. However, in the spirits industry, science has only recently stepped in with sensory science. We knew that the common tulip glass is the culprit which robs us of accurate evaluation. We, Arsilica, Inc. have introduced the concept of glass geometry to shape aroma delivery for sensory evaluation. In addition, we believe that every spirits evaluator needs a grasp on understanding the basic science.

It is time to discard the old crutches of make-do’s, supposition, and myth. We must entrench science as a solid basis for truth in sensory evaluation of spirits. It has become so with wine, is coming so with beer, and finally, it is here for spirits.

Today’s Accepted but Non-functional Spirits Glass Geometry

For decades the tulip glass, also called copita, has been used as a spirit nosing and tasting glass. Originally borrowed from Spanish sherry, it earned the name “dock glass.” It was used at the wharf to seal the deal as buyers tasted goods to verify quality prior to payment. It was adopted and promoted as the identifying icon of the whisky industry. However, and unfortunately its design is all wrong when it comes to understanding nosing, tasting, and sensory science.

The high ethanol in spirits, renders the tulip glass non-functional for detecting aromas due the tulip’s high concentration of ethanol. Three sniffs and it’s all over. In addition, tulip glasses are not friendly to women’s more sensitive olfactory. However, using a tulip glass designed for 20% ABV sherry with 40%+ ABV spirits creates a nose bomb destroying your sense of smell. Likewise, understanding this concept yields better results.

Keeping the same design parameters to maintain iconic 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. As a result, tulip glasses concentrate alcohol, mask character aromas, and are too tall for the nose to detect complex aromas and quality.

Glass manufacturers mistakenly assume that the spirits industry understands the science of nosing and evaluation, so they keep the same non-functional tulip shapes. This perpetuates high ethanol concentration quickly numbing olfactory senses. Not daring to be different, the glass industry resigned itself to mediocrity of style, ignoring science, function, and the opportunity for innovation.

Truth: Tulip Glasses Concentrate Ethanol and Funnel it to the Nose

Not really new news, since American cocktail glass designers in the 1930’s knew USA booze quality was horrible, and divergent rims would dissipate aromas of poorly made spirits. The alcohol cloud formed by tulip shapes increases difficulty of detecting specific aromas, much less, understanding their significance. Therefore, keeping the tulip was an easy choice. Sadly, it’s the truth.

What’s so bad about alcohol? Simple. It’s an anesthetic which numbs more human olfactory sensors with every sniff. Many drinkers mistakenly believe more alcohol means higher quality. Could that be why cask strength spirits are popular?

The tulip creates a cloud of nose-numbing ethanol forcing the evaluator to hunt for aromas while sniffing more nose-numbing ethanol. Not to mention that detection of all subtle aromas prior to olfactory desensitization becomes impossible with ethanol olfactory fatigue. Understanding the effect of ethanol is key to better tasting and evaluation

Science Creates a New Glass from the Best of Both Shapes

The divergent glass dissipates aromas, and large convergent glass promotes swirling and evaporation yet concentrates aromas. 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). Understanding how diffusion works clarifies why lighter molecules move faster.

The neck begins the separation process and controlled divergence dissipates volatile alcohol to the outer rim away from the nose enhancing detectability of character aromas. Obviously, character aromas tell you what you are drinking; bourbon, scotch whisky, rum, gin, or even vodka, as well as inform you of the truth in spirit quality.

The best of both worlds, aromas squeeze through the neck orifice and diffuse naturally, controlled by the flare angle and height of the rim above the neck. As a result, nose-numbing ethanol separates from the slower moving character aromas (congeners).

Truth about Tall Glasses: Many Aromas Never Reach the Rim for Detection

Each different aroma is a chemical compound with a unique 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. As a matter of fact, this basic truth is 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.

The taller the glass, the further away the nose is from the liquid surface, which is the source of all evaporating aromas.

Truth: Science Separates, Displays Aromas for Better Detection, sans Ethanol

Real science displays all aromas in the NEAT spirits glass, allowing quick and easy detection of the subtleties the distiller intended. No more hunting for aromas that become difficult to identify through the ethanol. 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 and the truth to imply function.

Tulip Glass Aromas are a Guessing Game – No Guessing With NEAT

Truth is, 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 spirits glass displays all character aromas from center to rim edge.

The NEAT Spirits glass surpasses tulip glasses 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. In addition, no other glass provides a convenient “locator” to begin sniffing aromas without nose-numbing ethanol getting in the way.

NEAT is the Ultimate Spirits Glass – Designed by Science

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 and the truth and understanding in its aroma presentation.

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. Together with the pain, it will destroy your sense of smell. Looking back, wouldn’t you rather use a spirits glass that gives you options, displays aromas, shows true quality and protects your sniffer?

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 excludes ladies who don’t want to drink from tulip glasses.

Truth: Gender Equity is a Benefit of the NEAT Glass

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 and understanding.

Sensory Science Research Report

MDPI Beverage Journal published a significant research report on November 22, 2018, regarding scientific research which led to 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. Additionally, it highlights major problems associated with beverage industry support for tulip and snifter-style glassware.  Of course, myth, tradition, and misleading marketing eventually give way to science, truth, function, and deeper understanding of our sensory capabilities. More science and truth HERE.

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