Most of us who prefer drinking spirits straight develop this appreciation later in life. As our palates adapt to the complexities of a good mixed drink, the ingredients start to fall away. A Tom Collins may lead us to a martini, wherein we discover the bracing mix of botanicals that make a good gin a complex and mystical solution in its own right.

And the new, elegant glass supporting your drink adds a touch of sophistication to your night at the bar. Sommeliers will wax poetic over the importance of just the right size and shape of glass for each varietal. They know that, as with cocktails, the correct choice enhances the sensory experience of the contents. But it’s only relatively recently that the same consideration has been applied to straight spirits.

Historically, a heavy-bottomed tumbler has been the catchall for whiskies. The brandy snifter is recognisable from every Golden Age Hollywood film that needed to indicate the wealth of its most snooty characters – just pop one into your antagonist’s hand and have them swirl the contents menacingly, and your audience will know whom to boo.

But neither of these are doing you any favours. The tumbler allows the high concentration of ethanol fumes rising from a glass to overpower the more subtle elements at its heart, assailing the delicate tissues of your sinuses.

The snifter is uniquely dangerous, as its cavernous interior and pinched opening ensure those vapours besiege the honeyed essence of your cognac.

Fortunately, those of us who wish to experience the full beauty of our whiskey now have options. The Austrian manufacturer Riedel began working with a panel of whisky experts in 1992 to design the perfect glass for spirits, introducing it in 1994.

It features a delicately walled and thistle-shaped bowl, allowing for a comfortable swirl while raising the liquid to body temperature, perfect for tasting. It sits atop a short stem and a sturdy base, and its elegantly out-turned lip lets ethanol vapours escape, allowing the delicate sweetness of the contents to shine through.

The Riedel whiskey glass is a splendid addition to a home bar, letting you savour the full delights of your collection of fine spirits.

BY SIMON OGDEN