Glencairn tumblers

Glencairn Crystal, a Scottish family business from East Kilbride, near Glasgow. The company became known worldwide for the Glencairn whisky glass, launched in 2001. The Bothwell belongs to the first glassware ranges from the company's early days. Glencairn also makes the Mixer, the Mixer Cut and the Skye, so alongside a tasting glass you can choose a tumbler from the same maker.

Mouth-blown means that a glassblower shapes the glass by hand rather than a machine pressing it. The pattern is then cut into the crystal and polished by hand. For the Bothwell and the Mixer Cut this is done in 24% lead crystal, which takes a cut well and refracts the light beautifully. Small differences between glasses are part of the process and make each glass unique.

That depends on the model. The standard Mixer in lead-free crystal is dishwasher-safe, although we recommend hand washing there too. Glencairn lists the Bothwell as dishwasher-safe, but for cut lead crystal such as the Bothwell, Skye and Mixer Cut we advise hand washing in warm water with a mild washing-up liquid. That keeps the facets bright and stops the crystal from turning dull over time.

For one person, a single Skye or Mixer Cut in gift packaging is a stylish present, as is the more affordable Mixer in gift packaging. For a couple, choose a set of two: the Mixer, Mixer Cut, Bothwell and Skye are all available as a pair. For those who often have guests, there are Skye sets of four and six glasses in gift packaging.

If you drink whisky in more than one way, yes. The tulip-shaped Glencairn glass is made for nosing and tasting whisky neat; a tumbler is for the relaxed dram with ice, water or a mixer. That is why many whisky lovers keep both in the cupboard: the tasting glass for a new bottle and the tumbler for a familiar favourite or a highball on a warm evening.