Special glasses

Because colour steers your expectations. A dark whisky makes you think of sherry casks and age, a pale one of youth and freshness, even though the colour can also come from the cask type or from added colouring. In a well-known French study from 2001, wine tasters described white wine dyed red using terms for red wine. A coloured glass removes that influence, so you rely only on aroma and taste.

Ask someone who is not tasting to pour the whiskies and note which whisky is in which coloured glass. With the set of six colours, each whisky has its own glass. Let everyone nose, taste and guess the style, region, age or strength, and only then reveal what was in the glasses. A theme makes it more exciting, such as six whiskies from one region or one brand at different ages.

The difference lies in the shape. The coloured Glencairn glass has the familiar solid base without a stem and a capacity of 200 ml. The blue Copita has a long stem and a slender 170 ml bowl, the classic blender's shape. Both are made of lead-free crystal and hide the colour of the whisky. Choose the Copita if you prefer holding a stemmed glass.

The Hanyu Glass has a Japanese rotating design with a slim waist: give the glass a light push and it spins gently, setting the whisky in motion and releasing its aromas. It is made of crystal, holds 170 ml and comes with a coaster. An original gift for anyone who already has a cupboard full of classic glasses, perhaps together with a Japanese whisky.

For a small dram of a special whisky. At 67 ml it is a true dram glass for tasting neat, not really intended for a generous pour. The design is inspired by the Jacobite risings in Scotland, and the glass comes in an illustrated box designed by Jim Drysdale. That also makes it a lovely gift for anyone with a passion for Scottish history.