Zwiesel Glas Bar Premium No. 2

The series consists of three items that complement each other rather than making you choose. The 50 cl whisky decanter holds more than two-thirds of a standard bottle, enough for an evening without having to refill halfway through. The 75 cl water bottle stands next to it for the water traditionally served with whisky. The three-piece whisky set includes the matching glasses, so the bar is complete in one go. If you want to compare it with other shapes, view the broader range of whisky glasses and the decanters.

Only pour whisky into the decanter if you will drink it within a few weeks, because in a decanter the spirit comes into contact with more air than in the bottle. For serving over an evening, this works to your advantage: the sharpest alcohol notes evaporate and the sweeter aromas come forward. Fill the glasses one or two fingers high and place a small glass of water beside them, so everyone can dilute it to taste. The same glasses also work for an old fashioned or a manhattan with ease.

Zwiesel Glas makes this range in Tritan crystal glass, a lead-free crystal in which titanium and zirconium provide hardness and shine. That makes the glass able to handle the dishwasher and the dull haze that hard water leaves on ordinary crystal. Rinse the decanter with lukewarm water after use and let it drain upside down. Water left standing in the base creates a ring of limescale within a few days that is hard to remove.

The full range from this brand is available at Zwiesel Glas, which is separate from Schott Zwiesel even though they share a history. If you're only looking for a decanter without any cut glass, take a look at the decanters. And for those furnishing the rest of the bar, a good jigger and a long bar spoon are more useful than yet another glass. Once the whisky is in the decanter, the rest of the evening is mainly a matter of ice and patience.