Zwiesel Glas Bar Premium No. 3

Three items, three roles. The 50 cl whisky decanter is the size that holds most of a bottle, with a stopper that closes the spirit off between one evening and the next. The 75 cl water bottle has a slimmer neck and is made for pouring, not for sealing. The whisky set of three glasses rounds it all off. If you are torn between No. 2 and No. 3, the difference lies in the cut pattern and not in the capacity. See also the wider choice in carafes and decanters.

A decanter is not a place to store, but a place to serve from. Pour over as much as you will drink within a few weeks and leave the rest in the bottle. For a whisky that has been open for a while, decanting actually works in your favour, because the air in the decanter takes the sharp edges off. Fill the glasses no more than a third and hold them near the base. If you want to go beyond neat, a sazerac or a rusty nail are the classics that belong in these.

Tritan crystal glass is the lead-free crystal that Zwiesel Glas works with. It is harder than traditional crystal and keeps its shine even after repeated washing, which matters with cut patterns because dulled facets show up straight away. The decanter and the bottle can go in the dishwasher, but they dry badly in there. Rinse them out and stand them at an angle on a drying rack, so the last drops run out before they can dry in.

The complete range is at Zwiesel Glas, a brand not to be confused with Schott Zwiesel. If you are only after glasses, you will find the shapes side by side at whisky glasses. And to finish off the bar, a jigger for measuring and a sturdy cocktail shaker are the first two purchases you really notice. If you mostly drink neat, the decanter and the glasses alone will already take you a long way.