Snifter

A nosing glass (of English. Nose = nose, also tasting glass of Engl. Key = taste ) is a special glass for tasting of spirits. Traditionally used in the tasting of single malt whiskeys, the glass is often preferred as a normal drinking vessel to enjoy pure spirits, for example, Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, brandy, tequila or rum

Its shape are nosing glasses with a tulip Sherry comparable, but often bulbous in shape. This flavor may travel in the belly, and is by the upwardly tapering form focus of the nose fed. The liquid can be easily swung in the glass, in order to promote the development of flavors, but thereby also escapes more alcohol and covers finer nuances. The thin, colorless glass makes the color classification and measurement of the viscosity of the spirit.

Single malt whiskeys are slightly drunk at a temperature below room temperature and compared with the thinner glass for the whiskey tumbler can be a good temperature with your hand. When Cognac has the narrow nosing glass, which is common for a long time in France, meanwhile, prevailed over the snifter as the preferred drinking and tasting vessel. Due to the longer stem of the nosing glass can be prevented from being heated too much Cognac in hand, also go through the smaller opening compared to the large swivel less flavorings lost.

In wine samples also small tasting glasses are used in this area is called but rather by tasting or tasting glasses.

Due to the above properties of greater nosing glasses are increasingly being used for the tasting of specialty beers. Mostly for beers with an alcohol content of about 8%, such as stout or Double India Pale Ale.