At the recent Nightclub & Bar Conference in Las Vegas I had the pleasure to attend a seminar lead by Georg Riedel. What a treat, not only did I learn first hand from a Master about fine glassware and how it enhances all types of spirits, but I learned how the Reidel family figured it all out. Said Greog to my question, “We’ve been doing this a long time”. And they have, the family run Austrian company has been making glass for 11 generations of Riedels, over 250 years.

The tasting ran through 5 glasses and three spirits. The glassware consisted of a plastic cup, and ordinary brandy snifter and a Riedel Scotch, Cognac and Tequila glass. The specialized glasses bring out the unique flavor profile of each spirit. The spirits we tasted were Patron Silver Tequila, Hennessy VSOP and Talisker 12 Year Single Malt Scotch.

We were first asked to try each spirit in the plastic cup, ok kinda blah. Not bad, but not great. Next came the brandy snifter supplied by the caterers. We were told this glass was designed to withstand being tossed against the wall, not for drinking fine cognac. The cognac was better in this glass than the plastic cup, but it is not much of a competition.

We then moved on to the Riedel glasses. Each is designed to bring our the unique flavors of the spirit. This is achieved through an combination of height, diameter and shape of the glass bowl. The height of the stem is purely aesthetic. First by trying cognac from each of the three glasses. It was incredible how the same Hennessy VSOP tasted in the three different glasses. Of course the most pleasing of the three samples came from the cognac glass. All the fruity goodness and none of the harsh alcohol were detected. We repeated the exercise with the Takisker and Patron with similar results each time.

Of course, your not going to use these for a cocktail, but for sipping the finer cognacs, single malt scotch and tequilas. However, if you enjoy drinking the fine spirits and want to experience then the way they were meant to be, invest in a set of Riedel glasses.

They’ve been doing this a long time.

Riedel Glas Austria

Buy Riedel Bar Glasses Here

This Black Box bar gadget set looks smooth.

It includes a cocktail “compass” that gives common cocktail recipes, a two-sided jigger, a corkscrew, a wine collar, a wine and a spirits pouring spout and a foil cutter.

Whether you buy it for your own bar or give it as a stylish housewarming gift, this bar set is pretty slick.

Bar Gadget Set @ Crate & Barrel

The Bottle ‘Biner is the three-in-one tool I had no idea I needed. But I do need it. Thanks to the fine folks at FRED, there is one handy gadget that serves as a corkscrew, bottle opener and carabiner.

Now you’ll be prepared to go on that beer and wine nature hike you’ve always wanted to plan. You’re welcome.

(Hopefully unnecessary disclaimer: You can attach this handy carabiner to your backpack, belt or purse, and that seems pretty neat. What you cannot do is use it while climbing or use it as a part of your safety system. So don’t do that. It’s just for fun, folks.)

Bottle ‘Biner by Fred @ X-treme Geek

On the lookout for cool barware, I found the Nambe Tilt collection. This unique glassware will add flare to any home bar.

Nambe Tilt Barware

The Wine and Liquor Accelerator claims to age a drink three years in 10 seconds and 20 years in three minutes. So if you’re too impatient to let your wine or spirits breathe before drinking … maybe let it sit for one three seconds?

Could this be the cheapest way to enjoy perfectly aged booze during times of belt-tightening?

Wine and Liquor Accellerator @ SkyMall

James Bond, the epitome of style and sophistication, always insists his martinis should be “shaken, not stirred.” However, that preference may well be a sign of his rebellious nature more than his command of the cocktail. Traditionally, martinis are stirred … and for good reason.

Many experts dismiss the idea that shaking “bruises the gin.” But they do note that while shaking makes for a colder martini, it also dilutes the martini and gives it a cloudy appearance. So for a clear, strong martini — stirring is the way to go. (For extra credit, you can read more about this from noted mixologist Robert Hess.)

Dorset Martini Mixer
Zwello Martini Mixer with Spoon
Michael C. Fina Martini Pitcher with Stirrer
Calvin Klein Pulse Martini Pitcher with Stirrer
Crate and Barrel Martini Pitcher/Stirrer
Lynn Chase Monkey Business Martini

Give the gift of great cocktails! Here are some bar necessities under $20 that make perfect gifts for the beginning bartenders in your life. (And I’m just getting started! Keep checking back for more gift ideas.)

For about $13, “The Mr. Boston” Platinum Edition is a great gift for budding mixologists and cocktail aficionados. Mr. Boston recipes have never steered me wrong, and the platinum edition has over 1,500 recipes as well as tips and advice from the pros.

This 7-piece bar set has the tools every bar should have, packaged together in an ice bucket. It’s a good-looking and practical gift for any home bartender.

Fresh citrus juice is essential in many great cocktails. Fresh juice just tastes much much better! This squeezer is by far the easiest and least-messy one I’ve ever used.

It’s not a bar if you can’t make a martini. Vermouth is  a bar staple, and it does matter what kind you get. I like Vya extra dry vermouth. It’s made with whole dried herbs (rather than artificial flavoring or oils) … and it’s a difference you can taste.