Simple and elegant, the Vinum Single Malt glass is designed to do just one thing.  (photo courtesy of the brand)

It may be a fair measure of a glass’s greatness if it looks inviting when empty. If it makes you long for something exquisite to fill it with. That is the effect, on me, of gazing upon this small piece of affordable art. For a proper vessel for your treasured bottles, I’m not sure it gets any better than Riedel’s Vinum Single Malt Whisky offering. 

The design is nearly 30 years old, the result of a series of workshops the company sponsored in pursuit of perfect beverage containers, and has remained unchanged. “The final product has an elongated thistle shape on a truncated stem,” the company says, “and incorporates a small, slightly outturned lip which highlights sweetness.” You can put it in the dishwasher, if you want. $59 for a pair.