The Niall 干邑酒杯 by Tiago Russo and Katia Martins

The Niall 干邑酒杯 by Tiago Russo and Katia Martins is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 廚具設計 Competition Category.

銀廚具· 2024

The Niall 干邑酒杯

by Tiago Russo and Katia Martins

Client: Milesians Craft Glassware Co.

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 廚具 Category

55,328

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #160015

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About The Niall 干邑酒杯

Niall係一款專為提升聞香同品鑑體驗而設計嘅干邑酒杯。酒杯採用鈉鈣玻璃製造,呢種物料能夠吸收酒液散發嘅乙醇蒸氣。杯底設有一個名為「漩渦點」(Vortex Point)嘅錐形凹位,可以控制斟酒時嘅酒液流向並形成漩渦。杯身球形部分內外弧線嘅設計能夠減慢蒸氣上升速度,令杯壁有更多時間吸收乙醇蒸氣。厚實嘅杯底配合升高嘅杯柄,令使用者可以舒適握持而唔會令酒液升溫。乙醇蒸氣減少之後,品酒者就能夠感受到更豐富嘅香氣同風味。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

The Niall 干邑酒杯是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計The Niall 干邑酒杯將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。The Niall 干邑酒杯是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The design of the glassware plays on gravity and geometry to enhance the absorption of the ethanol vapour into the soda-lime glass. At the base of the glass, a conical-shaped depression sits, waiting for the whiskey to be poured, controlling the flow. The bulb design complements and encourages this dissipation, by creating a chamber and more wall space for the ethanol vapour to be transferred to, whilst a thick base and stem allow a comfortable grip without heating the liquid.
Dimensions & Packaging: In order to enhance the shaping and drinking experience, soda-lime glass was chosen as the main material as its amorphous molecular structure allows it to absorb the ethanol, leaving less vapour for the nose. The molecules in soda-lime glass are in constant movement, meaning it more readily absorbs the ethanol vapour from the liquid. The profile of the glass itself was built around this capability, by creating curvatures that promote a liquid flow that facilitates ethanol absorption.
Tags: Cognac, luxury, design, craftsmanship, experience, immersion, glass, product, exclusive, drinking
Production Technology: With scent responsible for around 80% of the perception in taste and experience of flavour, the focus when designing the Niall was to remove the ethanol vapour that hinders this same experience. By triggering the nerves in the nose and creating a burning sensation, this vapour detracts from the true flavours and enjoyment of the cognac.

In removing and lessening the effect of the ethanol, the drinker can appreciate the full complexity of flavour and layers of taste generally masked by the vapour.
Design Challenge: The main challenge when developing The Niall glass was to design a product that can truly assist in removing the ethanol vapour and subsequent burn from the cognac drinking experience. From the initial inhalation of the aroma to the last sip, the flavours must be as intended; richly complex, intriguing, and vibrant. The ultimate goal is for the drinker to detect more of the phenolic compounds and flavours that would otherwise have been hindered by the overpowering ethanol in any other glass.
Research: For such a competitive and complete field such as glassware, an exhaustive and extensive research was crucial not just to understand the market itself, but the science that could improve the performance of the cognac. A combination of scientific studies and design techniques over the ages led to the definition of a product that could clearly dissipate the ethanol effect in the drink, leaving only the phenol compounds, guaiacol and eugenol, and the pure cognac notes to scent and taste.
Inspiration: The Niall was conceived to elevate the nosing and tasting experience to the heights demanded by the cognac's complex profiles. Eighteen months of scientific research were poured into the design, resulting in cognac glasses that have revolutionised the experience, by merging science and design into achieving a product that alters the ethanol effects by absorbing it through the glass properties, whilst following a specific shaping and pouring vortex that fully enhances nosing and flavours.
Project Duration: Developed for over 24 months, and tested and prototyped in several iterations to achieve the perfect shaping, design, ergonomics and performance, all the way to performance testing, The Niall glass was a revolutionising exercise over two years that led to a full product development that can fully revolutionise not only the cognac market, but the perception of such spirit to its core, where a finer detail can now be perceived tasting this type of drink.
Operation Flow: Once the liquid hits the bottom of the glass in its Vortex Point, a swirl is created, spinning the ethanol down to the base and out to the sides of the glass where the vapour can be absorbed into the walls. As the aroma continues its journey up the glass, the bulb arches in-and-out in a chicane-like curve, slowing the movement of the ethanol. In doing so it allows the glass time to absorb more of the vapour as it makes its way towards the nose, whilst an elevated stem promotes an optimal grip.
Patents: Worldwide patent and design registry attributed to Tiago Russo and Katia Martins for the science and design behind the glass.
Team Members: Tiago Russo
Katia Martins
Image Credits: The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.