Draft:NEAT Glass

The NEAT Glass is a diagnostic vessel designed to improve evaluation and tasting experience of ethanol alcohol spirits, liqueurs and high ethanol fortified wines. NEAT is an acronym for Naturally Engineered Aroma Technology. NEAT is property of Arsilica, Inc., a Nevada-based, woman-owned corporation specializing in sensory science solutions for alcohol beverages, and produced by Rona Corporation, Republic of Slovakia, from EU standard lead-free crystalline. NEAT was co-invented by George F. Manska, a retired automotive engine design engineer, and Christine R. Crnek, a glass coatings specialist. USPTO patented.

The Artisan model was introduced in 2012, Elite in 2018 incorporating a base that serves as a "sink" to collect hand heat, Elegance in 2024 with a tall stem suitable for upscale dining.

Design and Function
Discovered by accident in 2002, a sample created in a glass blowing class was utilized for a spirits tasting when a common tulip glass was unavailable, delivering aromas without the ethanol pungency common to tulips such as copita and Glencairn. Development continued tp determine optimum dimensions and shape until the 2012 release of the first NEAT glass.

Ethanol raises odor detection thresholds, identification, and aroma discrimination thresholds, disrupts voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), suppresses cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel (CNGs) slowing response time of olfactory memory, and ethanol pungency irritates the olfactory epithelium.

Using tulip shapes for spirits diagnostics is commonly justified by two axioms: (1) Small rim areas collect all aromas, so none escape sense of smell. However, most aromas are ethanol molecules which numb olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and their pungency interferes with subtle aroma detection, and (2) Evaporated ethanol and character aroma molecules are randomly mixed and therefore inseparable. However, ethanol can be separated by applying the principle of Graham's Law of Diffusion (Effusion).

NEAT has a much  larger maximum bowl diameter than tulips for vigorous swirling, important to the process of spirit and wine tasting, which releases more aromas for detection.

Diffusing ethanol away from the nose eliminates a major cause of olfactory fatigue, aka "nose blindness,"  allows competition entries over 4 an equal opportunity for fair evaluation, decreases olfactory recovery.

Independent sensory testing comparisons and GCMS studies validate NEAT's ability to separate and dissipate ethanol.

Studies confirm female olfactory sensitivity is 43% higher than male, and the inventors speculate that female "protect and nurture" instincts of childbearing are a natural "caution alarm" and may cause objection to olfactory ethanol pungency in females, possibly and partially explaining dominant male membership in spirits and whiskey clubs.

NEAT glasses are used for sensory evaluation of beverage additives, wine, coffee, olive oil, perfumes, foods and food additives.

Design Awards and Honors

 * 1) 2012: Best Bar Tool by Vegas Seven Magazine
 * 2) 2013: BIN, Beverage Industry News, Editors Choice for Excellence Award
 * 3) 2017: Award of Excellence, 98 rating by Blue Lifestyle Awards
 * 4) 2017: Best Spirits Tasting Glass, Beverage Testing Institute of Chicago
 * 5) 2017: San Diego Spirits Festival Design Excellence Award
 * 6) 2023: Design Distinction Award, PR%F Magazine