what's the best glass?

I've used a lot of different glasses. I've found that while shape is certainly important, lead content is especially crucial to research...not only can it be drawn out from the glass by what you pour inside it, but it effects the way it noses (which as you may know, aromas do effect taste because the olfactory system connects perceptions of scents to flavors). What I recommend when shopping for glasses, is to hit thrift stores and retailers who sell single glasses and buy all sorts of shapes and sizes to play around with. Once you find one you really like, then search online to determine what kind of glass it is (posting pics on forums is great help), then buy a nice set...it pays to spend a little more IMHO-- go for quality, not decoration ;) I mainly use stemmed and stemless glencairns, snifters, tumblers, and occasionally, a white wine glass. I had a custom hand blown glass with a very unique shape...unfortunately I broke it. Many different shapes of white wine glasses may be of interest...I like the cortas. Also have used specialized glasses: some for palate delivery, others with covers for intense nosing, some for handwarming. Oh, I also find port glasses preferable in some rarer cases. When shopping thrift stores, do be cautios of anything that looks like it might have had an original intended purpose other than a drinking glass-- ie; candle holders, small vases ect... which can look like it would be a good shape-- but there's a fair chance that it may not be safe to drink out of due to harmful components that can be leached out into your liquid. Another great way is to ask your forum members to post pics of any unusual glasses they have (and where to find them). I'll put it this way, if I'm going to pour a $40 dram of a 25 year old Scotch, you can bet I will know exactly which glass to use ;) just gotta experiment...but I agree, a glencairn is a good and safe place to start expediently. -Aaron