The right glass
A tumbler is for drinking; a tulip-shaped glass — the Glencairn is the standard — is for tasting. Its wide bowl lets aromas rise and its narrow rim funnels them to your nose. The difference is not subtle: the same whisky can seem mute in a tumbler and eloquent in a Glencairn.
Ice numbs. For tasting, skip it — cold shuts aromas down. For enjoying on a warm evening, ice away; nobody's judging.