Final answer:
To smell a spirit, it is best to keep your nose just above the rim of the glass to avoid being overwhelmed by alcohol vapors and to get a balanced aroma. In laboratory settings, smelling chemicals directly is generally avoided; instead, wafting techniques are used for safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
To smell a spirit or any other volatile substance properly, the recommended approach is generally to keep your nose just above the rim of the glass. This is because dipping your nose too deep inside the glass can overwhelm your sense of smell with alcohol vapors, and you might miss the more subtle notes of the spirit. By keeping your nose just above the rim, you can get a balanced aroma that includes both the alcohol and the more complex scents. When you are in a laboratory setting and dealing with chemicals, smelling them directly is often discouraged due to potential health risks. Thus, the technique of wafting or fanning the vapor toward your nose is commonly employed.
When smelling chemicals in a laboratory scenario, it is advised to use the wafting technique, which involves using your hand to gently fan the vapors towards your nose. This is to prevent inhaling any potentially harmful substances directly. It is always crucial to work in a well-ventilated room and to follow all safety protocols, such as keeping a safe distance from the substance and never smelling, tasting, or touching chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.