Whisky stones

[Rivguy]

I enjoy a dram of single malt from time to time and I prefer to take it neat. This is my preference with bourbon whiskey as well. I was discussing this with a friend and I brought up the topic of whisky stones (I believe made of soapstone) and granite "ice cubes". I know little about them other than they exist. The concept intrigues me but I am very careful about what I put in my drink. Some how I think that I get a whiff of snake oil in the air.

Do any of you gents have any experience with either of these products?

Thank you,

Doug

 

[mr_economy]

Funny you post this, my girlfriend gave me a set of these for my birthday this summer and I've been meaning to post a review of them on here.

I'll put something more formal together later, but here are my initial thoughts:

They really do work in terms of cooling effect, but for a limited amount of time. The directions say to fill the glass only as high as the rocks for best cooling effect, and when I filled to a height of two stones in my Glencairn B&B glass, my scotch was slightly but noticeably chilled for about 30 minutes. The stones have no smell and don't change the taste aside from whatever impact the cooler temperature has.

I don't know off hand how much they cost, but they're sure nice to have around for those times when I want my whisky a little chilled without being diluted.

 

[BigRich]

We've discussed it before.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=84134&highlight=stones

They weren't viewed as any more than a gimmick for the most part.

 

[krevo]

They run about 20 dollars a set. My friend has some, and I've tested them out.

They're kinda gimmicky. They don't really cool all that well. Might take your dram down below room temp but not for very long.

 

[DE Shaver]

They run about 20 dollars a set. My friend has some, and I've tested them out.

They're kinda gimmicky. They don't really cool all that well. Might take your dram down below room temp but not for very long.

This makes sense because the specific heat capacity of stone is much lower than water. In addition, the specific melting heat of ice at the freezing mark is quite high. This property makes ice more resistant to melting.

 

[wolfmanxiii]

SWMBO got me a set of these a while back, but I have yet to use them. I really should though.

 

[stobes21]

You're better off taking the $20 or so you'd spend on a couple of rocks and buy a better bottle of whisk(e)y that you don't need or want to chill.

If you want to chill your whiskey without watering it down you could always just use a heavy tumbler/rocks glass and stick it in the freezer for a while before you pour your dram. Should cool it down pretty quick as long as you aren't pouring too much.

 

[DogHair]

I think they're great. Chills the whisky slightly without watering it down. Won't make it "ice cold" if that's your preference. If you would like a little water you can add some and it doesn't continue to dilute as the ice melts. I use mine frequently.

 

[Rivguy]

Thank you for all your input gents. I have thought about these for quite some time but have never purchased or used them. Perhaps I am not enamored by the thought of a foreign object in my drink. And then there is the unsettling issue of lumps of rocks rattling about in my Waterford glass as I swirl the liquid. To my way of thinking, when I settle down to enjoy a dram or a splash, it is about enjoying the moment and the presentation along with the drink of choice. I fully understand YMMV.

Thanks again,

Doug

 

[Mazeman]

One reason people don't drink single malts on the rocks (besides the watering-down) is that chilling the whisky prevents the release of some of the aromatic esters. If a stone is meant to chill a whisky (even slightly) it then seems to defeat that purpose.

Heck, brandy/cognac snifters are designed so that the warmth of your hand helps release some of the beautiful aroma. I vote "gimmicky". If I want something cold, I'll drink it on the rocks... meaning ice.