What are Whiskey Stones? We’ve Got the Lowdown.

The Ultimate Guide to Whiskey Stones

When it comes to drinking trends that can weather the storm, whiskey stones have miraculously floated to the top. They’ve been on shelves for almost a decade now, and though they once occupied only a small space in the whiskey tasting toolbox, they’ve now moved front and center, standing tall alongside crystal rocks glasses and angostura bitters. Some purists may be concerned about altering or even potentially tainting the flavor of their favorite liquor; however, with whiskey stones, they do not need to worry. Whiskey stones simply chill the drink, without watering down, over-cooling, or altering the flavor in any way. In this guide we will cover all the various types of whiskey stones, what they are, how do use them, and the dos and don’ts. So sit back, grab a glass of your favorite bourbon or scotch and read on.

What are Whiskey Stones?

What are whiskey stones made of? They are traditionally made of non-porous soapstone or more recently stainless steel versions have also become popular. These stones can be chilled to keep your drink cold without diluting the drink itself. They are a deceptively simple bar tool that perfectly blends form, function, and a whiskey drinker’s affinity for timelessness.

Whiskey stones, or whiskey rocks, are small cubes of clean, cut natural stone (typically soapstone) used to chill whiskey and other spirits. These stones, available in a variety of sizes, are designed to be stored in the freezer, and added to straight shots of whiskey, bourbon, or scotch, in order to chill them without the risk of diluting the drink. Typically these soapstone stones will lower your drink 15-20 degrees. However, the best whiskey stones for keeping drinks ice cold are the ones that are made of stainless steel. These chilling stones of steel have gel inside them that freezes allowing them to stay colder longer than traditional stones. However many purists would swear regular soapstone whiskey stones are the best. To that we say, to each their own.

While it’s true that different drinkers have varying preferences, including some who prefer to have a little water added to their drink, stainless steel whiskey stones such as this set create the possibility to quickly lower the temperature, while preserving unadulterated straight-from-the-bottle taste. Since good whiskey is aged over many years, a nice bottle isn’t cheap. Maintaining the distilleries desired balance for flavors is important, and too much water can lead to a watered down taste. Whiskey stones eliminate any and all danger of too much moisture, and still give you a tasty, chilled beverage.

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Redefining “On the Rocks”

Whisky stones appeared in the first decade of the new century, around 2007. They were originally made exclusively from soapstone, a naturally occurring metamorphic rock. Soapstone is the perfect type of rock to make a whiskey stone, due to its soft composition. Once the stones have been cut and tumbled to remove sharp edges, a whiskey stone can be placed in a glass without the worry of scratches or breakage. Throughout history, soapstone has been used to create many types of kitchen ware, from mixing bowls, to fireplace surrounds, to sculpted works of art, so it’s a natural fit inside an Old Fashioned glass of whiskey. Some soapstone whiskey stones feature a semi-polished finish, retaining the muted look of natural rock. Others are highly polished, with a shiny, slick black surface. Both types of finishing work equally well, so it comes down to the individual drinkers preference in looks.

Whiskey stones also make enjoying a cold drink easier than before, especially when they come with unique whiskey glasses like this. Prefer a chilled whiskey but didn’t put the bottle in the fridge or freezer? Simply drop a few of the soapstones into your glass and you’ve got pure unadulterated and chilled whiskey without having to add ice and risk watering down your expensive bottle of Glenmorangie Signet or Michter’s.

Related: Best Whiskey Glasses

New Innovations

There are those that prefer certain types of stones over others. For example, the connoisseurs who prefer stones made of steel versus natural soapstone claim that the steel stones stay colder for far longer. This is true for some stainless steel stones because they have a freezable gel inside that stays frozen for a bit longer than stones made of actual stone or solid stainless steel. Some whiskey lovers even prefer their stainless steel whiskey rocks to be crafted into unique shapes, such as the bullet shaped whiskey stones included in this set. These badass whiskey stones are incredibly cool and, of course, will make your whiskey cool, too!

Over the last decade or so that whiskey rocks have been around, new ideas have been introduced that offer high levels of style and usefulness. Each drinker now has the option of using a few small whiskey rocks, or one large whiskey stone to add to their glass. Large, round whisky stones are available, paying tribute to the sister 21st century trend, round ice cubes. Stainless steel whiskey stones are also being made, which offer the handsome look of brushed silver. Many scotch drinkers however prefer the stainless steel cubes because of the brightness it brings to their tumbler and how it chills their drink.

Another huge advantage of whiskey stones is that they work in every glass imaginable. Unlike ice molds or other chilling methods, the small stones are perfect for every kind of glass from an old-fashioned to a Glencairn, you get to choose exactly how you want to experience your chilled drink.

While most whiskey stones are either cubical or spherical, you’ll see more unique shapes like this set! Technically called tetradecagons, these stones have 14 sides each. The unique shape is largely for aesthetics as these stones are made of Basalt, but the increased surface area will help keep your drinks cooler for longer than some cubical stones. These are often called “diamond whiskey stones” because they’re somewhat shaped like a classic diamond. They’re a little bigger and heavier than traditional whiskey rocks, so you won’t need as many in your drink either.

How to use Whiskey Stones

Using this innovative drink accessory is very simple. Simply place in the freezer for 4 or more hours. When you are ready to drink, place your desired number of whiskey stones into your glass (or glasses, as the case may be). Reach for your favorite bottle of bourbon, scotch, or blended whiskey, and pour as usual. Wait a minute or two for the temperature of your drink to go down, and poof! You’re ready to sip. The best whiskey stones will last a lifetime, so it’s worth the investment.

FAQ

How long do whiskey stones last?

Whiskey stones will last a lifetime. However if you’re wondering how long they will chill your drink, whiskey stones are typically good for chilling one to two drinks before needing to be re-chilled in the freezer. Buy a set of 9 or more so you can chill multiple drinks.

Are whiskey stones safe to use?

Whiskey stones are made of inert soapstone so yes they are safe to use in all drinks. All they do is conduct/transfer heat without changing the whiskey or flavor

Do whiskey stones work?

Yes and no. If you intention is to make your drink colder then yes whiskey stones work great. If your intention is to have a drink that’s ice cold then you’re best to stick with a big ice cube or stainless steel stones. Traditional soapstone whiskey stones are made to take the edge off the drink lowering the temperature 15-20 degrees for those whiskey enthusiasts who don’t want to dilute their bourbon, whiskey, or scotch. They are a classic way to cool your whiskey but are not the same as ice. Each has it’s own place in your home bar.

Do you wash whiskey stones after use?

Yes, always wash your stones with warm water after use so they don’t transfer flavor to your next drink. You can soak them in a cup for 15-30 minutes with tiny bit of soap, then wash with clean water and air dry before putting back in the freezer.

Where do you keep whiskey stones?

Keep them in the freezer until you are ready to use them.

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