Now if you are the man at the bar and you had the choice of Whiskey Stones or an ice block, what would you do?Įither way, do yourself a favor and get some whiskey on the rocks, you'll be glad you did. However, ice gives you a better chill factor, do not take forethought to use, and is always a classic. In the conversation of Whiskey Stones vs ice, the final decision is based upon the preference of the drinker. Whiskey stones do an effective job of chilling your drink for extended periods and give a better aesthetic to your glass. The Verdict of Whiskey Stones vs Ice Cubes And then as it dilutes the whiskey, depending on the minerals in the water that can affect the overall experience as well. Think old freezer filtration system smell. Whiskey stones do an effective job of chilling your drink for extended periods and give a better aesthetic to your glass. Ice is also porous, which means that other aromas and flavors can seep into the ice and affect the taste of your drink. The dilution causes the altering of the whiskey flavor. To others though, the ice melting and diluting the whiskey are egregious. Some people prefer to have their drink diluted. No pun intended.įor whiskey drinkers who do not mind having a bit of water mixed with their whiskey, this is okay. And even though they help to maintain a constant temperature for longer, whiskey stones can never be as col d as ice. When the ice is put in your drink, it absorbs the heat, and the ice melts. Ice helps to chill the whiskey to the best temperature that the drinker prefers. Traditionally, ice has been used to chill Whiskey to its optimal drinking temperature which is between 15 to 18 degrees Celsius (60-65 degrees Fahrenheit). But this is both positive and negative because the glass must sit for a few minutes for the chill to circulate in the drink. However, ice cubes stay colder for longer because the melting ice continues to keep the drink cool whereas whisky stones keep the heat inside them which quickly. Whiskey stones do not melt, thus they make for a more sustained chill to your drink. They are made to maintain their desired chill for a longer period than ice. Not so with these whiskey rocks, as they do not add any negative flavors to your drink because it is a nonporous rock.

One of the biggest issues of ice is dilution, which can negatively impact the taste of the whiskey. Whiskey stones are usually made of soapstone but can also be made of granite (a type of igneous rock that is also nonporous) and stainless steel. Ive heard it (only half jokingly) theorized that whiskey stones were invented by non-whiskey drinkers so they could purchase them as gifts for their whiskey drinking friends. Whiskey stones are simply chiseled pieces of stone that are chilled and made to take the place of ice. Sticking your glass in the freezer for 5 minutes before serving would work just as well, if not better. If you are new to the debate, chances are you don't even know what whiskey stones are. bartender Ben Wald, add a bit of experimentation to the mix to see how temperature affects the wine or spirit. Traditional ice is better at chilling your drink more quickly. Good to Know: When using whiskey stones in any drink, says Washington, D.C. In essence, it’s a contrast in the time it takes to cool your drink. They both have their pros and cons in this regard. So grab a glass and let's find out the pros and cons of using whiskey stones vs using classic ice. Cooling Efficiency You may presume that both whiskey stones and ice will cool down a drink in the exact same way but it’s not really true. If you are this man, then whiskey stones vs ice is a debate you haven't even heard of. 'What is this?' you ask the bartender, and he proceeds to tell you all about whiskey stones and how they are better than ice. Instead of ice, there's a black circle in your drink. The bartender finally brings you the whiskey you've waited forever for. It's been a long day and you need that drink. He proceeds to make your order as you wait patiently, looking around and taking in the atmosphere of the establishment. The bartender asks what you'll have, and you say, 'Whiskey on the rocks'. As well as any news articles or bourbon related internet things.So you're at your favorite bar - the lights are low, and you can hear the clanging of billiards as music plays in the background. R/Whisky r/WorldWhisky r/Scotch /r/Whiskyporn Whisky Network GuideĪll Discussions and Reviews of Bourbon, Rye, and/or any American Whiskey are welcome and encouraged(yes, even Jack).

Are whiskey stones better than ice