Whiskey stone?

[Father Bill]

I have them and am experimenting with them. They're fun if nothing else, because most folks have never heard of them.

The problem with ice to me, (and yes, I do like my drinks a mite cooler) is that while it will give you the drop or two of water to start, as they melt they dilute the whisky far beyond what I want. What I'm experimenting with is one or two drops of water and the stones in my glass.

To be seen!

[glenlivet]

(If you can't tell yet I am one of the skeptics of the "add a little water" school of scotch whisky drinking). Most whisky afficionados will tell you that chilling/cooling the whiskey will actually hide the flavors therein

hence my qualifier that I was mostly referring to the use of the stones with bourbons and other, er, "lesser" libations

[Brett]

If you drink your single malt with ice, buy a litre of distilled water and use it in the ice trays you use to make your ice for scotch.

tap water, and even spring water can throw off the taste of your single malt.

[SoSelkirk]

As a resident in an area where granite is particularly plentiful, it may be wise to test your 'rocks' for radon before putting them into something you take into your body.

It may be possible to place them in a glass jar with a radon tester to see if there is a risk.

We routinely test homes that have basements or slab on grades for high levels. Even too much granite tile or countertops can elevate your risk of radon contamination.

[azwildcat96]

I wonder how many of these have been swallowed after consuming too much Whisky?

[glenlivet]

As a resident in an area where granite is particularly plentiful, it may be wise to test your 'rocks' for radon before putting them into something you take into your body.

heh, it's alcohol, not baby formula. The longterm risks to my liver are probably higher, even given light-to-moderate consumption.

Oh, and I also realized it's soapstone, not granite.

[sevenoaks]

I always put a scant table spoon of cold water into the "double" single malt Scotch. I keep the water in the refrigerator and it is run through an activated charcoal filter to remove any chlorine and other off flavors. (Brita water filter)
I find if I use an ice cube it dilutes the whiskey as it melts, waters it down too much and adds a strange off flavor to the Aqua Vita.
A little water dose bring out some subtle qualities of the better Scotches like Lagavulin. I do not find it dose much for the blended Scotches.
A cold stone... may as well keep the bottle in the refrigerator...NOT.

[AFS1970]

I have seen these rocks and wondered about them, they always looked a little porous in the pictures. I suppose I will wait to see if they come as a gift and not spend my own money on them.

On a semi related note, I joined the Makers Mark Ambassadors club which now sends me a Christmas gift each year. Last year's was an ice tray that makes two ice balls. These are spherical pieces of ice somewhat larger than the average ice cube. The paperwork claims that it has less surface area and thus melts slower diluting the bourbon less. I am not sure how well this theory holds up, but I would guess it would work on any spirit just as well.

[Mickey]

I've seen these and wondered why anyone would pay money for something they could find in their yard. It's a rock. Find some stones in your yard, wash them, freeze them, and toss them in your drink. That said, for cheap Scotch, I use an ice cube. For good Scotch, I put in a couple of drops of water. That's it.