Rocks are not just used for building structures or in jewelry to decorate our bodies. They are now being used in lieu of ice cubes. While fancy ice cubes are still being used to “wow” whisky drinkers at bars, at home these stones are being shown off to friends and family as a godsend that no longer leaves drinks watered down.
However, I’ve always thought that you were allowed to add a finger of water to a glass of whisky. And speaking truthfully, I’m not the most sophisticated of whisky drinkers. An 18-year-old bottle of Chivas Regal has the same burn as your standard bottle of Jameson. Getting the liquid down my throat and into my bloodstream is the main idea. So I have to admit that I’ve tried techniques in order to make whisky and other beverages a bit easier to swallow. The best technique was dilution.
ROCKS CAN BE USED FOR OTHER BEVERAGES - BESIDES WHISKY
Since the stones are rocks, there is not really an expiration date on the amount of time you can keep them. In fact, if you put them in the freezer they become cold in just two hours! That was the first thing I noticed!
While the stones did not cool my drink down as drastically as ice cubes, it definitely did make the glass colder (and heavier) and I could tell the whisky was “chilled.” However, after my nice little finger of whisky, there the stones still were at the bottom of the glass, covered in whisky.
We then poured a little Bailey’s into the glass to test out another liquor and while the cooling effects were noticeable, they weren’t exactly monumental. However, what I liked about using Bailey’s was that it showed me cream and milk based products work very well with these stones. While I may not be a whisky enthusiast, I do drink a lot of milk shakes and smoothies and sometimes am bothered by the water that gathers at the top of the glass. This is another plus.
But, just like with the whisky, after I finished the Baileys I looked down at the bottom of my glass and there they were staring right up at me, three square rocks covered in Baileys. My friend then took my glass, rinsed the access liquid off the rocks and placed them back into the little box they came in.
AN HONEST REVIEW: STONES GOOD FOR “ENTHUSIASTS” BUT ICE STILL WORKS
The Pros:
They get cold faster than ice can freeze if there is no ice made. Since they also won’t melt it won’t dilute drinks. They are cute party favors or gifts that start a conversation.
The Cons:
I thought the maintenance of the stones to be quite annoying. But for now I think I will stick to my freezer-made ice and save the expense for another time.