Whiskey stones: what they are and why they are needed
The culture of whiskey consumption has been enriched with a new interesting auxiliary attribute. This accessory is nothing more than a whiskey cooling stone.
The idea appeared in the United States in 2007 with the light hand of Mr. Andrew Hellman, a man who is notable not only for his love of the drink, but also for his extraordinary thinking.
Why you need whiskey stones
It's all about the ice. Several of these cubes are often placed in a glass of whiskey to give the drink the canonical temperature of 17-18 °C (62.6-64.4 °F).
However, when the ice interacts with a warm substance, it naturally begins to melt, resulting in not only a chilled but also a slightly diluted drink.
In the case of more or less unpretentious whiskey varieties, whose aging period does not exceed six years, this circumstance does not play a special role; but when it comes to drinks of a more solid age, the addition of any foreign liquids, including water, is almost equated with sacrilege by many admirers of real malt masterpieces...
Cooling stones come in different shapes and colors.
At the same time, there are situations when whiskey that is too warm needs to be cooled down to muffle the alcohol flavor, which causes significant damage to the flavor of the drink. Whiskey stones are designed for such occasions. Andrew Hellman's invention makes it possible to properly lower the temperature of a liquid in a glass while maintaining its original composition.
What are whiskey stones
Whiskey stones are small cubes or disks that are of mineral origin. At the same time, there is a separate modification in the form of special balls made of stainless steel.
The defining qualities of the materials used to make them (classic steatite or soapstone, less popular granite and shungite, exquisite jade or stainless steel) are the ability to maintain their own temperature for a long time and the complete absence of chemical interaction with alcohol.
It should be noted that among the supporters of the use of stones for whiskey, there are already conservatives who exclusively recognize steatite, which does not scratch the glass, and extravagant connoisseurs who use products made of manufactured and precious stones (for example, jade).
Using stones for whiskey
The first step is to wash your purchase thoroughly in warm water. Then put the stones (or balls) in the freezer, where they should stay for at least two hours.
When serving whiskey, you should use classic wide-bottomed glasses, such as rocks or old fashioned.
As a rule, three to four stones will be enough to cool 50 milliliters of whiskey.
After use, the stones should be washed well again with warm water.
Cooling "pebbles" made of steel do their job as well as natural pebbles.
Storage of whiskey stones
The whiskey stones or balls can be kept in the freezer or at zero temperature all the time, taking them out as needed.
A small bag made of linen or cotton fabric will serve as an ideal container for stones.
Following the above rules will allow you to get the most out of this simple, yet ingenious know-how that is gradually conquering the world.
Update: 12.02.2016
Category: Whiskey and Bourbon