Here's The Right Way To Use Whiskey Stones

It's often said that whiskey is enjoyed best at room temperature, but that term is subjective. The truth is that all the intricate and subtle flavors lingering in the glass can be more easily detected when the spirit is between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. So, unless you live in an especially brisk area, this is generally colder than where you like to kick back and relax.

The most obvious way to chill whiskey is to sip it with ice, but this can dilute the drink over time. To find out if there is a better way to cool it so you can taste whiskey like a pro, we reached out to experts in the field. Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder are the co-founders of Lodestar Whiskey, and they clued us into a gadget designed to bring your liquor to the ideal temperature — whiskey stones.

Whiskey stones are constructed from stainless steel or soapstone, so they won't melt. "Whiskey stones basically soak up the heat from your room temp whiskey," von Schroder explained. However, while they can lower the temperature of your spirit, they won't keep going and going. Von Schroder said, "They'll cool it down a bit pretty fast, but once the stones warm up, your drink won't stay cool for long!"

How cold should the stones be? That's not an exact science. When asked if there is an ideal temperature they should reach before gracing your glass, Axster said it's "probably best to freeze them overnight to make sure they're cold enough."

When whiskey stones first hit the market in the mid-2000s, they were primarily soapstone accessories without much decorative fanfare. Today, they have evolved to meet the desires of a wider market. You can find stones that mimic ice cubes, spheres, diamonds, and more intricate designs like skulls (perfect for chilling your own whiskey flights on Halloween). They all work under the same basic concept of cooling your spirit quickly; some just have more flair.

Understanding that whiskey stones are straightforward contrivances made from simple materials, we were curious whether they could be warmed for an alternate intent. However, according to Axster, this isn't necessarily a great idea. When asked if they could be heated to make a comforting hot toddy, she simply said, "We can't recommend warming up your whiskey stones."

So much for diversifying the use of an innovative novelty item. Still, when used for its intended purpose, a whiskey stone can be a visually appealing and inventive way to tease out the subtle flavors in the spirit without diluting it. There is nothing wrong with sipping bourbon or Scotch on the rocks, of course, But if you plan to enjoy it slowly over the course of an evening, these products of human ingenuity will help you avoid sipping on whiskey-flavored water.