Does anyone actually use Whiskey stones?

[El Presidente]

It is getting closer to Christmas and I am bound to receive a set of Whiskey stones again. I think I must have five or six  gifted sets laying around but have never introduced any of the said stones into my daily/weekly ritual. For me, there is something simply real/tangible about the traditional (and possibly boring).... ice cube. 

Does anyone actually use  whiskey stones on a regular basis? I am sure there are members that do and feel free to extol their virtues. 

 

[BrightonCorgi]

We like most people who own them, got them as a gift in a Christmas swap. They "work", just as keeping the booze in the freezer works too.

Gimmick if you want my take.

[PartagasIV]

Just a pet rock that you drown. I'll take a good sphere/cube any day.

[BG318]

Best uses

1. Shirley Temple with Luxardo Cherries 

2. Courvoisier VS and Diet Coke. 

 

 

[my happy place]

I received a set for Christmas over 10 years ago. Used them once and never used them again. I've completely forgotten about them until this post and have no idea where they are right now.

[ha_banos]

Now I'm worried...

[MagicalBikeRide]

Nah - same with regular ice too. You want the spirit at room temperature to deliver the full experience. Ideally decanted / opened up a little too. If you’re trying to manage the alcohol content, then water droplets are more effective than ice. 

[madandana]

No, I have some but prefer 1 or 2 real cubes.

[painfreefishing]

Naaa, just a glass. 

[Mike Mecklenburg]

No stones for me. Neat and sometimes a drop or two of water or a small ice cube.

[Ford2112]

They could double up as a pumice stone for your feet!

[Gamehawker]

Nope. I drink my bourbon neat at room temperature. 

[Lucas Buck]

Wife bought me a set years ago. They’re still in the box somewhere. Definitely a gimmick nobody actually uses. 

[MrBirdman]

I had them and like most they were a gift. Tugs at my heart to be honest, they came from my late mother. They’re useful for cocktails that are served on ice if you want to drink it slowly without losing the balance. But you still need ice to make it, so an easier solution is just buying those large-cube ice trays and using them to mix and serve.

[Çnote]

For me, its a gimmick & I've seen people swirl them in such a fashion that a dustpan is needed. Not as gimmicky as the glass that incorporates a cigar rest, but well on the way.

Ice is best 👌 

[Capn_Jackson]

No, but if you drink enough whiskey, it might give you another kind of stones 😁

[Fuzz AI]

10 hours ago, El Presidente said:

It is getting closer to Christmas and I am bound to receive a set of Whiskey stones again. I think I must have five or six  gifted sets laying around but have never introduced any of the said stones into my daily/weekly ritual.

Dammit! <deletes whisky stones from Amazon cart>

[loose_axle]

I had several sets lying around. Also, all gifts. I've got one mate who loves and swears by them and I've given the bulk to him and kept a set here for when he comes over. Otherwise I had as much use for them as sand in the Sahara. 

[Fuzz AI]

Aha! Got it!! <adds new item to Amazon cart>

[Li Bai]

I've had a set for a few years and never used them until a few months ago. Poured myself a Negroni before realising I was out of ice cubes so I used those but it was an underwhelming experience as one would expect.

I drink my scotch at room temperature, adding water when needed 👍

[wathabanos]

I use a stainless steel sphere when I drink rum and coke, but only because I don't want it getting watered down and I enjoying taking my time with it. Will agree they are mostly a gimmick though. Like others, I like my Whisky neat and at room temperature. Oh, and adding water to a perfectly good scotch? What the hell is wrong with you people? 😂

[ha_banos]

Worried now that I might receive a set for Xmas. I think I've stopped the whisky/rum gifts. This is a natural derivative...

 

[westg]

9 hours ago, madandana said:

No, I have some but prefer 1 or 2 real cubes.

Yep 1 or 2 real cubes. I still dont get the stone thing. To big to intrusive.