Whiskey on the rocks: Laboratory testing of whiskey stones

A couple days ago I wrote a post about whisky - About whisky stones more specifically, and whilst I didn't think it would get many comments a few came through from steem-peeps curious to see how they turned out. You can see that post here.

I had originally thought to freeze them and simply throw them into a glass of Pepsi Max as I'm not really much of an alcohol drinker - Enjoying a drink only occasionally. However, I decided to do it properly considering the interest and this post summarises my findings.

The test parameters
I used Johnny Walker Double Black for the test liquid, two identical double-walled glasses (not pictured) and the same volume of whiskey in each. Of course the test took place in a completely controlled environment - My kitchen. I rated my opinion of the stones below using the following scale. You may not know this, but it is the universally-accepted whiskey-stone rating system, recognised in every country around the world.

• Legit
• Semi-legit
• Not legit

To make the tests legit [there's the use of the above scale again] I've recorded temperatures at set intervals for each glass as defined below.

Glass 1: No whiskey stones
Glass 2: Whiskey stones (four of them)

I recorded the temperature at ambient and at 2 minute intervals from 2 minutes to 16 minutes from the moment the four stones, directly from an overnight stay in the freezer, were dropped into glass 2.

I believe this is a good test of the stones' effectiveness keeping in mind that in a real-world scenario the level of fluid in the glass will be reducing [getting drunk by the consumer] as time passes leaving less temperature for the stones to suck up. I did not drink the fluid over the test period - But smashed out both glasses immediately after despite it being prior to 12pm on Saturday morning. Being wasteful isn't in my nature.

Reporting
All temperatures are in degrees celcius:

• Ambient temperature glass 1: 20.4
• Ambient temperature glass 2: 20.4

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• 2 minute temperature glass 1: 20.4
• 2 minute temperature glass 2: 16.2

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• 4 minute temperature glass 1: 20.5
• 4 minute temperature glass 2: 15.1

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• 6 minute temperature glass 1: 20.5
• 6 minute temperature glass 2: 15.2

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• 8 minute temperature glass 1: 20.4
• 8 minute temperature glass 2: 15.2

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• 10 minute temperature glass 1: 20.4
• 10 minute temperature glass 2: 15.4

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• 12 minute temperature glass 1: 20.4
• 12 minute temperature glass 2: 15.7

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• 14 minute temperature glass 1: 20.4
• 14 minute temperature glass 2: 16.1

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• 16 minute temperature glass 1: 20.5
• 16 minute temperature glass 2: 16.5

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My findings
I think the numbers speak for themselves and certainly the stones have performed better at cooling the whiskey down than no stones at all. Based on the test results as above I have come to the conclusion that the whiskey stones rate as a solid: Legit.

There is some very slight variation in temperature on the control glass 1 however this could merely be put down to inaccuracy in my thermometer, a standard household version.

Considering the optimum temperature for whisky to be drunk at is 15-18 degrees I believe the whiskey stones have performed well. Of course, if you were in a room below 15 degrees ambient they would not be required.

I do not believe they will be very effective in keeping beverages chilled but as far as whiskey goes, their intended purpose, I believe them to have performed well and over the average time a person might take to enjoy a glass of [straight] whiskey I believe they would do the trick. I believe their use is preferable to inserting ice into the whiskey which would cool it down far too much inhibiting taste, aroma and flavour.

I'm not a scientist although I'm a fair judge of things I would say. Sure, I have just downed two glasses of Double Black JW in a row, in the period of 5 minutes, but I'm still able to determine the legitness of my tests.

I would say that the whiskey stones are a decent purchase if one can obtain them at the right price and one has a use for them. For those who drink a lot in a short period of time maybe less-so as that individual will need to have a supply of pre-freezer-cooled whiskey stones at hand I suppose.

For me I believe I'll use them often. The fact the stones impart no additional fluid to the drink, and do not soak up any flavour or aroma means they can be used again and again. The don't feel odd in the glass whilst enjoying the beverage and certainly don't give that hit of cold on the lips that ice does. They wash up in water and after a minimum 6-hour stint in the freezer are ready for re-use.

For those looking to make a purchase of some of these little stones for their own use or a gift I would say it's a good purchase, a nice talking point to have over a glass of whiskey, and a pretty cost-effective gift that is multi-use and keeps giving long after the initial gift is given.

So, to those who mentioned an interested in my findings: @ryivhnn, @eveuncovered and @goat-girlz, I hope this post rates as legit on the whiskey stone scale for you. You'll make your own mind up on it of course, purchase or not, however either way I hope this intensive test-session has shed some light on the matter for you. OK, so my head may be feeling a little lighter right now...All good though, not driving so it's all tickety-boo!

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Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default

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@curangel curator

Now...Just to make sure I better do one more test glass...Maybe two. It's after 5pm somewhere right?