Interesting Comparison of ice alternatives

[Enoch]

http://coolmaterial.com/feature/we-tested-a-bunch-of-whiskey-stones-to-see-which-were-the-best/

I found this interesting so I have ordered most of these to compare for myself, including the Knob Creek ones.

What is your experience with ice alternatives.

[garbanzobean]

I thought the whisky rocks were okay, but I'm too lazy to use them. I really only want to cool my whisk(e)y off during hot days. And on hot days, I typically drink something else. Or just use ice.

[GaryT]

Wow - I've got the Whiskey Stones, and this was precisely my challenge with them - they cooled fairly little (they show a 7 degree chill factor, I think when I tried it I got even a bit less). Thanks for sharing Enoch! I'm going to order some of the Steel Ice!

[jvd99]

I've tried some of the ice alternatives, but none of them worked very well. I usually drink neat, but if I'm using ice, I prefer the ice ball.

[ratcheer]

I received some Balls of Steel as a Christmas present. This article doesn't hold much hope for their use, but I'll probably try them, anyway.

tim

[393foureyedfox]

if you want cool whiskey without the melting of ice, just keep your bottle in the fridge. problem solved.

[Flyfish]

I received some Balls of Steel as a Christmas present. This article doesn't hold much hope for their use, but I'll probably try them, anyway.

tim

Be careful how you sip or next Christmas all you'll (yule?) want is your two front teeth. Unless, of course, balls of steel are the best Christmas presents ever.

[portwood]

if you want cool whiskey without the melting of ice, just keep your bottle in the fridge. problem solved.

All these products are solutions in search of problems.

Simple is always best/cheapest

[flahute]

2-3 years ago, before I was truly going nuts about bourbon, I asked for and received the whiskey stones for Christmas. I quickly came to the conclusion that they don't really work that well and stopped using them. About a year ago I saw that graph posted above which explained why they don't work. By then I was committed to drinking bourbon neat so I've not tried any of the others. Seattle summers don't get super hot like other parts of the country so I never find myself wishing for a cool whiskey.

[The Black Tot]

I like my crystal glassware too much to be rattling rocks and steel around in them. Also, so far all my dramming has been neat. I think portwood is right - in search of a problem.

I still shudder when I see pics of PVW poured into a glass full of cloudy, freezerburnt ice. Drink it how you like it, my eye!

[Harry in WashDC]

In defense of ice & its alternatives, very occasionally I'll buy something to try and won't like it - drinking it cold sometimes helps. Ice ball is preferred, though - less melting than cubes while whiskey is in there (which usually isn't too long) then drink diluted stuff until it's time for the next one. Nothing to wash but the glass.

Edit - removed an extra word

[Vadertime]

In defense of ice & its alternatives, very occasionally I'll buy something to try and won't like it - drinking it cold sometimes helps. Ice ball is preferred, though - less melting than cubes while whiskey is in there (which usually isn't too long) then drink diluted stuff until it's time for the next one. Nothing to wash but the glass.

Edit - removed an extra word

[garbanzobean]

Ice and cold water can occasionally bring out interesting g notes in whiskey. Ardbeg Galileo had some great juicy fruit notes with a whisky rock or ice cube. Eagle Rare usually tastes really rye forward with some ice.

At any rate, you paid for it. Drink it however you want.

[dmarkle]

Another thing to try is just chilling the glass. I have some rocks glasses with really thick bases, so they absorb a lot of heat from the whiskey without any help from ice.

I tried the whiskey stones once. They absorbed my bourbon. No thanks.

[jvd99]

I received some Balls of Steel as a Christmas present.

[nd2005]

Another thing to try is just chilling the glass. I have some rocks glasses with really thick bases, so they absorb a lot of heat from the whiskey without any help from ice.

I do this with cocktails. I have a set of rocks glasses with a thick base. I will put them in the freezer for a while before mixing drinks, then pour the drink in one of those with an ice sphere or the large rectangular cubes.

[dSculptor]

Interesting... I just got Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible for x-mas,.. on the first few pages are.. How to taste Whiskey,

"The Murray Method"

Rule # 5 .Quote "Never add ice. This tightens the molecules and prevents flavours and aromas from being released. It also makes your whiskey bitter. There is no better way to get the least from your whiskey than by freezing it."

#6 - Likewise, ignore any advice given to you to put the bottle in the fridge before drinking.

#7 Don't add water! Whatever anyone tells you. It releases aromas but can mean the whisky falls below 40%...so it is no longer whisky. Also, it's ability to release flavours and aromas diminish quite quickly. Never add ridiculous "whisky rocks" or other supposed tasting aids.

Take it for what it is. I thought that since I just read it and this thread came up, .....it fit.

[portwood]

Interesting... I just got Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible for x-mas,.. on the first few pages are.. How to taste Whiskey,

"The Murray Method".

You forgot the most important rule of all: don't take anything Jim Murray says seriously. He's an expert self-promoter and the more crap that comes out of his mouth (and/or keyboard) the more attention he gets for himself.

[Special Reserve]

http://coolmaterial.com/feature/we-tested-a-bunch-of-whiskey-stones-to-see-which-were-the-best/

I found this interesting so I have ordered most of these to compare for myself, including the Knob Creek ones.

What is your experience with ice alternatives.

Science at work. I don't know if I'd want most of these items in my drink. To each their own.

[nd2005]

#7 Don't add water! Whatever anyone tells you. It releases aromas but can mean the whisky falls below 40%...so it is no longer whisky. Also, it's ability to release flavours and aromas diminish quite quickly.

That's absurd advice for any cask strength whiskey. Maybe for 100 proofers or less.

[garbanzobean]

Jim Murray's method makes sense given that he samples hundreds, if not thousands of samples a year and need a consistent methodology for rating them.

Unfortunately, his given reasoning for not adding water is not scientifically sound, and is counterintuitive to actually drinking and enjoying your spirits. That's one reason why I like Ralfy's reviewing methodology. Buy a bottle. Drink it. Find how he likes it best. Tell people about it. Works a bit better for us mere mortals who actually drink our whiskey. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Murray completely ignores his own methodology when actually drinking for pleasure, if he can get over himself enough to actually do that.

[squire]

Mr. Murray has his rules and I have mine. One of my rules is never buy a book on a hobbyists subject that has the word 'bible' in the title.

[ramblinman]

MiL bought me some of the stones this year, surprised that I got by without being given a set for this long.

I think it was from stein mart and made in China. No disrespect to the Chinese, but a lot of shady stuff on the low end of their production lines, especially food related. No chance I'll have any bourbon touch them, not sure of the type of "rock" and what cleaners/lubricants were used in the shaping and if any of it is alcohol soluble. No loss for me I'm a room temp neat guy for most things and ice only gets involved with cocktails.

Like others have said, not sure the problem these things are trying to solve. I assume the goal is muting the terrible taste of peaty scotch enough to not have to hold your nose when sipping

[dSculptor]

Mr. Murray has his rules and I have mine. One of my rules is never buy a book on a hobbyists subject that has the word 'bible' in the title.

I would have never bought the book myself , it was given to me by my daughter for x-mas, I wanted books more on the history of ... all this does is rate whisky's based on his opinion, plus I can hardly read the damn thing even with my glasses on, the print is so small. I thought about asking her to take it back, but I'm not sure how she will take it.

[TunnelTiger]

Tried the ice balls but they are a pain. if I decide not to drink neat I just add a ice cube from the fridge.