Distillers the world over dedicate themselves to refining the flavor of their products. Millions of hours go into the production, storage, and aging process of whiskey and other alcoholic beverages.
Whiskey stones preserve the distiller’s vision by cooling that 12-year-scotch, Kentucky bourbon, or Irish whiskey without diluting the beverage or introducing unnatural flavors. If you’re interested in graduating from fan to aficionado, read on to learn how to find the best whiskey stones for your favorite drink.
- BEST OVERALL: R.O.C.K.S. Whiskey Chilling Stones
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Quiseen Set of 9 Grey Beverage Chilling Stones
- BEST LARGE: Rabbit Whiskey and Beverage Jumbo Chilling Stones
- BEST STAINLESS STEEL: Spirit Stones Surgical Grade Steel Whiskey Stones
- BEST SET: Amerigo Exclusive Whiskey Stones Gift Set
- BEST WITH GLASSES: Kollea Whiskey Stones Set, 2 Whiskey Glasses
- BEST NOVELTY: Amerigo Whiskey Stones Bullets with Base
What to Consider When Buying Whiskey Stones
The best whiskey stones for you will depend on a few factors. Material, quantity, ease of cleaning, and personal style all play a part when choosing the set that best compliments your home bar.
Material
Whiskey stones come in one of three materials: stainless steel, granite, or soapstone. Each material has specific chilling characteristics, price point, and aesthetic quality.
Soapstone is odorless, inexpensive, and porous. Soapstone’s porous quality means it does not retain low temperatures as effectively as granite or stainless steel options. Those who like their whiskey cool but not cold, should look at soapstone.
Granite and stainless steel retain temperatures better than soapstone, keeping your whiskey chilled longer. They are also harder and likely to last longer than soapstone. Stainless steel whiskey stones often employ a non-toxic chilling gel that boosts the ability to maintain a cold temperature. And don’t worry; stainless steel stones are anticorrosive, so you don’t have to worry about rust flakes floating around in that 12-year-old bottle you’ve been waiting to enjoy.
Quantity
The quantity of whiskey stones you buy depends on two main factors: preferred chilling effect and number of guests.
A larger number of stones provides greater chilling power for your whiskey. A good rule of thumb for adequately chilled whiskey is three to four stones per glass, though this may vary depending on personal preference and volume of liquid in the glass.
When finding the best whiskey stones for you, consider guests. Will you be sharing your favorite beverage with friends or family? Having extra stones on hand for your whiskey club helps everyone enjoy the authentic flavors of the whiskey. Whiskey stones come in sets from as few as five to as many as a hundred. Consider how many glasses you’d like to chill at once when selecting a whiskey stone set.
Freezing Time
Whiskey stones obviously don’t generate their own low temperatures. Though stainless steel stones sometimes come with cooling gel, they still need to be frozen before use.
Properly freezing whisky stones is as simple as keeping them in the freezer. They’ll be cold and ready any time you decide to enjoy a drink. If this is not possible, place whiskey stones in the freezer hours in advance to achieve the desired effect. Stones kept at lower temperatures for longer amounts of time keep the drink colder.
Ease of Cleaning
The advantage of whiskey stones over ice is twofold. First, whiskey stones do not dilute the alcohol. Second, whiskey stones do not add unpleasant flavors that ice may introduce. Keeping whiskey stones clean is crucial to enjoying your whiskey unimpeded by unwelcome flavors.
Prevent bacteria and residue buildup by cleaning the stones after each use with a solution of dish soap and water, either by hand or in the dishwasher, as whiskey stones are dishwasher safe. If your whiskey stones absorb unwanted flavors while in the freezer, soaking them in a mixture of vodka and water eliminates the undesirable taste.
Additional Accessories
Whiskey stones may come with accessories. The best whiskey stone set for you may include glasses, carrying bags, storage cases, cup holders and other goodies that supplement the whiskey drinking experience.
Themed or novel whiskey stone sets add a personalized touch that make whiskey stones perfect as gifts for the discerning whiskey aficionado. Explore accessory and customization options when searching for the best whiskey stones for you.
Our Top Picks
Picking the best whiskey stones for your needs may not be as simple as it seems. Check out this list of some of the best whiskey stones for chilled drinks.
Photo: amazon.com
Six round granite sipping rocks come ensconced in a quality wood case. Each stone is unique in color and granite style. Handcrafted FDA-compliant premium grade granite ensures safety and ease of cleaning.
Granite strikes a balance between the aesthetic of rocks with the long-lasting cooling properties of stainless steel. These stones set themselves apart visually in that they are cylindrical. Their shape and material eliminate the danger of scratching glass while also chilling longer than soapstone.
Photo: amazon.com
This set of grey soapstone cubes comes wrapped in a gift box and includes a velvet carrying case. The soapstone is not as effective at cooling as other types, but is inexpensive, easy to clean, and does not transfer unwanted flavors.
With nine stones included, there is enough chill factor to share a drink with a couple of friends, and the carrying case makes them easy to transport and store. A few hours in the freezer cools the stones enough for use, though soapstone does not retain cold temperatures as well as granite or stainless steel.
Photo: amazon.com
This set of two ultra-large stainless steel whiskey stones provide enormous cooling power. You’re not likely to misplace these jumbo, rounded cubes. Though they come in a set of two, only one is required per drink due to their size. The 1.5-inch cubes fit in most glasses and provide up to fifty percent more cooling area than a soapstone whiskey stone.
They are dishwasher safe and come in a convenient and well-constructed case. A larger surface area means more liquid in contact with the stone for a beverage that stays cold for a long while.
Photo: amazon.com
It doesn’t get higher quality than these surgical grade steel stones. These stainless steel stones freeze in two hours and are sealed for safe dishwasher cleaning.
These stones come in sets of four, so you may need more than one pack to enjoy your beverage with friends, but make up for it by reducing your drink to the coldest levels in the shortest amount of time.
Photo: amazon.com
Amerigo’s stainless steel whiskey stones gift set is a great choice for the aficionado in your life. This gift set includes a pair of coasters, ice tongs, a freezer tray for storage, and eight stones.
Though stainless steel is hard enough to scratch glass, the rounded design of the Amerigo stones ensures the ease-of-cleaning and temperature retention of steel without scratching your snifters. The freezer tray protects the stones when not in use, making storage a snap.
Photo: amazon.com
These stones stand out as much for what’s inside than what’s outside. Special alcohol cores in the stones extend the chilling time. These whiskey stones maintain lower temperatures for hours longer than other types.
This set from Kollea includes two whiskey glasses, ice tongs, and eight chilling stones made with FDA-approved food grade 304 stainless steel that will not corrode or rust. These stones freeze in a few hours, are easy to clean and stay colder longer than traditional whiskey stones. A durable stainless steel tray rounds out the kit, but the included plastic tray feels flimsy.
Photo: amazon.com
The second Amerigo entry on our list is notable for its design. The six whiskey stones are built from high-caliber material, and the unusual bullet shape facilitates cooling your favorite liquor with style when it is time to enjoy a drink or two.
The carrying case houses six whiskey stones in a revolver cylinder. Amerigo coated these whiskey stones with corrosion-resistant 304 stainless steel for easy-to-clean cooling. This stylish set makes a statement while chilling your drink.
FAQs About Whiskey Stones
If you still have some lingering questions about whiskey stones, check out our list of frequently asked questions to get on the fast track to the best whiskey stones for you.
Q. How do you use whiskey stones?
Simply freeze them for a minimum of four hours and drop them in your drink. Whiskey stones add chill without dilution or unwanted flavors.
Q. How long does it take whiskey stones to chill my drink?
A few seconds. Like ice cubes, whiskey stones disseminate lower temperature through your drink on contact. Give the glass a little swirl and wait a minute to ensure your beverage is as cold as you want it to be.
Q. Can whiskey stones be used in other drinks?
Absolutely. Whiskey stones work in any drink you want cold. However, the flavor of other drinks may soak into the stones. If you make a habit of switching between beverages, follow proper cleaning practices to cleanse the flavor from your stones.
Q. Which whiskey stones won’t scratch my glass?
The Mohs scale measures the hardness of minerals. Glass ranks between 5.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale. Anything higher than 7 on the Mohs scale may scratch glass. Soapstone, stainless steel and granite have a 2.5, 6 to 7, and 5.5 to 6 Mohs ranking, respectively.
Q. How do you clean whiskey stones?
Whiskey stones are dishwasher safe and should be cleaned with dish soap and warm water after every use. A solution of vodka and water will help eliminate unwelcome flavors in the event one soaks into the stone.
