Whiskey stones - this is an accessory for the use of whiskey . Stones for whiskey allow you to cool whiskey without diluting it. They can also be used to cool other drinks ( rum , wine , juice , lemonade ). In turn, heated stones due to their high heat capacity allow maintaining the temperature of hot drinks, such as coffee and tea , only on condition that the temperature of the stones is not lower than the above drinks.
The first whiskey stones were created in the USA in 2007 [1] and quickly gained popularity among whiskey lovers, as they make it possible to bring whiskey to the optimum temperature - 17-18 ° C, without changing its composition and taste. Stones for whiskey, as a rule, have a cubic shape with a side of 2–4 cm. In the USA, stones are also produced in the form of disks with a diameter of 3-4 cm.
When creating “stones”, natural stone talchochlorite was chosen, other names: steatite, soap stone (literal translation of English soapstone ), etc. The chemical stability of the stone is extremely high. It is not affected by even strong acids; only very strong alkalis can corrode its surface. Therefore, the stone does not convey the taste or smell of previous drinks and is environmentally friendly. Subsequently, "stones for whiskey" began to be made from various materials.
There is also a deposit of steatite in Russia, in the Republic of Karelia.
Today, “whiskey stones” are made from materials that have a high heat capacity and do not interact with alcohol, such as steatite [2] , shungite , steel , etc. In Siberia, stones are made from green jade .
Manufacturers recommend putting stones for at least one hour in the freezer before use. It is advisable to use a whiskey glass with a wide bottom , into which several stones can freely fit. To cool one serving of whiskey (30-50 ml) requires 3-4 small stones from steatite. It is desirable to store steel whiskey stones in a zero-temperature chamber in order to prevent excessive cooling of the whiskey, but permanent storage in the freezer is also allowed. After use, the stones should be washed with warm water. [3]