Teroforma Whisky Stones – $21.45
| Maker’s 46 – $31.99
It’ll be here before you know it. So if you’re in need of a few ideas on what to give or even put on your own list this year, this is the place to be for the next couple weeks. Our annual 12 Days of Dappered covers one item each week-day between now and December 20th. That’ll leave some time for shipping if you’re the last minute type. All will be reasonably affordable. See the growing archive here.
For those that prefer to slowly sip their liquor, these let you do that without watering down the drink. A big ice cube will melt slower, but these won’t melt at all. Now, they won’t make your drink freezing cold, but if you like the change in taste that comes with lowering the temperature of your bourbon, scotch, or sipping rum, they should do the trick.
That and they look pretty friggin’ cool.
Comes with nine stones “Milled in Vermont by the oldest soapstone workshop in the US.” Stones ship free at $25 so consider picking up a Glencairn glass
As for the Maker’s 46, some haven’t taken to it. Some think it’s a huge improvement (I’m one.) Still has the sweetness of Maker’s with more flavors and an easy creaminess. Might be right for someone stuck in a booze rut.
Whisky Stones sounds like a country band.
FYI, the Teraforma stones with scratch your drinking glasses.
the archive link isn’t working
or a medical condition. Lay off the booze son, or you’ll end up with Whisky Stones!
I think I am going to get the stones as a Christmas gift for my brother, who fancies himself a Scotch drinker. Thanks for the reminder that these exist, Joe.
Mason Jar?
I like Maker’s but haven’t tried the 46 yet, looks good though.
Anyone who hasn’t tried Old Overholt rye whiskey should do so right away IMO. Don’t let the price fool you, it’s very good and also happens to be the perfect addition to egg nog.
These are listed on Red Envelope, and explicitly state that they won’t scratch the glass -> http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/whiskey-lovers-set-30010376?REF=REDSRCHgoogkwd_red+envelople_e_BRAND&PRID=SRCHribbon10&viewpos=3&trackingpgroup=rbart
I think the 46 is an improvement over the regular Maker’s. For a cheaper price (under $30) though I’ve got three recommendations that I like better:
– Elijah Craig 12 year- Elmer T Lee Single Barrel- Evan Williams Single Barrel
http://www.teambuy.ca/kelowna/referral/hs9p5raj7ctg/28135079/
That is funny, I found an online deal for 6 glasses and the stones at $35 a few days ago. Check it out
I completely agree with Nick C. All three he listed are a big step up from Maker’s.
For me these have it backwards – if you want to taste the whisky it must be unchilled, and adding a little water opens it up.
Sort of with you on this one. Though personally I do like my scotch on the rocks. Takes a few sips for my palate to become propperly acclimated, and the ice helps with this initially. As the ice melts, flavors open up, as does my appreciation.
I will have to try those.
How about Bulleit Bourboun? Hard to beat the $20 price at Trader Joe’s.
Bulleit Bourbon in my opinion Is on par, if not better than Makers….for those that are not faint of heart, try their Rye.
I have whiskey stones and don’t think they do much at all. They are more of a novelty and conversation piece than anything. Plus after you use them for one drink, they aren’t as cold.
Maker’s 46 is good, but I can hardly tell a difference between that and the regular stuff…I’d save the $ and buy regular or try another brand of sipping whiskey like Basil Hayden
+1 on the Bulleit Rye. (If you like rye, that is)
I seem to recall from the comments on a woot offering of whiskey stones a while back they were a great idea in concept, not in execution. (complaints about smell and the likelihood of losing part of a tooth if one of these came tumbling down)
Most spirits can benefit from opening up a bit with some melting ice. If you want a better chill to dilution ratio, keep the bottle in the fridge/freezer, or invest in some XL ice cube trays. Or both.
I don’t like 46. It’s too one-note. It’s the same smooth, mellow mashbill as Maker’s Mark, but the added time in oak overpowers nearly all the flavors of Maker’s Mark and the 46 just ends up tasting like a barrel. Sooo many better whiskeys at that price point, and I prefer regular Maker’s Mark anyway which is cheaper.
Interestingly I find Bulleit Rye actually LESS in-your-face than the Bourbon. Both are delicious; the rye is a pretty smooth if unremarkable example of rye whiskey, whereas the bourbon is like a punch in the face compared to a lot of other bourbons (especially at that price).
Yes, you are exactly right. I mean, I don’t agree that whiskey should never be chilled–drink it how you want. I prefer it both ways depending on my mood. But chilling without adding water is pointless. I hate that whiskey stones even exist, because they’re completely useless.
Maybe they should call these Rum Stones then, because, I’m a big fan of cooling my Zaya / Zacapa down, but I the final sip isn’t nearly as good as the first thanks to the what was ice and is now water. There is, of course, always sticking it in the freezer.
No, you shouldn’t keep your whiskey in the fridge/freezer. Whiskey is definitely not meant to be enjoyed that way, especially if you plan on ever mixing up an Old-Fashioned or a Manhattan with it. If it’s kept in the fridge/freezer, the ice won’t dilute the spirit enough to result in a drinkable cocktail. And 0 degrees F is cold enough that it’ll dull the taste of anything, anyway, so you wouldn’t be tasting much whiskey. The compounds that evaporate and fill your nose with delicious whiskey smells don’t be doing their thing, etc. The only booze that should be stored in the freezer is anything you plan to drink freezing cold in a shot glass, like drinking vodka the Russian way.
Except, apparently, one of the Johnnie Walker varieties? Which they recommend to serve chilled from the freezer, paired with chocolate.
As always, this is just the accepted/conventional way to do things. If you REALLY like it that way, go nuts. No one can stop you!
I’m a huge fan of wiskey stones. And from personal experience, they have not scratched any of my glasses in their two years of regular use.
Interesting.
If I really want to taste barrels I will drink some of my Balvanie Doublewood. 😉
Ever tried Old Overholt? I’ve had a bunch of people say “oh I don’t like rye whiskey” but when they taste it they change their tune. I’m not sure if there is a better whiskey for $15. I bought two bottles this past weekend, one to bring to a party and one for home, and the bottles were all covered in dust at the store. It’s a shame, people don’t know what they are missing. It was a hit at the party.
I like Bulleit better than Maker’s myself.
I sometimes make a drink with it which I’m not sure has a name (a friend said I should call it The Scorned Redhead)
Old Fashioned Glass:
One extra large ice cube
2oz Bulleit Bourboun
Angustora Bitters
Regan’s Orange Bitters
Top off with Bundaberg GInger Beer
Orange Zest garnish
I don’t normally make drinks with sugar in them but this is really good and not too sweet.
I suppose you could use the whiskey stones and yet still add a few drops of water. If they do an ok job cooling maybe it would be the best of both worlds. Just speculating, never used ’em.
Rye whiskey is my favorite thing in the whole world. Overholt isn’t the best rye, but you won’t find a better whiskey for fifteen bucks.
I just want to thank everyone who posted regarding this topic; I was seriously considering purchasing a set of stones, but you have talked me out of it. Salute!
For what it’s worth, I just had Old Overholt Rye in an Old Fashioned & thought it was just as delicious as Bulleit Bourbon (haven’t tried Rye). I also picked up a bottle of Rittenhouse Bottled In Bond, so we’ll see how that develops.