Whiskey stones look great in drinks, but they come with big problems.

Whiskey connoisseurs know that swirling the glass doesn't improve the flavor, but there's still something deliciously satisfying about giving it a twist before taking the first sip. According to Caitlin Bartlemay, master distiller at Hood River Distillers, that seemingly harmless twist might be something best avoided, especially if you're chilling your drink with whiskey stones. Sure, they do their job of keeping the drink at the ideal temperature and are an interesting conversation starter because, let's face it, they look great. However, their design gives one pause when choosing them over regular ice to chill your drink.

“Whiskey stones are made of materials that slowly absorb the heat of the whiskey without altering its flavor, such as soapstone, marble, or steel,” Bartlemay explained. “They’re much harder and heavier than cocktail ice.” So what? I’m not in peak physical condition, but I think I can lift a glass of liquor that weighs a bit more than a traditional whiskey on the rocks.

It turns out that the extra weight can be problematic when it comes into contact with the glass holding the drink. Bartlemay commented, "Whiskey stones can damage glassware, but it depends on how they're used and the material." Some varieties aren't a problem, but there are certain things to consider before adding them to your drink. "If you use stones with sharp edges and leave them in a shaken glass, they can chip and scratch the inside," Bartlemay warned. "I would never use them with glassware."

Whiskey stones can damage more than just glassware.

Even if you're not worried about damaging your glassware by using stones to chill your whiskey, what Caitlin Bartlemay illustrates below might change your mind. "We all know the ice trick: sticking to the bottom of the glass and then shooting out at your face," she commented. Ah yes, the dreaded ice hit. "The stones might not stick to each other, but the risk is the same. If you're not paying attention while drinking, those stones could fly out of the glass and hit your teeth, causing havoc," she added.

Okay, I'm half convinced. I value not having to go to the dentist unnecessarily enough to consider alternative ways to chill alcoholic beverages, but what if you have one of those coolers that constantly spews out bad-tasting ice? "The purpose of the stones is to chill the whiskey without diluting it," Bartlemay said. "If you know what temperature you like to drink your whiskey at, store it at that temperature, too."

Normally, a refrigerator isn't necessary to store even inexpensive whiskey, as it doesn't extend its shelf life. Furthermore, the flavor of whiskey that's too cold is dulled, so Bartlemay suggests chilling bottles in a temperature-controlled wine cooler. This way, the whiskey can be chilled just right without the risk of dilution or damaging the whiskey stones. Refrigerators and freezers are less precise, but they can also be useful in a pinch. Many people think wine coolers cost a fortune, but you can find quite affordable models like this Black+Decker wine cooler that do the job. And it might be worth it, since the alternative is spending that money on a dentist appointment if something goes wrong while enjoying your drink with whiskey stones.