This may well save our drinks this NYE. A watered down bourbon may be a preference to some, but to others it wounds the drink in a snuffer. How about we avoid the ice issue altogether? “A few great soapstone workers in Perkinsville, Vermont have created Whiskey Stones. These little ice-imitators are specially designed to put a slight chill in your Whiskey. All you do is put them in the freezer for a few hours and then pop a couple into a glass of single malt. Once you’re done, rinse, dry and do it all over again! And no need to worry about a watery drink, because these stones don’t dilute (that’s the best part). ” TG is sold out of them but UCG looks to still heave some in stock. (walyou)

More looks at the Soapstone Whiskey Stones from Vermont after the click.

Here’s an interesting take on the bar scene – MiniBar, a new establishment in Amsterdam, looks to take the wait out of bar socializing with a self serve deal. Whether there is a control to check on intoxication of the patrons is another issue, but damn, this is Amsterdam. How does it work you ask? “Customers leave a passport or driver’s license with a staff member and are given an ice bucket and a key to their bar. The numbered mini fridges fill an entire wall, and vary in size and content—guests can choose from beer bars, champagne bars and mixed bars. Like anold-fashioned food automat, the mini bars are stocked from the back, making for easy restocking and out-of-sight logistics.” (springwise)

“Drinking and gaming” goes together like Henessey and shotguns – if you’re into that. But Vernice drops a less lethal “drinking and gaming” combo with their ostrich print leather case housing everything you need to get the liquid and cards playing nicely together. “Lined in beige leather and complete with two crystal wine glasses and space for a bottle of wine, two leather coasters, two packs of playing cards, a bottle opener, bottle stopper and other drinking accessories.” Pull out the black card, as this will set you back a recession friendly 2660$US. (farfetch)

More views of the Vernice Ostrich Drinking and Gaming Case after the jump.