quari ice

i had lunch at the cafe robey in wicker park today with a friend, and we chatted for quite some time with a couple seated next to us about their new business. neil and audrey sullivan recently opened an artisanal ice company- it's so new that the website link on neil's business card doesn't yet work. (http://www.quariice.com). quari ice is a play on the word quarry in that the ice is carved somewhat like rocks in a quarry, and that the word in japanese for ice is spelled 'kori' and i believe, sounds the same.... i haven't tried their ice yet- but it's available in their own standalone freezer at several binny's, including lincoln park and the one on grand as well as in some restaurants and bars. what i found interesting is that they say the ice is so hard that one ice cube will last through 3 drinks. i thought some cocktail lovers might find this of interest....i believe they sell boxes of 4 or 12 cubes of various sizes. please post if anyone has actually tried it.

It shows on Binny's but in Chicago it says supplies are limited so call the store first.

https://www.binnys.com/beverage/Quari_H ... 60927.html

justjoan wrote:please post if anyone has actually tried it.

Do you really need a review? If I had to guess: it's cold, it keeps beverages cold and it melts a little slower due to its larger size.

justjoan wrote:i had lunch at the cafe robey in wicker park today with a friend, and we chatted for quite some time with a couple seated next to us about their new business. neil and audrey sullivan recently opened an artisanal ice company- it's so new that the website link on neil's business card doesn't yet work. (http://www.quariice.com). quari ice is a play on the word quarry in that the ice is carved somewhat like rocks in a quarry, and that the word in japanese for ice is spelled 'kori' and i believe, sounds the same.... i haven't tried their ice yet- but it's available in their own standalone freezer at several binny's, including lincoln park and the one on grand as well as in some restaurants and bars. what i found interesting is that they say the ice is so hard that one ice cube will last through 3 drinks. i thought some cocktail lovers might find this of interest....i believe they sell boxes of 4 or 12 cubes of various sizes. please post if anyone has actually tried it.

Seriously? Paying outrageous amounts for bottled water is not enough, we are now moving on into the realm of paying $12 for a box of 12 ice cubes?

I'm not sure I get it. If you are looking for something "hard" so I assume it melts slower, then why not just by the "rocks" that are sold in many different forms. These are typically used by people who don't want to water down their drinks.

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/set-of-12-small-whiskey-rocks/s135377?localedetail=US&pcat=HSW&ps_cid=210&a=1552&campaignid=1052199000&adgroupid=51485002685&targetid=pla-321915766046&pla_sku=135377&scid=scplp135377&sc_intid=135377&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtOLVBRCZARIsADPLtJ1iFG5kVHR6jIptUlHjsh_W9ztNkhaq9KMXsz1oQKbfdIhpp6oeSZQaApD2EALw_wcB

This is debated by many scotch drinkers, who think that the melt off of a couple of cubes helps the scotch bloom and truly enhances the enjoyment and full potential of the drink.

For those that just want crystal clear cubes, there are plenty of ways to accomplish it without the cost of buying ice cubes:
https://lifehacker.com/make-fancy-crystal-clear-ice-cubes-with-boiled-water-1696646514

I don't know from Quari but the crystal clear Just Ice cubes (not available retail) are great and well worth the money, if spirits and cocktails are a serious interest. If you haven't had the pleasure, you really should try them before forming an opinion. Many fine cocktail bars around town serve them, so there's no need to go to the source or place a large order just to try them.

I realize that they're not for everyone or every situation. Some people, understandably, just don't want any chill or dilution in their beverage. And, I'd never want one when drinking mezcal, for example. But, if you're a person who likes a slow-rate melt/dilution in your libation, they are great, and a f*ckload easier than making them yourself.

I love a large cube with an overproof bourbon or in an Old Fashioned made with said spirit. My wife, who is quite a rum enthusiast, loves a pour over a large cube. All that said, I don't think either of us care a great deal about the cosmetic aspect of the ice's clarity. But if that clarity also leads to a slower melt rate, then its functionality is greatly appreciated.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:But, if you're a person who likes a slow-rate melt/dilution in your libation, they are great, and a f*ckload easier than making them yourself.

If I ever get to a point where making ice is an onerous task it may be time for me to pack it in. I have variants of these and it's never been a chore to make them (and pop into ziplocs for later use).

https://www.amazon.com/Ankway-Silicone- ... skey&psc=1

spinynorman99 wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:But, if you're a person who likes a slow-rate melt/dilution in your libation, they are great, and a f*ckload easier than making them yourself.

If I ever get to a point where making ice is an onerous task it may be time for me to pack it in. I have variants of these and it's never been a chore to make them (and pop into ziplocs for later use).

https://www.amazon.com/Ankway-Silicone- ... skey&psc=1

Yeah I have those trays but they're not useful for every situation. For example, if you're having a group over and each person's going to consume several cubes, you're limited to what you have on-hand because sometimes there's just not enough time to make what you need. Or what you have on-hand may taste like your freezer, which is also a major drag. I suppose that if you need just a few cubes, keeping a tray of 6 in your freezer might be useful.

And making clear cubes at home is definitely not worth the time and effort it takes, especially if you need a few dozen of them.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

spinynorman99 wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:But, if you're a person who likes a slow-rate melt/dilution in your libation, they are great, and a f*ckload easier than making them yourself.

If I ever get to a point where making ice is an onerous task it may be time for me to pack it in. I have variants of these and it's never been a chore to make them (and pop into ziplocs for later use).

https://www.amazon.com/Ankway-Silicone- ... skey&psc=1

Yeah I have those trays but they're not useful for every situation. For example, if you're having a group over and each person's going to consume several cubes, you're limited to what you have on-hand because sometimes there's just not enough time to make what you need. Or what you have on-hand may taste like your freezer, which is also a major drag. I suppose that if you need just a few cubes, keeping a tray of 6 in your freezer might be useful.

And making clear cubes at home is definitely not worth the time and effort it takes, especially if you need a few dozen of them.

=R=

We entertain quite a bit on the weekends in the summer and it's not a whole lot of effort to make them a couple of days ahead and collect them in ziplocs. Just remember to dump the unused ones because they don't age well.

spinynorman99 wrote:We entertain quite a bit on the weekends in the summer and it's not a whole lot of effort to make them a couple of days ahead and collect them in ziplocs. Just remember to dump the unused ones because they don't age well.

I think we may have boozier friends than you do! But in any case, sometimes making them in advance works out and sometimes it doesn't . . . and sometimes our freezers are just too full to put up any sort of useful inventory.

The bottom line is that large ice cubes, whether you buy them or make them yourself, greatly enhance the drinking experience. I think it's short-sighted to just write them off as some sort of useless gimmick (not saying you did this).

=R=

thetrob wrote:

justjoan wrote:i had lunch at the cafe robey in wicker park today with a friend, and we chatted for quite some time with a couple seated next to us about their new business. neil and audrey sullivan recently opened an artisanal ice company- it's so new that the website link on neil's business card doesn't yet work. (http://www.quariice.com). quari ice is a play on the word quarry in that the ice is carved somewhat like rocks in a quarry, and that the word in japanese for ice is spelled 'kori' and i believe, sounds the same.... i haven't tried their ice yet- but it's available in their own standalone freezer at several binny's, including lincoln park and the one on grand as well as in some restaurants and bars. what i found interesting is that they say the ice is so hard that one ice cube will last through 3 drinks. i thought some cocktail lovers might find this of interest....i believe they sell boxes of 4 or 12 cubes of various sizes. please post if anyone has actually tried it.

Seriously? Paying outrageous amounts for bottled water is not enough, we are now moving on into the realm of paying $12 for a box of 12 ice cubes?

I'm not sure I get it. If you are looking for something "hard" so I assume it melts slower, then why not just by the "rocks" that are sold in many different forms. These are typically used by people who don't want to water down their drinks.

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/set-of-12-small-whiskey-rocks/s135377?localedetail=US&pcat=HSW&ps_cid=210&a=1552&campaignid=1052199000&adgroupid=51485002685&targetid=pla-321915766046&pla_sku=135377&scid=scplp135377&sc_intid=135377&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtOLVBRCZARIsADPLtJ1iFG5kVHR6jIptUlHjsh_W9ztNkhaq9KMXsz1oQKbfdIhpp6oeSZQaApD2EALw_wcB

This is debated by many scotch drinkers, who think that the melt off of a couple of cubes helps the scotch bloom and truly enhances the enjoyment and full potential of the drink.

For those that just want crystal clear cubes, there are plenty of ways to accomplish it without the cost of buying ice cubes:
https://lifehacker.com/make-fancy-crystal-clear-ice-cubes-with-boiled-water-1696646514

why don't you decide to NOT post a reply if you have nothing to add to the conversation....?

justjoan wrote:
why don't you decide to NOT post a reply if you have nothing to add to the conversation....?

Excuse me? You asked about a product you had neither seen nor tried. I added my opinion that I find paying $12 for 12 ice cubes is ridiculous, and I would venture to guess that I am not the only one of that opinion. I also offered links to other options that may serve a similar purpose.

Please clarify, are your "rules" that something "adds to the conversation" only if it agrees with your opinion? Exactly what are the guidelines? My understanding is that these boards exist as a forum to offer an opinion. I wish the Sullivans all the luck in the world with their new venture and hope they succeed, and while I may try the product in an establishment, I most likely will not be purchasing said ice cubes for the reasons stated.

I for one like a little bit of melt from cubes in my scotch, I will not spend the time and effort to make clear ice, and when I pour the next round, I won't have much trouble adding another cube or two if needed.