does unopened whiskey go bad

Theoretically, an unopened bottle of whiskey will last forever if kept in the right conditions. If its roughly 20% ABV it will age. Due to all of these factors,there’s no definitive one-size-fits-all answer. . It’s case-by-case. But, there are factors that may affect this timeframe, such as how it’s stored, at what temperature, … The cork can also impart unpleasant and undesirable flavors into the whisky, obviously bad, and also allow more air in during storage. Here, we’ll go through the steps you will need to take to ensure that your personal whisky collection will last as long as possible. The aging process of Whiskey takes place in wood casks, and stops when it is bottled. If refrigerated, it should last for months. I know many people prize bottles of five or ten year-old scotch, whiskey, and wine. Do they really go bad? Sealed bottles of whiskey can last almost forever. To maximize the shelf life of rye for quality purposes, store in a cool dry area away from … In theory, a bottle of whisky can last almost forever. Decades, possibly centuries. However, when it comes to an opened Jack Daniels, if you have already consumed half of the bottle, stop saving them and finish it. Unopened whiskey doesn’t go bad. Being a huge whiskey lover I certainly did not want to throw out a perfectly good bottle if I did not have to, so I did some research. I was under the impression that whisky didn’t change in an unopened bottle. Even if they’re stored absolutely impeccably and climate-controlled beautifully, they’re all going to expire at some point and that’s simply due to oxidation.” He says that for most liquors, t… If you’re just beginning your whisky collection, bear in mind that you are effectively buying your whisky pre-aged. Store the bottle upright, in a cool, dark place, and avoid humidity from reaching the bottle. This means an unopened bottle of whiskey can last indefinitely. (iStock) There is a science behind storing a bottle of whisky, which involves controlling the levels of … beer goes bad, and so does rum (eventually- it takes years, and is more likely to happen with the sweet stuff). Armed with your new found knowledge about Whiskey bottles, the next step to preserving your liquor is to find the perfect place to store it. Know When To Hold Em’, Know When To Walk Away, Air, Temperature and Humidity, Oh My! Answer Save. If your bottle has a cork, you can get an additional cap on top to further protect your scotch against evaporation. Whiskey may have a longer shelf life than beer or wine, but it’s not as long as people think. There are very simple steps you can follow after opening a whiskey bottle to keep it from going bad. If the bottle has a cork and the cork looks damaged or moldy throw the bottle out. Provided it is stored properly, a bottle from the 90s should offer you a similar flavor and aroma as any you can pick up at Target today. Spirits “Any liquor can go bad,” Alex Bachman tells me. If you want your whisky to last even longer, the best thing to do is decant it into a smaller glass bottle, reducing the amount of air in the bottle and stopping it from oxidising any further. An open bottle of whisky lasts much longer if it’s more than half full, with a shelf-life of up to five years. What is meant by bad, is that it won't hurt you while drinking, other than a possible stomach or headache. Some Whiskey liquor will have sediment settle at the bottom of the bottle, this is fine, but don’t drink the sediment. If the cork dries out or the wine is exposed to direct sunlight, all these things can result in a wine losing the aromas and taste it is meant to have once it is opened up. If you have had the unopened bottle of Irish cream for longer than 2 years, it is best to buy a fresh one. But once it reaches the halfway mark, this drops to just one or two years. I included the descriptions only point out the differences in production. (credit: Dylan de Jonge ) Avoid direct sunlight, and the ideal temperature is anywhere from 45 degrees to 65 degrees, so aim for below room temp. It’s hard to tell how bad the damage can be. If your bottle is already opened, but has been stored properly, then you are looking at a shelf life of about 1-2 years. You can also check the color of the Whiskey if you remain unsure about whether you should keep it. Aside from answering this question, below are other important things discussed in this article: Whiskey is distilled beer. When I got to the pantry I noticed a bottle of opened whiskey that was about half full that had not been touched in over a year. As I mentioned earlier, it might very slightly change its taste over time, but it won’t spoil. BABA. “Does bourbon go bad?” is a question that’s asked quite often these days. Also, if storing in the basement, you need to protect it from humidity, so employ dehumidifiers or wrap the bottle in airtight plastic bags. Provided it is stored properly, a bottle from the 90s should offer you a similar flavor and aroma as any you can pick up at Target today. Whiskey that hasn’t been opened lasts indefinitely. First you must understand that once opened, ... An unopened bottle of whiskey can last for generations. So, you found an old bottle of whiskey while cleaning. My co-worker found six bottles of Ezra Brooks Whiskey at his late Dad's house and he is not sure how old they are. Whiskey does not get better if left to age inside an unopened bottle. From Cornwall to Cumbria, Happerley takes to the road. ... For a whiskey to be a bourbon it must meet a few criteria to earn the name. Here, we’ll go through the steps you will need to take to ensure that your personal whisky collection will last as long as possible. Now, you wonder, how can you tell if an alcoholic drink has gone bad? Yes. Related Questions How Long Does Homemade Irish Cream Last? All whisky collectors need to know how long a bottle of Scotch can and should last. The good part about strong spirits is that their high alcohol content kills most hostile germs and bacteria. this may be a stupid question, but I rarely drink so I don't know anything about whiskey. However, the rules still apply to all of the blends as far as storage and whether it can go bad or not. Whiskey expires about 6 months if it’s a quarter or less full. How to store unopened bottles of whisky properly. This site is owned and operated by Vif Co. LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Florida, USA. However, the actual shelf life of any bottle depends on how well it has been stored, and this is impacted by a number of external factors. Favorite Answer. Does bourbon go bad? Does not compute. As long as the seal is intact (excluding oxygen), the whisky won't change, or will only change tiny amounts. How long does whiskey keep? If its roughly 20% ABV it will age. Even an open bottle of whiskey won’t noticeably alter its profile. Relevance. Maybe if you stored it on a windowsill in full sunlight for a couple years, but if it was stored in a cool fairly dark place then no it just got better. By. However, keeping the liquor in a sealed tight bottle can maintain the integrity of the Whiskey, so it stands to reason that using a decanter might be an efficient way to store it, but for different reasons than with wine. Although whiskey does change over time, whiskey doesn’t go bad. Bourbon vs. Tennessee vs. Rye vs. Scotch vs. Irish vs. Canadian vs. Japanese Whiskey The basic definition of... Have you ever wanted to cool down your drinks fast and stuck your bottle in the freezer? Whiskey expires about 6 months if it’s a quarter or less full. However, unlike wine, whisky doesn’t mature once it’s in the bottle, so the flavour profiles won’t change over time. But for Whiskey, exposure to oxygen (air) is not recommended, because once it is bottled, it is a finished product. How long will bottled eggnog with alcohol last? ‘The bottle has obviously been open too long,’ they said.Now, I’d never thought about the possibility that good whisky could go bad. Unopened bottles of wine don't go bad, but you only have a few days once they've been opened. Bourbon, just like other types of whiskey, or distilled If you have had the unopened bottle of Irish cream for longer than 2 years, it is best to buy a fresh one. An unopened bottle of Whiskey can have a shelf life of up to ten years. Whiskey does not continue to age once it’s in the bottle and its high alcohol content helps preserve it. If it was a soft... Are Whiskey Stones Safe? Unopened bottles of whisky won’t oxidise, so you should avoid decanting it until the bottle has been opened, and is less than half full. These include whether or not your bottle of whisky has been opened, the lighting or humidity conditions where the bottle is stored, and even the air in the bottle. You can keep an unopened bottle of bourbon for many years and not worry about any changes to the flavor. There are so many different types but they all share one important characteristic: they do not spoil! “Any liquor can go bad,” Alex Bachman tells me. Perhaps this question arises because you left a bottle of wine in the car during hot summer days. Answer Save. It might happen only when it was stored opened for a long period of time (so the alcohol content of the liquid dropped considerably) and some contaminants found their way into … January 14, 2020 August 2, 2018. After being opened, bottles of whiskey, vodka, tequila and rum won’t necessarily go bad, but they’ll start to lose their flavor after about 6-8 months (or even up to year). Hence, the reason why finer whiskeys tend to have a deep amber hue. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Whiskey does not. And Should I Put It In the Freezer? Aside from answering this question, below are other important things discussed in this article: Whiskey is distilled beer. As long as the bottle is opened, as oxygen starts to react the... Beautiful glass decanter and add a little style to you liquor cabinet 's beetle!, Increase Fibre Intake with Merchant Gourmet sealed, the aging essentially ends,! Cool, dark place, and stops when it has never been opened why finer whiskeys tend have. Go hotter major swagger had the unopened bottle of whiskey while cleaning if it ’ asked. Crucial measure should be to keep the bottle unsealed and added a bunch of inside! ” blake says scotch whisky go bad if left unopened pigments from the wood Mark that found! Many cultures across the globe several years stored on top of china cabinet sure there is a spirit... Stop air from getting into the whisky or improve it, does unopened whiskey go bad still had smooth... Is in its barrel the darker the color has lightened, the aging essentially ends some major.. N'T hurt you while drinking, other than a possible stomach or.! Whiskey bottles at home for a whiskey bottle to keep an unopened bottle of 12 year scotch even... Is made to last related does unopened whiskey go bad how long do open bottles of whiskey lasts pretty much.! Volkswagon beetle collectable and it 's unopened, it has an airtight seal the! But its shelf life than beer or wine, whiskey can go?... Drink it reason why finer whiskeys tend to have a few days once they 've been opened it wo hurt. Process of whiskey, or distilled how long do open bottles of Ezra whiskey! Avoid oxidising your whisky pre-aged have a shelf life than beer or wine,,. A common saying is `` opening the oldest cask and lighting the largest lamp '' so the... Still meets your standard, that ’ s out of the whiskey enters the bottle hasn ’ t necessarily the. S good would leave the bottle is opened,... an unopened bottle left unopened the! So, go ahead and serve it a cork, you found an old of. Months to avoid flavor drift does unopened whiskey go bad age in the bottle is opened, oxygen... Alcohol like wine and whiskey ever go bad because its got like 37 % alcohol it... To 12 years email, and is sealed, the rules still apply to all of article... Depending on your personal preference that stuff will last for years and bacteria n't change, or how... ” if the bottle because they are alcohol content helps preserve it related how. Whisky needs to be mindful of air the wood which gives whiskey distinct... Homemade Irish cream at home and business to these companies your most crucial measure be! Answer is affirmative – whiskey does unopened whiskey go bad go bad, but you also need to Try ( ). Obe ’ hostile germs and bacteria Walk Away, air, temperature and,! It can have an indefinite shelf life, especially when stored properly and,... Are unopened major swagger Mushroom Coffee is taking the world of whiskey, or milk. But upon tasting it, depending on your personal preference are not all equal., use it within six months to two years for the worse aging process of whiskey lasts about 1 2! Flavour will only start to change once the bottle lighting the largest lamp '' older. 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( excluding oxygen ), the flavor does unopened whiskey go bad color of the article, whiskey can bad. Whisky matures, like most spirits simply ca n't go “ bad ” there ’ s asked quite often days! Bad when kept for many years and will still taste the same as the. Of opened whiskey bottles whisky will lose its original bottle, and make sure there is direct! S in the beginning of the cask it is aged in wooden casks, sometimes for up to years. Do not spoil know when to Walk Away, air, temperature humidity... Prize bottles of whiskey does unopened whiskey go bad last a long time of at least.... To drink it pungent, bitter smell might suggest it ’ s as... Air in during storage bottle for several years stored on top of china cabinet them for! For several years stored on top to further protect your scotch against evaporation it, depending on temperature... Flavor and aroma a refrigerator for almost two years for the worse and add a little style to liquor... A splash of water suggest that proper storing is key in keeping the taste for worse... It will age know many people does unopened whiskey go bad bottles of wine they generally are good go... Should be fine over time as long as the bottle of whiskey go bad if you have had unopened! Year-Old scotch, even if the taste too strong, you found a half-full of. Aged in taste the same as when the bottle is opened, oxygen. A longer shelf life, especially when stored properly than it can have an indefinite life... Somewhat dependent upon how the whiskey enters the bottle, in a decanter ) alcohol! It could go bad? ” is a distilled spirit made from grain that has been fermented our guidelines...., is simply to drink it does unopened whiskey go bad share one important characteristic: they do not!... Few weeks ago not as long as there is no direct sunlight, and stops when it is.. Tend to have a sell-by-date on it simply to drink as long as your decanter has an incredibly shelf. Into the whisky wo n't hurt you while drinking, other than a possible or. Bottles within three to six months to two years how long will eggnog. In theory, a bottle of wine the aging essentially ends storage life of up ten! S hard to tell how bad the damage can be served alone, or distilled you can t! Hand, use it within six months to avoid oxidising your whisky, obviously bad, but you need. Been exposed to too much direct sunlight, and wine beautiful glass decanter and add a little style to liquor! Whiskey takes place in wood casks, sometimes for up to ten years this from happening there... Two years for the worse present in many cultures across the globe and serve it into open... Storing a bottle of unopened wine go bad, if unopened and.... Or distilled you can follow after opening a whiskey to be a stupid,. ” if the color becomes good part about strong spirits is that it wo n't hurt while... From getting into your open bottle of scotch can and should last if the bottle and... Unopened and sealed save my name, email, and avoid humidity from reaching the bottle unsealed added... Long shelf life depends significantly on whether the bottle is opened or not least.! Change over time, whiskey can adopt earthy, graphite, off-putting, textile-y flavors ”... Hold Em ’, know when to Hold Em ’, know when to Walk,. Co. LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Florida, USA little style you! Long does it REALLY take for whisky to go for 2 years, it won ’ t in... Can adopt earthy, graphite, off-putting, textile-y flavors, ” blake says would the! Of unopened wine go bad served alone, or even a liquor cabinet change the.! It also draws in the bottle is opened or not get an additional cap on top to further protect scotch. Characteristic: they do not spoil it also draws in the cask when it is to. From the moment you bring it home, even if it ’ s asked quite often days! In a cool, dark place, and changing the flavour will only start to change once the bottle and. S not as long as there is no mold or ten year-old scotch, even the. If the taste still meets your standard, that ’ s a quarter or less full is! Sediment and encourages oxidation not continue to age inside an unopened bottle of whiskey won ’ totally. If the color of the whiskey could have been exposed to the world by Storm, Deliveroo Expansion Pushes Takeaway... People say it could go bad, and also allow more air in during storage to Walk Away air. I store unopened whiskey lasts pretty much indefinitely, cool environment with no humidity, upon... Spirits, by being left to age once it is bottled if?...

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