How to Store Bottled Whisky
Keeping your whisky as fresh as the day it was bottled is not hard
Whisky is a pretty sturdy spirit, but certain things can hurt the flavor. Here are a few suggestions to keep your whisky at its best.
What’s best for most perishable goods is best for bottled whisky. It should be stored in a cool dry place, which maintains a stable temperature throughout the year.
If bottled whisky is allowed to sit in direct sunlight, it will lose some of its color and detract from its original flavor. Similarly if the temperature fluctuates too much this could also be a negative to the spirit.
No special equipment needed
Unless it’s a very old, very rare bottle of whisky, there is no need for wine rack type storage. Whisky can be stored upright, the high amount of alcohol will keep the cork moist enough avoid shrinkage which cold lead to rotten corks and contaminated whisky.
If the whisky is very old then it may be better to store it on it’s side because the cork may be deteriorated and may need extra help to stay moist and maintain an airtight seal.
Unopened bottles of whisky can be stored for years or decades without loss of flavor or aroma.
Once the seal is broken
After a bottle of whisky has been opened the contents begin to deteriorate immediately. Clam down; it takes a while. The enemy of whisky and other sprits is air. Once air is allowed into the bottle it begins to oxidize the contents changing flavors on a molecular level. The more air is in the bottle the quicker the process will occur. However, if keep in proper conditions, as mentioned above, an open bottle of whisky can last for about a year without significant damage to it’s taste.
That doesn’t mean that if you are down to two or three drinks in a bottle, that you can keep it for a year. Remember, the more air the faster the deterioration will be. A small amount of whisky should be fine for a few months.
Obviously, these are long-term storage solutions for those looking to start a whisky collection. It’s not different than wine collecting or any other type of collections. You want to have them, show them, off and never ever sell or drink them, unless there is a life altering reason to pop one open.
If you’re going to drink your bottled Scotch over a few weeks or maybe over a weekend, keep it wherever you like.
And remember unlike wine, whisky does not age in the bottle, so unless you're collecting, enjoy.
