For How Long Is A Whisky Good Enough To Consume? Your Doubts About Storage, Oxidation And More—Answered
When it comes to whisky, its age statement is often celebrated. The older a whisky, the more it is considered to be of good quality. The labels on a whisky bottle indicative of its ageing are markers of depth, smoothness and luxury. But what happens once the bottle comes home?
Are you among the collectors of fine whiskies who have a good bottle at home but cannot infer for how long its flavours would remain intact? Are you an amateur collector riddled with questions such as: does the ageing continue after bottling, or how long is the whisky good enough to drink, once the bottle is opened?
How Long Does Whisky Last Before It is Opened?
When a whisky bottle is bought from the store, uncorked or unopened, it can last for an indefinite period of time, if stored right. The bottle carries a robust Alcohol By Volume or ABV, which means it can rest the way it is for a prolonged duration. When it remains away from exposure to any external elements such as heat or air, an unopened whisky bottle can remain intact through several years.
What are the most essential storing conditions for an unopened whisky bottle?
– Keeping the whisky upright is the first one. Whisky bottles ought to always be kept in a vertical position to prevent the high-proof spirit from corroding the cork itself. Such contact could potentially spoil the whisky.
– Store the whisky in a cool place, away from direct sunlight. Exposure to too much heat or light can alter the flavour compounds inside the bottle and make the label fade away.
– When stored in a darker place like a liquor cabinet, ensure the temperature of the cupboard is slightly cool as too much heat or humidity trapped within the storage can cause the cork to expand or the seal to weaken, which again increases the chances of impacting the spirit’s flavour negatively.
What happens after opening the whisky bottle?
Once the whisky bottle is opened however, the clock starts to tick. An opened whisky bottle means the drink instantly becomes exposed to the external elements and its character and flavours can evolve over time.
How long do whisky’s flavours remain intact once the bottle is opened?
– A whisky bottle opened and stored for up to six months remains unchanged if kept well and closed tightly.
– When the bottle is kept open for up to 12 months, subtle oxidation might mellow the sharper edges of the spirit or dull the lighter notes in the liquor.
– Over a period of time, such as a couple of years after a whisky bottle is opened, the flavours of the drink can flatten when the container is left exposed for far too long to the outside environment. Complex aromas like smoke, fruit or spice also begin to fade.
Also Read: Does Whisky Go Bad? Here’s How Long You Can Keep the Bottle Open
What about ageing? Does a whisky continue to age once bottled, and does this impact flavour?
Many believe that the ageing process continues even when the whisky is bottled; contrary to popular opinion, ageing only occurs in the whisky cask. In fact, ageing is a process which involves the interaction of the spirit with wood to extract its flavours and aromas. This stops when the whisky is transferred into a bottle. So, a connoisseur might essentially get hold of a 12-year-old single malt Scotch and its flavours would remain intact even if it is stored for another 12, just as long as it is preserved right.
Which are some of the more straightforward markers for testing whether a whisky is good enough to consume?
When you have stored whisky for quite a period of time, there are some indicators which would reveal to you if the spirit is good enough for serving or if it has turned.
– Appearance: If the liquid looks clear and consistent, the whisky is of good quality. Cloudiness may indicate the presence of some cork particles in the bottle.
– Aroma: When the whisky smells musty or seems to have lost out on its more aromatic notes, be sure that the drink might be something to keep away from the guests or personal consumption.
– Tasting Notes: One of the most prominent indicators is the taste of the spirit. A dull, thin or flat whisky means it has been exposed for far too long to external factors and has lost out on its flavour complexity.
Key Takeaways
– A whisky bottle bought from the store, uncorked or unopened, can last for an indefinite period of time, if stored right.
– However, once opened, the whisky bottle becomes exposed to external elements. This means, its character and flavour can evolve over time.
– There are some indicators such as appearance, aroma and taste that would tell if the spirit is still good to serve especially when it is stored for a long time.
FAQs:
– Why does a whisky bottle last for a long period when it is still unopened?
Generally, whisky carries a robust Alcohol By Volume or ABV level, which means the spirit can rest the way it is for a longer duration, when uncorked or unopened. All you have to do is store it right.
– What are some of the ways to preserve the flavours of good quality whisky?
Keeping the whisky bottle upright, storing it away from direct sunlight and controlling the temperature of the cabinet in which it is stored in order to minimise fluctuations are some of the ways to preserve the flavours of good quality whisky.
– What are the different indicators to assess whether a whisky has retained its flavours?
A clear appearance of a whisky, complex aromas and robust flavours that have remained intact, are good enough indicators to be sure that the spirit has retained its flavours.
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
