Whisky Storing 101: A Guide To Preserving Flavours And Premium Selections
Held every year on the third Saturday of May, World Whisky Day is a chance for whisky lovers and newcomers alike to discover more about the drink. But while most people focus on the "where to source" or "how to drink" part of appreciating whisky, one burning question in the minds of budding whisky enthusiasts or connoisseurs who are only now starting to build their own collection of whiskies is how to store them properly. This is because storing whisky in the most effective manner can actually preserve its flavour, prevent it from becoming too oxidised and retain its hue.
Expensive whisky bottles that are heavy on the pocket are actually an investment for a connoisseur and when these get exposed to too much light and lose out on their flavours and textures, it can be disheartening to find this expense going into heavy losses. So, knowing more about how to preserve whisky and store it well can go a long way in enabling an enthusiast to build a selection of premium spirits in the home bar.
Keep Bottles Sealed
One of the paramount tips involved in storing whisky is to keep the bottle sealed until it is time to use the spirit for adding to cocktails or serving on the rocks. Keeping the bottles sealed ensures that the liquor’s quality does not degrade even if it is exposed to light or too much humidity. While whisky stops aging once it is bottled, keeping it sealed nonetheless prolongs its shelf life. This is a particularly useful hack for anyone who has a bottle of a select edition Scotch whisky or single malt that is going to be stored for longer and is reserved for a special occasion. Store the drink upright to prevent contact with the cork which can disintegrate over time.
Avoid Light Exposure
The next most crucial element in storing whisky is avoiding direct exposure to light. Too much of bright light can break down flavour compounds in the spirit and its label might fade too, making the whisky bottle lose out on its overall appearance. Store the whisky in a dark cupboard or pantry or even a bar cabinet that is located away from direct sunlight. And when the whisky bottle is going to be used for presentation or display, ensure that it is kept in a case that is protected by UV blocking glass such that it is away from an exposure to light that will affect its taste and composition.
Reseal After Pouring
As well, when it is time to open the bottle for use in cocktail craft or for serving whisky on the rocks, unseal the bottle and using a jigger add it to the mixology recipe. As soon as this is done, put on the cork or cap immediately because once opened, exposure to air would slowly start to affect the flavour of the drink. And too much of this exposure would mellow the whisky down to eventually flatten its taste.
Avoid this by tightly resealing the whisky bottle with parafilm or wax tape that is wrapped around the cork. Another hack is to transfer the whisky into small bottles which can be opened across greater time intervals to slow down the mingling of whisky with external air that affects its overall flavour profile.
Be Mindful Of Shelf Life
And, it is important to know that whisky bottles once opened have a shelf life of about one or two years when they are almost full. A whisky bottle which contains less than a third of the whisky would retain its flavours only for three to six months. A useful hack for connoisseurs then is to go for small whisky bottles which can be opened hasslefree and stored for a long period. Since moderate humidity is fine for storing whisky, such small bottles can last for about a year so they can be used as and when required without worrying about losing out on the taste of these expensive selections.
This World Whisky Day, utilise these easy-to-follow tips to store all variations of whisky you have access to with panache and expertise.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
