Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Store unopened whiskey
• Method 2 of 2: Store whiskey in an opened bottle
• Tips

Unlike wine, whiskey does not continue to mature once bottled. Properly stored, a sealed bottle of whiskey can remain more or less unchanged for hundreds of years! Once you uncork the bottle, whiskey will slowly begin to oxidize, but you can still extend its life by keeping it tightly closed, away from light and heat.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Store unopened whiskey

1. Protect your bottles from direct light. Exposure to a lot of light, especially sunlight, initiates a number of chemical reactions that will both discolor your whiskey and affect the taste. Store your whiskey in a dark place, such as a wine cellar, cupboard, box, or dark pantry.
   • If you are a collector or retailer who likes to display the bottles of whiskey, keep in mind that exposure to direct sunlight will also cause the label to fade.
   • If you need to display whiskey where it will be exposed to light, consider placing it behind a window with a UV-blocking coating.
2. Keep the whiskey bottles in a place with cool, stable temperatures. Temperature fluctuations, especially exposure to heat, can affect the quality of your whiskey. When whiskey heats up, it expands in the bottle, which can eventually damage the seal and allow oxygen in. Keep your whiskey in a cool place with a constant temperature.
   • Try to keep whiskey in a place where the temperature stays between 15 and 20 ° C.
   • Chilling your whiskey or keeping it in the freezer won't hurt, but whiskey is less flavorful and aromatic when cold.
3. Store the whiskey bottles upright. Always keep your whiskey bottles in a vertical position. If you store the bottles horizontally or upside down, your whiskey will be in constant contact with the cork, eventually causing the cork to deteriorate. This can affect the taste of your whiskey and cause oxygen to leak into the bottle.
4. Turn your bottles from time to time to moisten the cork. You don't want your cork to be in constant contact with the whiskey in the bottle. However, a cork that is completely dry can crumble or crumble when you open the bottle. Keep your cork moist by turning the bottle upside down for a few seconds, once a month.
5. Keep your bottles away from moisture (optional). If your bottle is tightly closed, the moisture will not damage the whiskey itself. However, if you are concerned about keeping your bottles looking good, it is a good idea to store them in an area with low humidity. Too much humidity can damage the label or even lead to mold.

Method 2 of 2: Store whiskey in an opened bottle

1. Continue to protect the whiskey from light and heat. Once your whiskey has been opened, you must continue to protect it from the elements. Keep it in a cool, dark place, such as a wine cellar, pantry, closet, or box.
   • A mostly full, opened bottle of whiskey should last about a year, provided it is kept away from heat and light.
2. Keep your whiskey tightly closed. The greatest enemy of an opened bottle of whiskey is oxygen. When oxygen gets into the bottle, it reacts with the whiskey, eventually diminishing the flavor. Limit oxygen exposure by keeping the bottle tightly closed.
   • If the original cork just doesn't seal properly, you can buy a bottle cap that creates an airtight seal (like a Polyseal cap) or pour your whiskey into a hermetically sealed bottle.
3. Pour your whiskey into a carafe if you wish. Unlike wine, whiskey doesn't really benefit from a carafe. Decanting your whiskey doesn't hurt either, and a carafe of whiskey looks attractive and flashy. Make sure your carafe has a tight seal and place it in a cool place with a constant temperature.
   • Avoid carafes made of lead crystal. While these containers are very attractive and sparkling, there is a risk of lead leaking into your whiskey if you use them for long-term storage.
4. Drink the bottle faster the less it contains. The more "air" a bottle of whiskey has, the faster it will begin to oxidize. In other words, a mostly full bottle of whiskey will last much longer than a bottle that is nearly empty.
   • An almost full bottle of whiskey can keep for up to a year after opening, but a bottle that is only a quarter full will start to taste flatter after about a month. Once your bottle is a bit empty (for example, up to 1/3 of the bottle), it might be time to invite some friends over for a drink!
   • You can also keep your whiskey longer by dividing it into smaller bottles, should the level in the bottle drop too far.
5. Preserve the whiskey longer with a preservative spray. These sprays consist of harmless, inert gases (such as nitrogen and argon) that form a buffer between the whiskey and the oxygen that normally collects in the empty part of the bottle. While they are usually marketed as a wine preservative, they work for whiskey and other distilled drinks as well.
   • Follow the directions on the package to determine how to use the preservative spray.
   • You can buy these sprays online and perhaps at the liquor store.

Tips

• If you have used corks that are in good condition, keep them. If you have a bottle with a faulty or damaged cork, you can replace it with one of the corks you saved.