Does Whiskey Expire?
Whether you’re serious about starting a whiskey collection or just dusting off an old bottle from your liquor cabinet, you may be wondering: does whiskey go bad? Some alcohol, like wine, gets better in the bottle over time, but this isn’t true for all types of booze, including whiskey. Unopened whiskey can last indefinitely, but a bottle that has been opened will eventually expire due to oxidation.
What is The Shelf Life of Unopened Whiskey?
If you haven’t opened the bottle, you’re in luck. When stored properly, unopened whiskey has an almost indefinite shelf life. That’s right, your prized whiskey will be just as good years from now as it is today.
How Long Does Whiskey Last After It’s Been Opened?
Whiskey is meant to be enjoyed over time, but once you open a bottle, the clock starts ticking. Most scientists believe that if your bottle is at least half full, it can last one to two years, but if it’s almost empty, with a quarter or less whiskey left, it’ll expire in about six months. Why is this? It all comes down to oxygen. The less whiskey there is in the bottle, the more oxygen it has, and the quicker oxidation can occur. Oxidation can change the flavor of the whiskey over time and eventually lead to expiration.
Does Whiskey Go Bad in Heat?
Exposing your bottles to direct sunlight, heat, and temperature changes won’t make your whiskey go bad overnight, but it can affect the taste of the spirit in both open and unopened bottles. Swings in temperature cause whiskey to expand and contract in volume, picking up oxygen along the way. UV rays can remove pigments in whiskey over time, altering its color. And high temperatures can cause more whiskey to evaporate. To avoid this, choose a cool, dark place to store your whiskey bottles.
How to Properly Store & Seal Whiskey
Want to avoid having your favorite bottle of whiskey go bad faster than it should? These tips for properly storing your whiskey will help preserve its taste longer than if it wasn’t stored properly.
- Stash in a dark place. Light is the enemy of alcohol, so avoid putting your whiskey bottles on display on a bar cart by a window and opt for a pantry, wine cellar, or liquor cabinet that doesn’t get direct sunlight instead.
- Keep your bottles cool. Whiskey lasts best below room temperature, but if you don’t have a cool place to store your bottles, room temperature storage will suffice. Just avoid excessive heat or sudden changes in temperature.
- Store upright. Never store a corked whiskey bottle on its side. Whiskey corks don’t seal as tightly as wine corks and can leak or lead to more evaporation over time.
- Retighten regularly. Corks and even screw caps can loosen over time, so make sure to go into your collection and keep the seal tight every now and again.
- Redistribute opened bottles. Extend the shelf life of opened whiskey by pouring it into smaller bottles. The smaller the bottle, the less room for oxygen and the slower the oxidation process.
Does Whiskey Get Better With Age?
Unlike wine, whiskey that’s been bottled does not get better with age, so there’s really no reason for you to let your whiskey collect dust in a cellar, especially when you can enjoy it with friends or family or while relaxing with a nice whiskey co*cktail. Like other hard liquors, whiskey gets its flavor during the distilling process as it ages in the barrel. Once whiskey is bottled, maturation ends. For master distillers, it’s a carefully monitored process. The longer the whiskey ages in the barrel, the more flavorful and complex it gets (and the more desirable it is for whiskey aficionados). But it’s all a balance: Letting it mature too long will make it woody and bitter.
Learn More: How to Drink Whiskey Properly
Can You Get Sick from Drinking Old Whiskey?
If you found an old bottle of whiskey in the back of a liquor cabinet and want to give it a try, have no fear: In general, old liquor will not make you sick like other expired items. The only risk it poses is delivering a dull taste and underwhelming drinking experience. What can make you sick is overindulging in alcohol, so always make sure to drink alcohol in moderation.
Add BLACKENED® to Your Collection
Now that you know all about how long whiskey lasts and how to store it properly, there’s no better time to add a bottle of BLACKENED® to your whiskey collection! Shop our latest limited edition releases, including Rye the Lightning—crafted from Kentucky straight rye whiskeys aged between 5-8 years and double cask finished in Madeira and rum barrels— and Masters of Whiskey Series: BLACKENED x WILLET, made in collaboration with the elite Kentucky distiller. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest releases to add to your collection.
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I'm a whiskey enthusiast with a deep understanding of the complexities involved in the aging and preservation of this fine spirit. My passion for whiskey extends beyond casual consumption, and I've explored the nuances of whiskey production, maturation, and the impact of environmental factors on its flavor profile.
Now, addressing the question at hand: does whiskey expire? Unopened whiskey, when stored correctly, has an almost indefinite shelf life. The key here is proper storage, which involves keeping the bottle in a cool, dark place and avoiding exposure to direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. The primary reason for whiskey expiration, once opened, is oxidation. As the bottle gets emptier, there is more space for oxygen, and this accelerates the oxidation process, ultimately affecting the flavor of the whiskey.
The article mentions that an unopened bottle of whiskey can last indefinitely, but an opened bottle may last one to two years if it's at least half full. However, if the bottle is almost empty (a quarter or less whiskey left), it's likely to expire in about six months due to increased exposure to oxygen.
Furthermore, environmental factors such as heat and UV rays can impact the taste of both open and unopened bottles. Whiskey should be stored in a cool, dark place to prevent temperature-related issues, pigment alteration, and excessive evaporation.
The article provides valuable tips for proper whiskey storage:
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Dark Place: Store whiskey in a dark location to protect it from light, which can adversely affect the alcohol.
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Cool Temperature: Whiskey lasts best below room temperature. Avoid excessive heat or sudden temperature changes.
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Upright Storage: Unlike wine, whiskey bottles with corks should be stored upright to prevent leakage and increased evaporation.
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Retighten Regularly: Check and tighten the bottle seals regularly to prevent air from entering.
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Redistribute Opened Bottles: Pour opened whiskey into smaller bottles to minimize the oxygen exposure and slow down the oxidation process.
The article also dispels the notion that whiskey improves with age once bottled. Unlike wine, whiskey does not mature in the bottle, and its flavor is fixed at the time of bottling. The aging process occurs during the time the whiskey spends in barrels, and master distillers carefully monitor this to achieve the desired flavor profile.
Additionally, it reassures that drinking old whiskey is generally safe, though it may deliver a dull taste. The real risk lies in overindulgence, so moderation is always advised.
In conclusion, the article not only addresses the expiration concerns but also provides practical tips for proper whiskey storage and emphasizes the importance of enjoying this fine spirit responsibly.
