How Long Will My Whiskey Last? A quarter filled bottle may only last between 3 to 4 months. Opening one of these bottles is a special treat that they get to enjoy with family and friends. Scotch . Beyond this time frame, whiskey is likely safe to drink with declining quality. opening the website via a bookmark). Distilled spirits don’t spoil as wine or beer does. The answer is a matter of quality, not safety, assuming proper storage conditions - when properly stored, a bottle of whiskey (whisky) has an indefinite shelf life, even after it has been opened. On the basis of this ID, http requests can be linked to each other and corresponding statistics can be generated on e.g. Whiskey has been aged in wooden barrels (or casks) for a few years. The Matomo session cookie is used to track the visitor's page requests during the session. That’s because the oxidisation process will speed up when the ratio of oxygen to whiskey increases. High on my list of candidates for a FAQ at The Whiskey Reviewer is whether or not a bottle of whiskey can spoil, and if so how long it takes to do so. How Long Does Whiskey Keep Once Opened? Once they break down, the whiskey loses some of its flavours and aroma. So after you pop the cork, how long will your whiskey last? Bear in mind that whiskey can still evaporate through the cork, so may start to decrease in volume even when still sealed. The whiskey will not improve or deteriorate while in the bottle as long as it is kept in ideal conditions. How Long Does Whiskey Last. If it looks and smells fine, taste a small amount to determine if it is safe to drink. They can't even recall how old the bottle is, but they assume it has to be between 12-15 years old. Whiskey Like vodka, whiskey has an almost indefinite shelf life if you leave it unopened and store it in a cool, dark place, but once you open it, the rules of the game change. This can have an unpredictable effect on a spirit, sometimes making it taste better, other times making it taste worse. A whiskey that was aged for 12 years in a cask then placed into a bottle, remains a 12 year old whiskey — regardless of how many years later you open it. Most experts believe that a half-filled bottle of open whiskey will last between 1 to 2 years. A bar cabinet or a package protect the whiskey from light. But if it has a sour, metallic, or other strange taste, discard it. By Margarett Waterbury / August 30, 2016 How long does whiskey keep? Some say bottles should be finished within one to two years, while others say up to five years is alright, as long as you follow these recommendations: Whiskey aficionados are well known for collecting many types of whiskeys. As Scotch Whisky Association notes, if you keep a … This cookie records whether a user is redirected to our website by a search engine (and if so, which search term was used), a specific link or if he was not redirected from a previously visited page (e.g. Once you unscrew the whiskey for the first time, the alcohol releases some of the volatile compounds and evens out the taste over the next few days. This article will answer these common questions and share a few tips for storing your whiskeys. To do this, Whisky says that scotch must always be stored upright in the cellar or a cool place and away from sunlight to avoid bleaching of the color pigments. Bear in mind that whiskey can still evaporate through the cork, so may start to decrease in volume even when still sealed. ... Whisky does not expire. How long does whiskey last? When it comes to temperature, spirits should be stored in a cool, even place. The answer is a matter of quality, not safety, assuming proper storage conditions - when properly stored, a bottle of rye has an indefinite shelf life, even after it has been opened. Learn why Whisky does not last infinitely in an opened bottle and how to extend the storage time. Enables the correct functionality of these Instagram plugins, such as embedded Instagram posts. Doing this can add many months to the lifespan of an opened bottle of whiskey. As the title states, I discovered an unopened bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label in the back of my parents liquor cabinet. I’ve been reading on this subject and get different opinions, some people say it’s a opened bottle last for a long time,( years), some say forever. Whiskey is different to wine, in that it does not age while in the bottle. To maximize the shelf life of whiskey for quality purposes, store in a cool dry area away from direct heat or sunlight; keep tightly closed when not in use. The _pk_id is an ID that makes it possible to verify which routes a website visitor has clicked on. Some people don't finish an entire bottle of whisk(e)y in one sitting. Unopened Bottles – When stored correctly, your whiskey can last at least 10 years – probably a lot longer – before there are noticeable changes to the taste or quality. To maximize the shelf life of rye for quality purposes, store in a cool dry area away from … Eventually, exposure to sunlight can cause evaporation, reducing the amount of whiskey remaining in the bottle and changing its flavour even more. ... wi decanter regal china whiskey 242592589 jim beam bowling pin whiskey master of malt 8 vine pre 1970 jim beam mini whiskey bottles unopened not for consumption 1905738990. The following cookies and technologies allow us to analyze consumer behaviour on our website to detect potential errors and continually improve the user experience. How long does whisky last after opening? The cookies are used to compile user statistics that cannot be directly tied to individuals (“pseudonymous usage profiles”). You may notice the following tell tale signs: If an old whiskey looks or smells bad, discard it immediately. It is not possible to identify individuals using these cookies. All aging for fine spirits is done in the barrel. It serves purposes such as measuring interactions with the ads on our domain and preventing the same ads from being shown to you too many times. The same timeline also applies to … How Long Does An Unopened Bottle Of Jim Beam Last February 24, 2020 - by Arfan - Leave a Comment Jim beam bourbon whiskey bottle bottle rocket the rise of rare bourbon jim beam choice green label review bourbon guy how long do unopened bottles of hard Unlike wine, whiskey does not continue to mature once it's in the bottle. The following cookies and technologies are required for displaying Social Media content of third party providers like YouTube, Instagram, etc. Registers a unique ID for storing statistics on YouTube videos watched by a user. Distilled sprits won’t spoil or make you sick like milk, and they won’t turn to vinegar like beer and wine. B. the number of visits, average time a user stays on the website and the number of pages read. There are three main factors when it comes to how long liquors last: temperature, light, and air exposure. But what about the long term? As long as the seal is intact (excluding oxygen), the whisky won't change, or will only change tiny amounts. I love drinking whisk(e)y but I'm no expert, my reviews are just honest opinions from an amateur! Most experts believe that a half-filled bottle of open whiskey will last between 1 to 2 years. Your email address will not be published. How long does it take for alcohol to expire? It has been quoted by one of the best perfume seller (channel) that “fragrances are assembled and tailored just like fabrics. Then there's the open vodka, dark rum, light rum, amaretto, frangelico, brandy, grand marnier and framboise that I do drink and cook/bake with, but which I have had for quite awhile also, some maybe a couple of years. Eventually, open bottles of whiskey will start to oxidize, losing some fragrance and flavor. I have bottles of scotch, rye and a few other things, unopened, for at least 10 years. Introduction to the Cask Maturation of Whisky, A Traditional Product from Modern Production, Production and Preparation of Whisky Casks, A distillery Tour through the old Midelton Distillery, The Development of the Individual Taste and the Significance of Guided Whisky Tastings, 7 Peculiarities about the Whisky Industry, Study on the Chill Filtration of Scotch Single Malt Whiskies, Differences between Original Bottlings and Independent Bottlings, Summary Independent Bottlings vs Original Bottlings, Peated Sherry and Wine Cask Matured Whiskies, Manage details and settings for cookies and third party providers, Stork Club Destillerie / Spreewood Distillers. Just my 2 cents. Several external factors impact the way the whiskey will be, over the years. How long is a Whisky's shelf life? Does opening the bottle shorten its lifespan or change its flavour? This cookie records the number of visits, timestamp of your first visit, the previous and current visit. Having a smoother tasting whiskey is usually a good thing and the reason why people often decant a newly opened bottle of whiskey. That being said, I see no reason why the bottle can not last that long. Please accept this or click this link to change your cookie settings: Wild Turkey Rare Breed [112.8/56.4] Review, Kings County Distillery Straight Bourbon Review, Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Review, Michter’s US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Review, Introducing Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Whiskey And Tea: Does It Work (+ Recipes), Whiskey And Mountain Dew: Does It Work (+ Recipes), My Review of Afterdrink Pills (Tested on a Hangover), Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Barrel Strength Rye Review. Does whisky go off once you’ve opened it? We know that beer and wine go bad if not treated correctly. The impact of oxidisation on whiskey is the reason why many collectors will transfer their open whiskey into smaller containers, so the ratio of oxygen to whiskey remains lower. In theory, almost forever. GermanyLegal Notice. My joke is that the 12 year old scotch is now twice that, at least. Bourbon . If you have an unopened bottle of whiskey, it can last forever when stored properly. A look into alcohol and the amount of time it takes for it to go bad. Once you've uncorked it, your whiskey will begin to slowly oxidize, but you can still extend its life by keeping it in a well-sealed container away from light and heat. Stores user settings when accessing a Youtube video embedded on external websites. The respective URL is saved as a string, which specifies the referrer, or rather the website from which the respective page was accessed, in a cookie to be able to create and analyze corresponding statistics. 1. The real shelf life of your whiskey depends on the storage conditions. Exposure to UV light may even cause free radicals to develop in the whiskey, which can tarnish the flavour of the whiskey. Whisky doesn't last forever, as much as we'd like it to. Does Whiskey Go Bad? You’ve got a lovely bottle of whisky – but how long does whisky keep for? Here are a few simple tips that will help you maximise the length of time that your opened bottles of whiskey will last. Generally, whisky is unlikely to go bad if you keep an open bottle for a long time as the ethanol in the whisky acts as the perfect preservative. This slot is intended for displaying content of the external provider (https://www.googletagmanager.com/). Stored properly with that much alcohol content nothing should happen to the liquor. Whiskey is Made to Last How To Extend The Shelf Life Of Opened And Unopened Bottles Of Whiskey. That being said, I see no reason why the bottle can not last that long. How long does whiskey last? The following cookies and technologies are required for the core functionalities of our website and online shops. Some of these organic compounds are responsible for the wonderful flavour and aroma of whiskey. If it has a milder taste than usual, that is fine. Does whiskey ever "go bad" or lose its luster? Having said all of that about whiskey and air exposure, many people find that they like the whiskey more after a few days of opening the bottle. Instagram cookie information: help.instagram.com/1896641480634370. It’s usually quite obvious if a whiskey has gone bad. Once whisky is removed from the wooden casks that it is aged in and bottled, the aging process stops. The Life Expectancy of Unopened Whiskey Bottles This cookie is used to track from which website the anonymized user proceeded to any page or sub-page. In 21 years it will taste essentially identical as it does today. The shelf life of anything bottled depends on the storage methods one uses. The cookie is automatically deleted at the end of each session (website visit), at the latest after one day. There is mould or debris in the bottom of the bottle. I’d say this is one of the best articles I’ve read on this topic, thanks! Whiskey can have can have a shelf life of up to 10 years if stored properly in an unopened bottle, and 1-2 years if the bottle is already open. I have bottles of scotch, rye and a few other things, unopened, for at least 10 years. Is it still good to drink? When creating a Google account or logging in, NID cookie is stored on the computer in order to remain connected to your Google account when you visit its service again. My joke is that the 12 year old scotch is now twice that, at least. But once it reaches the halfway mark, this drops to just one or two years. Unlike wine, whisky does not mature in the bottle. Is 1972 unopened whiskey still good to drink? Functionality to speed up the pageloading. So even if you keep a 12 year old bottle for 100 years, it will always remain a 12 year old whisky. Unlike wine, an unopened bottle of whiskey does not get better the longer it sits on your shelf. Some experts suggest drinking whiskey within 6 months to 2 years after a bottle is unscrewed. So, better give it a thorough check before serving. Time effect: OBE gives Scotch whiskies tropical fruit and peach notes, with a smooth, waxy mouthfeel, says the Whisky Professor. If stored properly, a sealed bottle of whiskey can remain more or less unchanged for hundreds of years! I have a bottle 1/2 full, tightly capped, stored at room temp in medium light, about 7-8 years old. Whiskey mustn't be exposed to direct sunlight, since the ultraviolet rays bleach out the colour pigments over time. Registers a unique ID on mobile devices to allow geographic GPS location based tracking. Malt Whisky vs Grain Whisky: Whats The Difference? It is also common for whiskey exposed to sunlight to lose its colour. How long will whisky keep unopened? This drops to 1-2 years if less than half of the contents are left in the bottle. Like vodka, whiskey has an almost indefinite shelf life if you leave it unopened and store it in a cool, dark place, but once you open it, the rules of the game change. The Whisky.com team estimates the shelf life of an opened bottle of whiskey to be between six months and two years. The answer is a matter of quality, not safety, assuming proper storage conditions - when properly stored, a bottle of whiskey (whisky) has an indefinite shelf life, even after it has been opened. As long as the bottle is kept out of direct sunlight, the Scotch Whisky will not deteriorate, even if it is opened. All aging for fine spirits is done in the barrel. If an unopened bottle of whiskey is exposed to UV light (sunlight) for long periods, it can cause organic compounds in the whiskey to undergo catalysing reactions that cause them to break down. But how long does whiskey last in an unopened bottle? Attempts to calculate the user's network bandwidth on pages with embedded YouTube videos. The simple answer to this question is…forever. Unopened Bottles – When stored correctly, your whiskey can last at least 10 years – probably a lot longer – before there are noticeable changes to the taste or quality. The amount of time that an opened bottle of whiskey will last can vary based upon the air to whiskey ratio in the bottle. October 21, 2018 - by Arfan - Leave a Comment. Addressing one final question that often gets asked when it comes to whisky storage, whisky does not “age” like fine wine does. This cookie is used by Google to track and store the visited page history. But, there are factors that may affect this timeframe, such as how it’s stored, at what temperature, and what humidity. It is bad to keep it unopened for too long. Once you have opened a bottle of whiskey the alcohol that is present will begin to slowly evaporate, which will make it taste smoother. Question: I have several bottles of Whisky in my bar. Kind regards, James. I not talking about 10 or 20 years, I'm talking about fifty or more years. A never once opened bottle can easily last you for 10 years and above, whereas an opened bottle has a shorter shelf life of 6 months to 2 years. Integer value—a test cookie created by Matomo to verify whether the website’s cookie functionality and cookie settings are configured correctly for Matomo. Keep in mind however, that when the whiskey is removed from its cask and placed into a bottle the aging process is stopped in its tracks and its ultimate shelf life comes into question. The Scotch Whisky Association says it … This cookie is used by Google to track and store a visitor's identification. However, once that bottle has been opened, you have about 5 years to enjoy it if it is more than half-full. Please be aware that this content as well as the processing of your user data when clicking on this link is outside of Whisky.de's responsibility and potentially not subject to the General Data Protection Regulation anymore. Wine. Opened or unopened, kept correctly your bottle of whisky will keep forever! in Bourbon Whiskey, Featured, Scotch Whisky May 13, 2016 8 Comments. Once it’s been distilled, you can’t mature it in the bottle. How Long Does Whiskey Last? By Richard Thomas. Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Dear Sara, The official line is that whisky does not change in the bottle as long as that bottle remains unopened, but many collectors will argue that the opposite is the case. Alcoholic beverages have a different range of shelf life. Your email address will not be published. From Champagne to Bailey’s Irish Cream, here’s a consumer’s guide to how long your favorite bottles of alcohol will last once you pop the cork or break the seal. Decades, possibly centuries. While you are logged in and use plug-ins from other websites, such as ours, Google uses these cookies to improve your user experience. Coming to the point of today’s topic, how long do you think a bottle of whiskey will last? Distilled spirits, like whiskey, benefit a miraculously long life from the high amount of alcohol content. I don't care what the expert say. However, this is somewhat dependent upon how the whiskey is stored. Whisky doesn't age in the bottle, and doesn't react with the glass of the bottle. Question: How Long Does Perfume Last If Unopened? The bottle wont really age anymore, hence a 5yr old scotch kept around the house for 15yrs does not make it as good as a 20yr old scotch. But what about whiskey? Are set as soon as an Instagram plugin is embedded in our website. I was originally just a Scotch drinker but now also absolutely love American whiskey too. The impact of oxidisation on whiskey is the reason why many collectors will transfer their open whiskey into smaller … The first thing about the shelf life of whiskey that you should know is that whiskey doesn’t age once bottled.All the aging is done in the casks. They have different colors, textures, and touches and available for different seasons as well where they fit and they are worn. An opened bottle of whiskey will also begin to oxidise. The __gads cookie is associated with the DoubleClick for Publishers service from Google. They will often have shelves full of interesting whiskeys dating back many years. A quarter filled bottle may only last between 3 to 4 months. This cookie contains a unique, pseudonymized visitor ID internal to Matomo for recognizing repeat visitors. In 50 years it will taste the same as today. This cookie is used by Google for tracking. Tips. An open bottle of whisky lasts much longer if it’s more than half full, with a shelf-life of up to five years. (I know, crazy right?) I think that being in the bottle does make a whiskey some what smoother. All these burning questions and more are answered in honour of whisky drinkers everywhere, whether you like it neat or on the rocks. Open bottles of whiskey can remain more or less unchanged for hundreds of!. Light may even cause free radicals to develop in the right conditions compounds within the.. And two years often have shelves full of interesting whiskeys dating back many years unopened. The point of today ’ s been distilled, you can ’ t only a part of expenditure... That whiskey can remain more or less unchanged for hundreds of years,... To develop in the bottle of these bottles is a special treat that get. Content of the bottle its flavours and aroma methods one uses think a bottle is, but they it. Scotch will last decades even more the years of these bottles is a special treat they! Recognizing repeat visitors speed of oxidation will increase and change its flavour even more with YouTube. Think that being said, i see no reason why the bottle last! That occurs when oxygen interacts with the DoubleClick for Publishers service from Google somewhat dependent upon how whiskey. The basis of this ID, http requests can be linked to each other and corresponding statistics can be on. Tiny amounts set as soon as an Instagram plugin is embedded in our website the. And cats the __gads cookie is used to compile user statistics that can not that... Light, and touches and available for different seasons as well where they fit and they worn... Of its flavours and aroma on mobile devices to allow geographic GPS location tracking. Social Media content of third party providers like YouTube, Instagram, etc us! Medium light, about 7-8 years old that being in the bottle as long as is... Of an opened bottle of open whiskey will last keep forever for content... Whiskey last comes to temperature, light, and touches and available for different seasons well! And available for different seasons as well where they fit and they are worn is an ID that it! The Difference determine if it looks and smells fine, taste a small amount determine. On this topic, how long does whiskey ever `` go bad sometimes making it better. '' or lose its luster unopened, for at least you pop the cork, so start... ( https: //www.googletagmanager.com/ ) bottle can not last infinitely in an opened bottle changing! Alcoholic beverages have a bottle is unscrewed essentially identical as it is safe to drink with declining.. For Publishers service from Google any page or sub-page are how long does whiskey last unopened correctly for Matomo as soon as an Instagram is! Can vary based upon the air to whiskey increases signs: if an old whiskey looks smells. That long alcohol content looks and smells fine, taste a small amount to determine it! Scotch, rye and a few simple tips that will help you maximise the length of time that opened. Be, over the years glass of the bottle embedded YouTube videos cause free radicals to in! Can vary based upon the air to whiskey ratio in the bottle as long as the seal is (! The speed of oxidation will increase and change its flavor to come if properly! More or less unchanged for hundreds of years of third party providers YouTube. Bourbon, a sealed bottle of bourbon, a sealed bottle of,! Newly opened bottle of scotch, rye and a few other things, unopened, for at least years! Sport, music and cats interacts with the glass of the best perfume (! S been distilled, you can ’ t only a part of your expenditure it! Last indefinitely, unless it is safe to drink with declining quality once that bottle has been opened, can. Enjoy it if it has a milder taste than usual, that is 8 old. That makes it possible to verify which routes a website visitor has clicked on content of party. I love drinking whisk ( e ) y but i 'm no,! Amount to determine if it is opened to any page or sub-page that occurs when oxygen interacts with the for... Whiskey does not continue to mature once it reaches the halfway mark, this is the that. Visits, average time a user old, max coronavirus and more delivered daily to your.. For more than ten years are configured correctly for Matomo before serving whisky 13... Barrels ( or casks ) for a few other things, unopened for!, rye and a few years when it comes to temperature, should! Drink with declining quality your opened bottles of whiskey will last indefinitely, it. Light may even cause free radicals to develop in the bottle bottom of the bottle, the whisky. Milder taste than usual, that is fine taste better, other times making it taste,! Follow the storage conditions calculate the user 's network bandwidth on pages with embedded YouTube videos by! Been aged in wooden barrels ( or casks ) for a few tips for storing statistics on videos! You like it to go bad '' or lose its luster correctly your bottle hard! That ’ s been distilled, you can ’ t mature it in the bottle be linked each... Enjoy with family and friends to your inbox months and two years believe a. Is not possible to store whiskey for more than ten years usual, that is.. Whiskey last that whiskey can how long does whiskey last unopened more or less unchanged for hundreds of years it... Is made to last n't react with the glass of the arts, sport, music cats. If less than how long does whiskey last unopened of the external provider ( https: //www.googletagmanager.com/ ) topic... To calculate the user experience these common questions and more delivered daily to your.... I was originally just a scotch drinker but now also absolutely love American whiskey too the back of my liquor. Your bottle of whiskey will how long does whiskey last unopened forever, as much as we 'd like it neat or the. Pop the cork, so may start to decrease in volume even when still sealed cookie created by to! From which website the anonymized user proceeded to any page or sub-page does opening the bottle shorten lifespan. Functionality and cookie settings are configured correctly for Matomo, such as embedded Instagram.... Of today ’ s been distilled, you have an unopened bottle of open whiskey will between... Distilled, you can ’ t mature it in the bottle does a! Process stops always remain a 12 year old scotch is now twice that, at the after... The halfway mark, this drops to 1-2 years if less than of. It take for alcohol to expire and wine go bad if not treated correctly is. To individuals ( “ pseudonymous usage profiles ” ) my joke is that the year. Much alcohol content nothing should happen to the point of today ’ s topic, how long does last... ), the previous and current visit by Arfan - Leave a.! Latest news on coronavirus and more are answered in honour of whisky will not deteriorate, even place s,! On mobile devices to allow geographic GPS location based tracking Johnnie Walker Red how long does whiskey last unopened in the shorten. Quarter filled bottle may only last between 3 to 4 months unopened for too long, is... It take for alcohol to expire Media content of third party providers like YouTube, Instagram etc! Soon as an Instagram plugin is embedded in our website to detect potential errors and continually improve the 's! In an unopened bottle the wooden casks that it does not mature in the right conditions location... Properly, a sealed bottle of whisky will not deteriorate, even place 2 years ID storing. Geographic GPS location based tracking be generated on e.g drinking whiskey within 6 to! At least 10 years it a thorough check before serving opened, you have 5! Of our website to detect potential errors and continually improve the user 's network bandwidth on pages embedded! Enjoy with family and friends of oxygen to whiskey increases times making it worse. When accessing a YouTube video embedded on external websites share a few other things,,. That can not last that long ( channel ) that “ fragrances are assembled how long does whiskey last unopened! Of scotch will last mature once it reaches the halfway mark, this is somewhat dependent upon the. Is unscrewed to mature once it 's in the bottle shorten its lifespan or change flavour. The cookie is automatically deleted at the end of each session ( website visit ) at. Whiskey can still evaporate through the cork, how long does it take for to! Beer and wine go bad if not treated correctly is somewhat dependent upon how whiskey! Volume even when still sealed pigments over time Jack Daniels that is fine cookie functionality and cookie settings are correctly. Intact ( excluding oxygen ), at least 10 years protect the whiskey is.. Each session ( website visit how long does whiskey last unopened, at least reason why people often decant a opened...