Do spirits go bad?

Spirits are completely shelf stable. Unlike wine, which can sometimes develop an off taste during storage, or rapidly go downhill once it's been opened, liquor will keep indefinitely.

How long can you keep a bottle of spirits?

Once the manufacturer bottles the liquor, it stops aging. After opening, it should be consumed within 6–8 months for peak taste, according to industry experts (3). However, you may not notice a change in taste for up to a year — especially if you have a less discerning palate (3).

Do alcohol spirits expire?

Does Liquor Expire? Unopened liquor has an indefinite shelf life. Opened liquor lasts about a year or two before it goes bad, meaning it starts losing its color and flavor. Don't use a liquor for well drinks if you won't use the whole bottle within two years.

Do spirits last forever?

Spirits are usually high enough in proof that their alcohol content will preserve them indefinitely. Of course, because of that same alcohol content, you need to be sure to store them in a cool place.

Is liquor good after 20 years?

Unlike some wines, distilled spirits don't age or mature in the bottle. Your unopened bottle of scotch that's been on the shelf for 20 years will taste the same as it would have the day it was bottled. However, once you open a bottle, some liquors will go bad, and others will lose their character over months or years.

Does Alcohol Go Bad, Stale or Expire?

Is 50 year old whiskey still good?

50-year-old whisky is almost the holy grail in spirits terms. Very few casks of whisky will reach 50 years old and still be drinkable, representing a tiny, tiny fraction of a percent.

What happens if you drink expired alcohol?

Even if you open a bottle and let it sit, it will not expire, but the alcohol may start to evaporate as it oxidizes. It is recommended to drink spirits 6 months to a year after being opened. After a spirit has expired, you can still drink it, but the alcohol content will be decreased.

Does unopened whiskey go bad?

Unopened bottles of whisky won't oxidise, so you should avoid decanting it until the bottle has been opened, and is less than half full. Whisky matures, like most spirits, by being left to age in the cask before it is bottled.

How do you store spirits?

Storing Spirits at Home

Simply ensure that you store spirits upright so that they don't develop a metallic taste from the cap, at room temperature, and don't expose the bottles to direct sunlight, as UV rays aren't just harmful to our skin – they can actually be harmful to our spirits too!

How long can you keep whiskey unopened?

If sealed correctly, scotch whiskey has a shelf life between 6 months to 2 years, whereas an opened bottle of wine can only last for a few days. Proper storage of unopened whiskey gives it a shelf life of about 10 years.

Does Jack Daniels expire?

The hard stuff — distilled spirits such as vodka or rum or bourbon, etc. — does not go bad in a sealed, unopened bottle. If you have an unopened bottle of Jack Daniels you bought 20 years ago, it's going to taste pretty much the same as it did the day it was bottled.

Does vodka go bad?

No, vodka doesn't have a use-by date since it doesn't really expire because it has an indefinite shelf life. Unlike wine, other spirits like gin, tequila, rum, and whiskey, vodka stops aging once it has been bottled. Also, any spirit above 40% ABV or 80 alcohol proof doesn't have an expiration date.

Does gin go bad?

Once opened, gin can be stored for years without going bad, unless you keep it in an unsealed bottle next to a radiator or in direct sunlight. However, even if tightly resealed, the taste and quality of gin in an opened bottle will very gradually start to change as it reacts with oxygen in the air.

How long can you keep gin for?

In summary, you can keep a bottle of Gin indefinitely unopened. Once you open your Gin and store it under the right conditions, we would recommend consuming it within a year. Gin does not go bad and you are highly unlikely to get ill by consuming a bottle of Gin that has been opened years.

Can you refrigerate spirits?

Sweet liqueurs – such as the likes of Jägermeister, Baileys, Kahlúa and Limoncello – are best kept in the fridge. While it's not a requirement, most people prefer sweeter spirits to be cooler as they don't need to be served with a cold mixer to be enjoyed.

Can liquor be stored in a garage?

In Summary

You can store unopened bottles of alcohol in a climate controlled garage. Just keep them standing up, in a cool, dark place. Do not store them in the garage if your garage is not climate controlled. Opened bottles can be kept at room temperature.

What are storage conditions for spirits?

Keep it cool

For common distilled spirits, such as whiskey, vodka, gin, rum and tequila, the general rule of thumb is to store them at room temperature. Though some experts say the ideal range is slightly lower, between 55 and 60 degrees. Keeping them in a relatively cool place preserves them longer.

Can you drink 100 year old whiskey?

It will be fine to drink an old bottle of whiskey that was opened a few years ago, but kept sealed in a pantry for this long period of time. It might not taste great (especially if it is almost empty), but it is safe to drink.

Does Baileys go bad?

Baileys Original lasts 2 years from the day of bottling, opened or unopened when stored at the optimum temperature (0 to 25°C/32 to 77°F). For other Baileys products, shelf life varies depending on the flavour. See below for the full list.

How long does rum last unopened?

An unopened bottle of rum will last forever (unchanged), if evaporation of the liquid is avoided, rum and other distilled spirits live “forever”. Though there would be some changes in flavors due to oxidation over the years, which is seen by connoisseurs and collectors as a good thing.

How much is a 100 year old bottle of whiskey worth?

This 100-Year-Old Bottle of Whiskey Can Be Yours for Just $17,000.

Can you drink whiskey from 1970?

If you have a bottle of whiskey that was opened a few years ago and it was kept sealed in the pantry for this time, the alcohol will be fine. It might not taste the best (especially if the bottle is half empty), but it will be safe to consume.

What alcohol tastes better with age?

And it isn't just because they're old, though age makes the whiskys taste better. The wood from the barrels a Scotch (or any whisky) is aged in tends to break down the rougher flavors in the alcohol, leaving you with a smoother taste.

Can Old gin make you sick?

Like other hard spirits, gin can stay safe for consumption indefinitely. The high alcohol content — the standard 35 percent for most brands — within the spirit won't be a safe habitat for mold or bacteria to grow. So if you're worried about spoiled gin making you sick, chances are that it wouldn't.

Can I drink Baileys after the expiration date?

Would you use any cream that is long past its best before date? The answer to all these questions is no. Expired Baileys is not ok to drink and could potentially make you ill. Yes, the alcohol will help keep the drink fresh, but eventually (after around 2 years), the dairy within the beverage will sour and go bad.