How long does whiskey keep? In theory, almost forever. Distilled sprits won’t spoil or make you sick like milk, and they won’t turn to vinegar like beer and wine.
But in practice, a bottle of whiskey doesn’t last forever (if only!). Once a whiskey is opened, exposure to light, air, and temperature fluctuations start to change its flavor.
Initially, that can be a good thing. We’ve all had the experience of opening a bottle, tasting it right away, and not particularly enjoying its contents – but then coming back a month later to taste a spirit that feels much more integrated and cohesive.
But what about the long term? Eventually, open bottles of whiskey will start to oxidize, losing some fragrance and flavor. 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:
Lastly, and most importantly, stop saving that half-full bottle of fancy booze for a special moment! Start making your everyday more special by drinking that stuff, before it starts to lose what makes it fancy in the first place.
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.
How long does whiskey keep? In theory, almost forever. Distilled sprits won’t spoil or make you sick like milk, and they won’t turn to vinegar like beer and wine.
Initially, that can be a good thing. We’ve all had the experience of opening a bottle, tasting it right away, and not particularly enjoying its contents – but then coming back a month later to taste a spirit that feels much more integrated and cohesive.
But in practice, a bottle of whiskey doesn’t last forever (if only!). Once a whiskey is opened, exposure to light, air, and temperature fluctuations start to change its flavor.
Lastly, and most importantly, stop saving that half-full bottle of fancy booze for a special moment! Start making your everyday more special by drinking that stuff, before it starts to lose what makes it fancy in the first place.
But what about the long term? Eventually, open bottles of whiskey will start to oxidize, losing some fragrance and flavor. 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:
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.
Who better to answer, “does whiskey expire,” than our friends at BLACKENED American Whiskey.
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 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. Still, it can affect the spirit’s taste 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. Choose a cool, dark place to store your whiskey bottles to avoid this.
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 wonder: 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 Happens To Your Body When You Drink Whiskey Every Night?
FAQ
Can old whiskey make you ill?
Can bacteria grow in whisky?
Can whiskey be too old to drink?
How can you tell if old whiskey is bad?
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 are the disadvantages of having whiskey?
Highest percentage of alcohol in whiskey makes people lose track while drinking it, which lead to alcohol poisoning, which can induce difficulties in breathing, acid reflux and elevated heart rate. People under the influence of alcohol often make rash, risky or illogical decisions that makes them impaired while judging things. Constant abuse of whiskey can lead to damage in metabolism. The prolonged intake of whiskey leads to cirrhosis of liver. Large intake during pregnancy cause spontaneous abortion and mental or physical disabilities for the fetus. Large and regular intake of whiskey can cause stroke, serious injuries of heart muscle, and in some cases death.
Does whiskey go bad?
Whiskey or whisky is a high-proof liquor that has a fantastic shelf life. It doesn’t go bad in a typical sense of food spoilage, but it can suffer from flavor loss if not properly stored. Store whiskey similarly to how you store other liquors like vodka or rum. It requires a cool, dry, dark place, away from heat or lights.
What happens if you drink whiskey a lot?
As the percentage of alcohol (or “proof”) decreases, the remaining contents become much more susceptible to microbial contaminationand this is where attempting to consume such spirits becomes quite dangerous. Often the whiskey will turn a milky white color or have a hazy, cloudy appearance.