When you buy a bottle of bourbon, you are not expected to finish it all overnight unless you have many friends over. The standard serving size of bourbon is 1.5 oz. in every glass, so there will definitely be some left after you have taken a glass or two. Let us assume that you store the remaining bourbon in a decanter, put it in your cabinet, and decide not to partake for the next couple of nights.
Are you confident that it will be fine as stored in the cabinet for a couple of months, or will you be worried that it will go bad? Let’s find out.
Unlike wine, which becomes overaerated and can oxidize if stored in a decanter, spirits can last years in a decanter—as long as the stopper is airtight. Best practice, though, is to try and consume your decanted spirit sooner than that.
What is a Bourbon Decanter?
Now that we have established how to keep your bourbon at its greatest, let us assess if a bourbon decanter is viable and is suitable for storing your precious bourbon but first, let us know what it is. A bourbon decanter, or any decanter for that matter, is a container that is stopped to hold bourbon as it decants.
Decanters may be made from glass or crystal, and they come in various shapes and sizes. The volume capacity of decanters is usually equivalent to the standard bottles of alcohol. They are originally for wine, but alcohols like bourbon can also be stored in them.
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Decanters have various designs and sizes. Usually, wine decanters don’t have a top so that air is introduced into the wine. Since we don’t want this scenario with bourbons, their decanters typically have more elaborate designs, featuring a large crystal top to prevent the spirits’ spillage. So it will last long without it going bad.
Decanters can have an airtight seal, which is essential if you intend to keep the bourbon in it for a long time. Other decanters have a loose-fitting glass stopper, which is not ideal for bourbon as this will encourage oxidation.
If you’re the kind of person who likes to enjoy a glass of bourbon every other night, obviously you’ll have to open the decanter every so often too, and as this will happen, it will be introduced to air over and over again. This practice can affect the quality of bourbon, especially if you suddenly decide to keep half of it for the next month or so.
How long is whiskey good for in a decanter?
FAQ
Is it OK to put bourbon in a decanter?
How long can whiskey sit in a decanter?
Is it bad to keep whiskey in a decanter?
Does Bourbon go bad in a decanter?
So it will last long without it going bad. Decanters can have an airtight seal, which is essential if you intend to keep the bourbon in it for a long time. Other decanters have a loose-fitting glass stopper, which is not ideal for bourbon as this will encourage oxidation.
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.
Can you store Bourbon in a decanter?
The speed of the alteration of flavors of your bourbon in a decanter depends on three factors, namely the type of decanter, how often you partake, and how long you intend to keep it. At this point, it is safe to say that decanters are good to use to store your bourbon. But, you also have to consider the time factor.
Can Bourbon be transferred into a decanter?
Most whiskeys, including bourbon, have a minimum of 40% alcohol content, making them resistant to change. And since wine has less alcohol content, they are susceptible to change by oxidation. That being said, when you transfer your bourbon into a decanter, don’t expect that its flavors will improve over time.