How long do spirits keep for?
Discussion
I'm a malts man, and whilst whisky doesn't go off, if there is a little left in a bottle, it will "oxidise" and loose flavour. Still drinkable though - one solution is to pour it into a fuller bottle of something similar and cheap (like blended scotch) where it can only do good...
Prof Beard
Prof Beard
Alcohol (ethanol) will oxidise to ethanal (smells of fruit) then to ethanoic acid (vinegar), so keep the top on. Other than that, the other various flavours, esters, fusel oils etc can all deteriorate with time. Depends on the spirit and how fussy you are!
NB Port is not a spirit but a fortified wine.
>> Edited by simpo two on Sunday 24th July 18:13
NB Port is not a spirit but a fortified wine.
>> Edited by simpo two on Sunday 24th July 18:13
Keeping port for any length of time is not just a case of sticking it in the cupboard upopened and not drinking it, you need to control the environment in which it is stored. Preferably store at 12°C and high humidity. However the stability of temperature is more important than the exact temperature.When storing Port it is preferable to store the bottles in the same position as the previous owner. The manufacturers often mark the 'top' of the bottle with white paint, so if you see a paint mark / blotch, store this upppermost.
Also the cork loses it's elasticity, so although it may have always been in contact with the wine it will eventually fail and leak, and bottles will therefore need to be Re-Corked about every 40-60 years. A good wine merchant can help you with this.
Also the cork loses it's elasticity, so although it may have always been in contact with the wine it will eventually fail and leak, and bottles will therefore need to be Re-Corked about every 40-60 years. A good wine merchant can help you with this.
wedge girl said:
Keeping port for any length of time is not just a case of sticking it in the cupboard upopened and not drinking it, you need to control the environment in which it is stored. Preferably store at 12°C and high humidity. However the stability of temperature is more important than the exact temperature.When storing Port it is preferable to store the bottles in the same position as the previous owner. The manufacturers often mark the 'top' of the bottle with white paint, so if you see a paint mark / blotch, store this upppermost.
Also the cork loses it's elasticity, so although it may have always been in contact with the wine it will eventually fail and leak, and bottles will therefore need to be Re-Corked about every 40-60 years. A good wine merchant can help you with this.
I keep my port in a stomach-shaped vessel...
Bomber Denton said:
In the cupboard here I have a few odds and sods such as Brandies, Ports and the like that have been in there a while.
How long do they last?
port is not a spirit, it is a fortified wine and needs to be drunk within a few days of opening.
true spirits keep forever in a closed bottle, they only age in ther cask, however once opened they slowly oxidise, dependent of how much air is in the bottle. best to drink them all tonight to be sure.
wedg1e said:
remal said:
I bought 15 year old whiskey about 15 years ago.
bought it then went off spirits
I got 150proof vodka that has been sitting cupboard for a good few years too.
And not you can't have anyoneday
Gizzit
I was waiting for something like that
NO
its mine mine mine. And you can't have any >> Edited by remal on Sunday 24th July 21:23
people keep wine for 40-60 years??, surely then it's a good excuse to drink it, unless it's gone off then why re-cork it? still, won't affect me wine only lasts a few days at our house! 
I had a 10yr single malt - merange i think. I drank half and forgot about it for a year or so while it gathered dust in the back of a cuboard. I tried it last month but it left a horrible film on my tongue.
So i chucked it
Talking of spirits...when does the old sloe gin come out again? I think it's seasonal isn't it? I loved the gordon's version, plus i have two excellent humidified cohibas just waiting for the lid to come off.
So i chucked it
Talking of spirits...when does the old sloe gin come out again? I think it's seasonal isn't it? I loved the gordon's version, plus i have two excellent humidified cohibas just waiting for the lid to come off.
Jane Fletcher said:
In the cupboard here I have a few odds and sods such as Brandies, Ports and the like that have been in there a while.
How long do they last?
port is not a spirit, it is a fortified wine and needs to be drunk within a few days of opening.
true spirits keep forever in a closed bottle, they only age in ther cask, however once opened they slowly oxidise, dependent of how much air is in the bottle. best to drink them all tonight to be sure.
Only vintage port needs to be drunk up quickly. In fact decanted and drunk within 2 days ideally. Other ports such as LBVs, rbies and tawnies can last 6-12 months after opening.
wedge girl said:
When storing Port it is preferable to store the bottles in the same position as the previous owner. The manufacturers often mark the 'top' of the bottle with white paint, so if you see a paint mark / blotch, store this upppermost.
If there is no white mark, then it will have been stored with the label uppermost.
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