As adults, many people develop a taste for whiskey. However, that doesn’t mean they finish every bottle they buy quickly. Some only drink a single glass on occasion, leaving whiskey in the opened bottle for weeks or months before finishing the last drop. Others purchase multiple bottles at once, working on one or several at a time over a sometimes-lengthy span. In either case, knowing how to store your whiskey is vital, ensuring the quality stays high before you drink it. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are a few cheap ways to protect your whiskey.
Store Them in a Cool, Dry Place
High heat, temperature fluctuations, and humidity aren’t ideal if you’re storing whiskey. Instead, you want to keep your bottles in a cool, dry space that has a fairly consistent temperature. That way, the bottle stays in good shape, and the whiskey isn’t harmed.
While it may be tempting to put whiskey in the fridge or freezer to keep the temperature stable, that isn’t ideal. It won’t make the whiskey undrinkable, but the lower temperature could alter the flavor, making it a bit uninspiring. If you prefer your whiskey chilled, use ice cubes or whiskey stones when you pour a glass instead.
Use a Cabinet to Store Whiskey
In many cases, keeping whiskey in a cabinet is best. Direct sunlight can impact the temperature of your whiskey, as well as lead to temperature fluctuations that can be harmful.
You don’t need a special cabinet for storing whiskey. Even a lesser-used one in a kitchen, living area, or den can work, as it shields the whiskey from direct light.
“Freshen” Your Corks
Generally, whiskey needs to be stored upright, as long-term exposure to the liquor can harm the cork. However, if you want to limit oxidation and keep the cork in good shape, you need to “freshen” your cork a few times a year. Simply tip the bottle sideways, let the whiskey soak into the cork for about an hour, then reposition the bottle back upright.
Decant into Smaller Sample Bottles
Oxygen exposure can harm the flavor of the whiskey. Once you open a bottle and drink some, the amount of oxygen increases significantly.
If you’re looking for a low-cost way to reduce oxygen exposure, decanting the whiskey into smaller sample bottles can do the trick. There will be less oxygen in the container, slowing oxidation.
Try an Airtight Decanter
Another option for those who don’t mind shifting their whiskey out of the original bottle is an airtight decanter. These have robust synthetic corks that are designed to ensure a tight fit and that may not degrade as quickly as traditional corks.
Usually, these work best if you can fill them close to the top with whiskey. That way, you limit the amount of air that ends up in the bottle, slowing oxidation.
Get a Preservation Gas System
If you prefer to keep your whiskey in the original bottle but still want to limit oxidation, getting a preservation system can work. Simple options like Private Preserve allow you to put other gases into the bottle, reducing the presence of oxygen. You simply spray and quickly replace the cork.
Don’t Open Too Many Bottles at Once
A sealed whiskey bottle will do a far better job at limiting oxidation. With the original seal in place, there isn’t any air exchange, especially if you’re freshening the cork regularly. As a result, you can store that bottle for far longer without impacting the flavor of the whiskey.
While it may be tempting to have several bottles open at once, if you can’t finish them all within a few months of opening, the flavor may dimmish in the open containers before you can fully enjoy the entire bottle. As a result, it may be best to only open what you can finish within that timeframe, keeping the other bottles sealed.
Can you think of any other cheap ways to protect your whiskey? Have you tried the options above and want to let us know about your results? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
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