Storing whiskey

[ChainWhip]

I think for short periods, laying it on its side is fine. Who know how long our bottles sat in a case that has been laying on its side in transit or in a warehouse.

[squire]

That's why they print 'this end up' on the carton.

[squire]

I should add though I don't think a cork stoppered bottle laying on it's side for a short time or in transit would suffer any damage to the cork. With screw cap closures it shouldn't matter at all.

[doubleblank]

I'll throw this factoid out there once again. Cork is graded for quality. The best cork is expensive and is sold to top tier wineries. Lesser quality is also sold to the wine trade and for other uses. Stoppers using cork for whiskey and other similar consumables tends to be from the lower grades......unlike fine wine, the whiskey is already aged and ready to drink when you get it home. Nobody intended for the whiskey stopper using cork to need to last 10 or more years. Nor for the bottles to be laid down on their side. Porosity is even acceptable in the lower grades making leakage a good possibility over time. Greenwood is also acceptable and could add flavors to the whiskey. In summary, the low quality cork used by whiskey bottlers does not lend itself to long ageing periods or laying the bottles on their sides.

[T Comp]

I should add though I don't think a cork stoppered bottle laying on it's side for a short time or in transit would suffer any damage to the cork. With screw cap closures it shouldn't matter at all.

My wife had a PVW 15 leak a quarter out on the 15 minute ride home from the store back in 2007. The 2 others didn't and Binny's was kind enough to replace the leaker even though she admitted to the transport on it's side. The 3 made for a nice Christmas present back then and the last bourbon Christmas gift received...which is a good thing.

[squire]

Good argument for screw tops, whisky doesn't need a cork anyway.

[Restaurant man]

Good argument for screw tops, whisky doesn't need a cork anyway.

+1. No corks necessary. I'll take a screw cap or those glass stoppers they use on Austrian wines

[Bourbon Boiler]

I prefer screw tops, but there is a perception of lesser quality. BTW, storing a bottle on its side in a freezer is a terrible idea. I learned that one the hard way.

[ChainWhip]

BTW, storing a bottle on its side in a freezer is a terrible idea. I learned that one the hard way.

What happens? Does it explode?

[squire]

Cap freezes to the bottle.