Screw tops vs Corks

[p_elliott]

I know this was an old thread but it was locked and I thought it was time to bring it back up again. I like cork I think it's classier and screw tops are cheap. But as has been discussed on here long term storage with screw tops can resulted in evaporation. Unless it was waxed but long term storage with cork can result in cork taint. What every one's opinion last time everyone was in favor of screw on. I was surprised that at whisky magazine they were having this same discussion gave me the idea for this one and they overwhelmingly chose screw on for scotch. By the way I've never had a bad cork.

[funknik]

I prefer corks aesthetically and I do attach the stigma that cheap stuff has a screw cap and nicer stuff has a cork even though I am anti-cork. I give priority to my tongue over my eyes on this one.

Plus my current favorite whiskey has a screw top (VSOF).

[smokinjoe]

I prefer cork. I love that Thwomp sound when opening. But, I have recently begun to really like the metal screw capsules on some of the Beam products. Has a nice sound and feel to it.

In regards to cork taint, I too, have never had a bottle that I thought had this. I also think that bad bottles with a "bad cork" claims are severely overexagerated.

[ILLfarmboy]

I prefer cork. I love that Thwomp sound when opening.

[Josh]

Screw caps all the way. I like the sound too but the corks are more trouble than they're worth.

[ElasticalGomez]

i prefer corks for the same reason i prefer listening to vinyl. it's simply an integral part of the experience for me.

[Klepackage]

I certainly appreciate the pop when you pull a cork out, but dried out corks aren't any fun. It's kind of annoying when you want to drink something and the cork gets stuck or cracks. A screw top avoids that.

Hopefully no one has had a plastic screw top break when they tried to open it!

[funknik]

People have mmentioned this before -- We need whiskeys to move to those foam style corks found in most wines nowadays -- they're not as aesthically nice, but they pop when you pull em out and you can still have decorative elements on the top like Blanton's, Turkey, etc.Cork harvesting is starting to become a problem, too -- when I was in Portugal a few years ago, all of the cork trees were stripped and it takes years and years for them to grow the circumference of bark needed to produce more cork material. It doesn't hurt the trees, but the industry can't keep up with the demand.

[Josh]

People have mmentioned this before -- We need whiskeys to move to those foam style corks found in most wines nowadays -- they're not as aesthically nice, but they pop when you pull em out and you can still have decorative elements on the top like Blanton's, Turkey, etc.Cork harvesting is starting to become a problem, too -- when I was in Portugal a few years ago, all of the cork trees were stripped and it takes years and years for them to grow the circumference of bark needed to produce more cork material. It doesn't hurt the trees, but the industry can't keep up with the demand.

I think that's an excellent idea.

[Squash]

Screw 'em, if you know what I mean.

I like the corks because they are so cool, and they have that inherent feeling of quality. But sometimes when I look at the corks in the bottles, it just seems like there's a little biology experiment going on above the booze.

Perhaps I should stop storing my bottles on their sides. Just kidding.

[sotnsipper]

I like the cork but prefer the screw on. Sometimes when removing the cork, it feels like it is going to break off, especially on the 4R1B bottle. It is a rather small cork on a big cap. I also find that when I open the bottles with big openings with big corks for the first time, it is a little hard not to splash a little out. Like Andy said too, it is hard to cork every bottle produced these days so plastic seems economic.

[docbible]

Charbay whiskey out of CA has a nice synthetic cork that appears to work well. I think you will see others starting to follow. Keeps the appeal of quality but does not place the contents at risk. tim

[kickert]

I agree... I used to think screwtops were inferior, but now I appreciate their consistency. I think synthetic would be perfect.

[Hondo]

I like them both, however I do expect to break a cork off someday. No problems so far though.

I do appreciate the firm seal of a screw top and find that when I'm traveling either taking some bottles to a friends or traveling in my RV, I always seem to reach for the screw top bottles. They just travel better.

[chefnash51]

Screw caps.. they make less noise when I'm trying to sneak a pour :grin:

[funknik]

Screw caps.. they make less noise when I'm trying to sneak a pour :grin:

[chefnash51]

Screw caps.. they make less noise when I'm trying to sneak a pour :grin:

[jburlowski]

I'm with you... I've also forgotten to put a screw top on tight on occassion.

[Luna56]

I don't mind screw tops, but I am partial to the corks. To me there's an old school classiness about them.

With a little practice, one can become quite stealthy when it comes to removing corks silently.

Cheers!

[ILLfarmboy]

Screw caps.. they make less noise when I'm trying to sneak a pour :grin:

...With a little practice, one can become quite stealthy when it comes to removing corks silently.

Just tell the wife: Hey, I could be drinking in a bar.......I'm assuming you guys are talking about your wives.....

[p_elliott]

Just tell the wife: Hey, I could be drinking in a bar.......I'm assuming you guys are talking about your wives.....

My wife doesn't complain too much when I go to the bar but I think deep down she's a lot happier when I drink at home.

[ILLfarmboy]

I just tore nearly in half the cork on a bottle of Dalmore 12. I usually twist slightly and pull up, but the cork was stuck fast in the bottle It began to tear rather than give.:hot:

[p_elliott]

I bought my first dusty a Bakers from 93? I went to open it and the cork broke in half. Forchantly I had a WT Rye bottle with a bout a 1/4 of a drink left in it drank it off. Strained the Baker's and poured it in the WT Rye bottle. This was my first cork problem ever.

[squire]

I've had a few bottles ruined by tainted corks, just a few, one every ten years or so, but I've had a whole bunch of them break.

[callmeox]

I had a cork issue with the first bottle of WTKS that I purchased. The wooden top wasn't securely glued to the cork and they came apart. I resisted the temptation of taking a corkscrew to it and I swapped it out for a new bottle the next day.

With that experience behind me, I prefer screw tops for transporting partial bottles, but I don't mind the cork at home.