Synthetic cork plea

[ethangsmith]

Since I often deal with 30+ year old Michter's decanters, dealing with old corks has become commonplace with me- and I hate it! If anyone needs proof that using real corks is a horrible idea, stop by and I'll show you what years do to them. I've had to open and pour our many mint condition, full bottles due to the cork rotting out, allowing air in and whiskey to leak out. Most of the "sealed" decanters, when opened contain heavily oxidized whiskey that looks like apple cider and smells terrible! My vote also goes to screw caps or synthetic corks.

And as for synthetic corks- Ezra Brooks products, which claim to be "The Only Bourbon Worth of a Cork" come with synthetic corks. My (new) jug of Platte Valley Corn Whiskey also comes with a synthetic cork. So at least McCormick and other products that come out of that plant have synthetic corks.

[nor02lei]

My vote also goes to screw caps or synthetic corks.

Mine to for the same reasons as yours.

Leif

[PaulO]

I keep a collection of corks on hand, in case a new one separates on opening. I wonder if the separation happens because higher end bottles can sit in the store longer. Does anyone know how to get a cork out of a bottle it has fallen into? I have an old decanter with a cork inside.

[sailor22]

I vote for screw tops. They work, they don't leak, they don't rot and they look retro.

[trumpstylz]

I vote for screw tops. They work, they don't leak, they don't rot and they look retro.

I just don't think the average consumer is educated enough (unless its something like van winkle 10 year, which is fairly sought after, sales would take a big hit). So, until consumers do become enlightened on the subject, I say synthetic corks (given the screw cap is not an option).

Synthetic corks might break when trying to get them out, but they don't rot an don't taint the product (think dustys- a few years down the road and up). It might take a little work, but you will still get it out in the end.

[awachatz]

Are any bourbons bottled with synthetic corks? I can't think of one.

Craig

Prichard's also uses synthetic corks. Personally, as long as the bourbon tastes good, it doesn't matter to me. If I placed a vote and pick one, I would place it for the synthetic cork as long as it is one solid piece.

[rmallen]

Does anyone know how to get a cork out of a bottle it has fallen into? I have an old decanter with a cork inside.

Give this a try:

[Halifax]

I like the way the "The Fox" VG 90s are done... Screw top dipped in wax. It works, and it still looks damn good on the liquor shelf.

[B.B. Babington]

I like the way the "The Fox" VG 90s are done... Screw top dipped in wax. It works, and it still looks damn good on the liquor shelf.

Yes! Probably the all time best method for long term storage of a bottle that I've ever seen on a whiskey.

[cas]

Are synthetic corks supposed to function the same as real cork? Or is the use of a synthetic cork (as opposed to a screw top) just to preserve the look/feel of having a cork?

Craig

[Enoch]

Are synthetic corks supposed to function the same as real cork? Or is the use of a synthetic cork (as opposed to a screw top) just to preserve the look/feel of having a cork?

Craig

[jcg9779]

I like the way the "The Fox" VG 90s are done... Screw top dipped in wax. It works, and it still looks damn good on the liquor shelf.

Johnny Drum Private Stock and Pure Kentucky XO are the same way.

[smokinjoe]

Johnny Drum Private Stock and Pure Kentucky XO are the same way.

And, so does Maker's Mark...Wait...I forgot...That's just Marketing mumbo-jumbo.

[jcg9779]

And, so does Maker's Mark...Wait...I forgot...That's just Marketing mumbo-jumbo.

Only on the 1.75's....right? Or on smaller bottles also? It's been a while since I've bought a bottle of Maker's (I repurposed a 750ml OWA bottle to hold the rest of my 1.75L that I bought a while back).

[trumpstylz]

I like the way the "The Fox" VG 90s are done... Screw top dipped in wax. It works, and it still looks damn good on the liquor shelf.

I have to agree. It's probably hands down the best ratio of looking good in the eyes of the masses to doing what its supposed to do. But still, absent this, please use synthetic corks (or to phrase it better- please stop using material that is made from an expensive, dead, and deteriorating natural product).

[LongBeachScott]

The wine industry (in California, at least) is making some headway in the use of screw tops. There are some higher end producers who are real zealots - Villa Creek in Paso Robles, for instance. I am seeing them on more and more higher end wines. Australian and South American wines are starting to use them too.

It is basically an education issue. Buyers associate cork with quality, but they are typically casual buyers. Aficionados normally know that natural cork has no real benefits and that synthetic corks are somewhat better but still don't seal as well as a screw top. Plus, screw tops are pretty cheap.

I see no reason the bourbon industry couldn't benefit from the changing perception of the wine world. By the way, there is no real reason to go to synthetic corks. Make the move straight to screw tops and educate the consumer.

[Shuboy]

But if you store it long term right side up you risk the cork eventually drying out at some point. Granted we're talking long term here. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on either of the above.

I seem to recall someone on a Scotch forum mentioned a study was done on this. It was discovered that the alcohol fumes within the bottle (or rather the space between liquid and cork) will keep the cork moist for some time. However I wonder if ambient temperature and humidity also have something to do with it.

[GreggJ]

Are any bourbons bottled with synthetic corks? I can't think of one.

Craig

Jeffersons Presidential Select 17 is synthetic. Darn thing broke off from its handle when I went to pull from it last week. :hot:

Not wo worry though, I got the sucker out and was able to enjoy this fine SW juice.

[Lazer]

The last two bottles I opened, FR1B and WTRB, both corks broke. I don't like paying for nice whiskey and then have to pour it out into a decanter because of cork malfunction. We want screw tops!:smiley_acbt: Or at least synthetic corks.

[yountvillewjs]

Synthetic corks might break when trying to get them out, but they don't rot an don't taint the product (think dustys- a few years down the road and up).

[Lazer]

I wouldn't be so sure about that. I'm in the wine production business and there have been some spectacular synthetic disasters. I'm leery of anything in contact with high proof alcohol over long periods of time.

[StraightNoChaser]

I even filled an empty Pappy 15 with cheap new Old Fitz and they raved about it, exclaiming how they could see it was worth $60 a bottle and yet another bottle of new Old Fitz they didn't like....same bourbon.

lmao, that's amazing. blind drinking is the best!

[Flyfish]

When we toured Buffalo Trace, I asked why some of their bourbons had corks and some screw tops. The answer was "Marketing." Consumers associate real cork with real quality. On an intellectual level, I am ready to accept this. On an emotional level, I just love the sound of a cork coming out of a bourbon bottle.

[Hershmeister]

I prefer cork stoppers

[Lazer]

When we toured Buffalo Trace, I asked why some of their bourbons had corks and some screw tops. The answer was "Marketing." Consumers associate real cork with real quality. On an intellectual level, I am ready to accept this. On an emotional level, I just love the sound of a cork coming out of a bourbon bottle.

Dear whiskey bottlers,

If real cork = real quality, then why do your real corks really crumble?

-Lazer.