Storing whiskey

[BourbonGuy]

I was reading this months Whiskey advocate (peat issue) and I noticed guys with huge whiskey collections and a question comes to mind….

Why is whiskey stored upright as apposed to on its side like wine? Wouldn’t keeping the cork wet increase the integrity of the whiskey by letting less air in? Some of these bottle are decades old.

[squire]

That doesn't work BG because while cork can withstand the alcohol content of wine, even sherry or port, it deteriorates when in contact with the higher alcohol content of whisky.

[Yeti]

All of the above, and also I believe that the increased vapor of the higher alcohol proof provides for significant moisture in the cork when upright.

[squire]

Or say it dries the cork, then you can tell the wife the levels are dropping due to evaporation because you hafta to store them upright.

[Tico]

I store mine upright in my wine cellar, hoping the added humidity helps with dry corks.

[Restaurant man]

I store mine upside down with the corks off. my mouth underneath to catch any, um, drips:drinking:

[Yeti]

It's really the only way to know the whisky is being properly taken care of.

[fishnbowljoe]

That doesn't work BG because while cork can withstand the alcohol content of wine, even sherry or port, it deteriorates when in contact with the higher alcohol content of whisky.

What he said.

FWIW, I've also heard that it's also a good idea to store whiskey out of direct sunlight.

[unclebunk]

FWIW, I've also heard that it's also a good idea to store whiskey out of direct sunlight.

Like in my stomach, right Joe? :grin: Happy New Year, BTW!

[AaronWF]

I left a bottle of WLW on its side for about 14 hours once. When I came back to it, the wooden top that holds the cork had completely warped, and whiskey had started leaking out of the bottle. I cringe when liquor store clerks retrieve a bottle for me and walk around with it upside down. I won't even let a corked bottle lay on its side in the car as I'm driving home. The only bottles I let sit on their side are those with screw caps, but even with those, only temporarily.

[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.

[Shuboy]

Keep in mind that a screw capped bottle shouldn't be put on its side either. The inside of the cap has a piece of cardboard for sealing and that flavor might get into the whisky when it comes into contact with it.

[Bourbon Boiler]

What happens? Does it explode?

No explosions, but the cork gets wet on one end but doesn't wick. Ended up with some oddly shaped cork that didn't fit the bottles well. It's a bad sign when you go to pour for friends and the cork slides out of the bottle.

[smokinjoe]

Keep in mind that a screw capped bottle shouldn't be put on its side either. The inside of the cap has a piece of cardboard for sealing and that flavor might get into the whisky when it comes into contact with it.

[ErikH]

And I thought I was the only one anal enough to make sure my bottles stay upright for the ride home.:cool:

I remember the cork disks in bottle caps. I remember carefully popping the disk out, putting the bottle cap on the front of my t-shirt, and popping the cork disk back in through the back of the shirt so the cap would stay on like a button.

[Mickbourbon]

I bought a bottle of Stagg last year and when the clerk came from the back where it was stored he was holding it upside down by the neck and was

waving it side to side like he was trying to mix the ingredients. I almost said something but it was the last bottle they had and it took a phone call to the boss for them to ok them

giving it to me so I bit my lip, and was happy to know it didn't leak.