Whiskey bottle vacum

[Meruck]

Well I have read and read and read. There seems to be no impericle evidence regarding the use of a bottle vacum on whiskey to preserve it. "Lots of people talking, few of them know........."

I have some older, rarer and specialer bottles that have been opened. I am noticing changes within the first 30 days and sometimes less. Should I vacum like a wine, purge the air with argon, or just drink the stuff. I know the answer to that question, but really. Has anyone done eitehr and what did you find?

One of you Guru's must have tried it.

[squire]

My solution is to invite some friends and drink the stuff.

[LostBottle]

Don't vacuum out the air! Those things are bad for both whiskey and wine. Whiskey contains volatile compounds which add flavor and aroma; you forcefully suction them out along with the oxygen when using those things. Private preserve is they key for the stuff that doesn't oxidize well (e.g. old rye). Technically the argon does not purge the air from the bottle, rather it is a heavier inert gas that creates a layer separating the whiskey from the lighter air left in the bottle.

Edited March 11, 2013 by LostBottle

[unclebunk]

Well I have read and read and read. There seems to be no impericle evidence regarding the use of a bottle vacum on whiskey to preserve it. "Lots of people talking, few of them know........."

I have some older, rarer and specialer bottles that have been opened. I am noticing changes within the first 30 days and sometimes less. Should I vacum like a wine, purge the air with argon, or just drink the stuff. I know the answer to that question, but really. Has anyone done eitehr and what did you find?

One of you Guru's must have tried it.

I've never considered the bottle vacuum but I have noticed that the changes to the whiskey are often beneficial, so I wouldn't worry about it. Just drink it when the mood strikes.

[MauiSon]

Just decant into smaller bottles. Problem solved. Nothing special about original bottles or first tastes. Most bottles I've opened had an off-taste on first pour. Some didn't. Some changed throughout the bottle, some changed for the last pour only, some stayed the same throughout. Sometimes I liked the changes, sometimes I didn't. Find something that works for you, even if it's something different for each label.

I've used a bottle vacuum on wine and it works well for the 1st half of the bottle. I only have 2 rubber corks for it, but they suffice for me.

Edited March 11, 2013 by MauiSon

[Special Reserve]

Oxidation seems to really help wheated bourbons. Almost every bottle I've had improves after it is opened and has had some contact with room air. I don't worry about exposing bourbon to air. If you really want to protect a bottle from evaporation, try wrapping ParaFilm around the cap or cork. It should be available from most scientific supply houses.

[black mamba]

Some whiskey does improve with time after being opened, but whiskey does oxidize, although rather slowly. I don't like to leave bottles for more than a year after being opened. At that point I either try vatting it with something else, or find someone to help me drink it up.

[Meruck]

I dont know guys. I got this a few months ago, opened it a few weeks ago and had just a "wee nip" last night. Yesterdays pour was nothing of the first. Nothing. I know that could be my pallet condition and I firmly belive in pallet condition, but I have only ever seen 1 other in real life and its in my brothers cabinet so I dont want to squander or loose it to the 02 grimlins. But at the same time I know that some efforts to preserve can destroy. So far, re-bottle sounds simplest, vacum seem most promising, but I must say, Squire's 2 cents seems most practicle, I just dont like very many people this much.

[White Dog]

I dont know guys. I got this a few months ago, opened it a few weeks ago and had just a "wee nip" last night. Yesterdays pour was nothing of the first. Nothing. I know that could be my pallet condition and I firmly belive in pallet condition, but I have only ever seen 1 other in real life and its in my brothers cabinet so I dont want to squander or loose it to the 02 grimlins. But at the same time I know that some efforts to preserve can destroy. So far, re-bottle sounds simplest, vacum seem most promising, but I must say, Squire's 2 cents seems most practicle, I just dont like very many people this much.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14910[/ATTACH]

Since that bottle of yours is now shot, simply send it to my house where I can properly dispose of it.

[Meruck]

Do I need a hazmat label, or can I just mail it?