Why do bottles improve after opening?

[jmj_203]

Help a bourbon beginner out. I have roughly 15 bottles open of various shelves. Now every bottle doesnt amaze me first pour, some are amazing from the seal cracking, but ALL bottles even those that are just boring at first seem to become intruiging and better every pour over the next month. Maybe Im just experiencing developing my nosing and tastes but it seems like a few weeks after cracking the seal the bourbon opens up. Several recent bottles I paid attention and saw tiny bubbles rising after breaking the seal that continue after corking for awhile, so inform me of the bottling process and why they get better. I know it happens just not why.

Edited April 28, 2014 by jmj_203

[squire]

An important part of the aging process is the interaction with oxygen while in the barrel and once the whisky is bottled oxidation stops or at least dramatically slows down. When the bottle seal is broken and fresh oxygen introduced some Bourbons just seem to wake up. My theory anyway.

[Flyfish]

An important part of the aging process is the interaction with oxygen while in the barrel and once the whisky is bottled oxidation stops or at least dramatically slows down. When the bottle seal is broken and fresh oxygen introduced some Bourbons just seem to wake up. My theory anyway.

[luther.r]

I definitely agree that bourbons change after opening, but not necessarily for the better. I generally prefer the more vibrant flavors that come out when a bourbon has had little air time. And some, in particular 4R products, seem to go downhill relatively quickly after being opened.

[jmj_203]

An important part of the aging process is the interaction with oxygen while in the barrel and once the whisky is bottled oxidation stops or at least dramatically slows down. When the bottle seal is broken and fresh oxygen introduced some Bourbons just seem to wake up. My theory anyway.

Sounds like a good explanation to me. I assumed they are sealed almost air tight when bottled, so there is no air exchange until you break the seal. Just didn't understand how putting it in a state of stasis could change the flavor. So its kind of like when they are bottled, they go into hyper sleep for a few months or years, then when you crack it open it catches up real fast with some rapid accelerated aging. I just made that up, I'm going with it...

[squire]

If I open a bottle and take, say, a year or two to finish, it will change over time. Not a lot, sometimes noticeably, sometimes barely at all, but it's happened often enough to be a pattern. Some of our members prefer the changes.

[393foureyedfox]

I think there are also changes in the bourbon drinker.

usually, I agree with this side of the argument.

That said, whenever I buy an OGD114, I'll take the top off and leave it open to room air for days before having any. Thats the only bourbon Ive noticed changes in with air

[Guest]

I have been finding that extra woody bourbons such as EC12 and Bulleit 10 do well being from being opened a few days before consuming, I usually open the bottle, pour two fingers as a sampler and put the bottle back.

Its in essence the same theory as leaving a glass 5-10 minutes before driinking, I find I do this a lot with XO or older cognacs and armagnacs, and I wont drink from my stash of WT14yr tradition unless I have left the glass sit for a while, the difference is definitely worth the wait.

[The Black Tot]

usually, I agree with this side of the argument.

That said, whenever I buy an OGD114, I'll take the top off and leave it open to room air for days before having any. Thats the only bourbon Ive noticed changes in with air

Open for days? I never would have though you could do this.

Don't you flash off all of your high proof benefits that way?

tbt

[393foureyedfox]

Open for days? I never would have though you could do this.

Don't you flash off all of your high proof benefits that way?

tbt

I dont think so. the only part that is open to air directly is the small round circle at the top of the bottle neck. I find OGD114 to be rather harsh right out of a fresh bottle, but a little better and more enjoyable after being open a few days. This is the only bourbon I do this with, though.

[squire]

No, the alcohol stays in solution unless you toss it into a saute' pan where it will indeed flash off.

[No_Reception]

Hard to say but I think my Michter's 10yr improved a lot after having 3-4 pours taken out of it. Could be that I also tried while I was drinking all barrel proofers and tried it again when i wasn't.

[flaminiom]

Bourbon is complex stuff, and I'd assume some stuff is volatile. Allowing some of that stuff to gas off I would imagine changes the product. I think we see it in the glass. Things seem to change just letting it sit for a bit.

Every time you open a bottle and pour, you're actively exchanging gasses. And each time you're introducing a larger surface area in the bottle.

It makes sense, although no idea if it's good, bad, or different.

[No_Reception]

I also notice it getting better in the glass if i let it sit for 10-20 minutes.

[squire]

It's been my experience while sitting down with friends the whisky usually improves as the level in the bottle is lowered.

[jmj_203]

It's been my experience while sitting down with friends the whisky usually improves as the level in the bottle is lowered.

LoL, I didn't overlook this part as a possible cause. However I'm talking maybe 1 to 2 1oz pours throughout the evening, and I notice the improvement throughout the time of a few weeks or a month as I kill off the bottle. Along your lines, I will admit that the second or third pour in a night definitely seems improved from the first...gee I wonder why that is.

[The Black Tot]

No, the alcohol stays in solution unless you toss it into a saute' pan where it will indeed flash off.

[HOF44]

I think the best way to put it is when you leave a bottle open the flavor changes through oxidation. This can be a good thing or a bad thing.

[TheNovaMan]

I find OGD114 to be rather harsh right out of a fresh bottle, but a little better and more enjoyable after being open a few days. This is the only bourbon I do this with, though.

Do you cover it with a paper towel or something to keep junk from falling into the bottle?

[Dannabis]

jmj, for myself I have noticed that even the same bottle will taste different to me day to day. I am surprised that I can sometimes come back to what I'd consider my favorite pour and find that yesterdays deliciousness is excessively woody today.

[brettckeen]

I definitely agree that bourbons change after opening, but not necessarily for the better. I generally prefer the more vibrant flavors that come out when a bourbon has had little air time. And some, in particular 4R products, seem to go downhill relatively quickly after being opened.

Yeah those limited edition SmBs got super weird after being open a month. The Single Barrels at barrel strength tend to hold up though.

[suntour]

Can you guys please elaborate on this? I have never had a bottle of bourbon go "weird" on me in the slightest. The closest I've seen to this phenomenon is a bottle getting a little "tired" after being open for more than a year.

[Eggman]

Howdy,

Opening up sure seems to help Old Forester Signature; the "nose" improves significantly.

[Restaurant man]

Howdy,

Opening up sure seems to help Old Forester Signature; the "nose" improves significantly.

Howdy,

I have bottles that have been open for years with no diminishing returns. Some have only a few ounces in them. I got no worries. Not saying that Oxegyn has no effect over time. Just little or none. And it never goes weird or bad at my house. Just sayin....

[smknjoe]

That's been my experience too.