Cork vs Synthetic cord vs screw tops

[squire]

Deep thoughts Harry, calls for another round.

[Harry in WashDC]

You read my mind. Tonight is a OGD 114 with half a cube night (but wait for the cube to melt). I'm going to get another. BRB.

[mibourbonguy]

what makes distiller's decide what type of top to use? I associate screw tops with cheaper bottles (perhaps wrongfully so). Only my ogd114, RR6YR, and Bulliet Rye are real cork. My FRYL is my only screw top, while the rest are synthetic, including my more expensive bottles like MMCS. So real cork, which I assumed initially would be more for the more expensive bottles isn't the exactly the case, and is actually used more so on the middle shelf bottles. Granted this is based on my small collection that I have. I was actually surprised to see Bulliet used real cork.

[squire]

I don't think distillers have much say in the matter of how a brand is packaged.

[mibourbonguy]

Leave it to the marketing guys .

[Flyfish]

what makes distiller's decide what type of top to use? I associate screw tops with cheaper bottles ....

I decant KC from the handle (screw top) into a 750 (synthetic cork) for convenience in handling, so to speak. They are exactly the same quality bourbon but the handle is "cheaper" only because it represents a "bulk" purchase.

[mibourbonguy]

interesting to know that handles are screw top, and does debunk my thoughts on only cheaper bourbons using screw tops. Pure marketing it seams :toast: .

[Special Reserve]

With both bourbon and wine, I associate an inferior product with having a screw cap. I must admit that for practical reasons the screw top is better but does have a reduced aesthetic value.

[GAbiker]

i will tell you that working at a liquor store, you constantly have to check and often tighten down twist tops when customers check out. It's becomes a habit. And while I've never really counted, I'd bet 15% are loose and I tighten them back down.

[Harry in WashDC]

i will tell you that working at a liquor store, you constantly have to check and often tighten down twist tops when customers check out. It's becomes a habit. And while I've never really counted, I'd bet 15% are loose and I tighten them back down.

As a consumer, I often check the screw top of the bottle I've selected, especially if it's aluminum instead of plastic. Only occasionally (even rarely) do I find a loose one which I ALWAYS mention to a salesperson. Often wondered if they just tighten them then put them back on the shelf.

[amg]

interesting to know that handles are screw top, and does debunk my thoughts on only cheaper bourbons using screw tops. Pure marketing it seams :toast: .

Yep, and many very expensive Japanese whiskies use screw tops as well. I guess in Japan they don't have the same stigma about them.

[The Black Tot]

I prefer synthetic corks.

I've seen a lot of screw tops crack.

[tanstaafl2]

Yep, and many very expensive Japanese whiskies use screw tops as well. I guess in Japan they don't have the same stigma about them.

The screw tops in Japan (Westland uses a similar style screw cap) are more substantial in appearance and fit than the typical plastic screw cap on the typical bottom shelf whiskey. I tend to save those Japanese bottles for future use. I will also save a bottle with a tight fitting synthetic cap (I think the BTEC 375's have synthetic corks and so work well). I rarely ever save a bottle for reuse that has a natural cork cap. The only bottles I have problems with are using natural cork stoppers. It is only a small percentage of course but I just don't like to use them for longer term storage.