Condensation build-up on inside neck of brand new bottle

[NickAtMartinis]

Hello All,

Not sure about this. I noticed on my brand new bottle of WT Tribute that there is condensation buildup on the inside neck of the bottle. Not the outside, but the inside. All of my other unopened bottles of various other bourbons do not have this condensation. Is this something I should be worried about, i.e., bad cork, etc., or is it normal? I did a search but couldn't find any info on this.

Thanks for any and all help.

Regards,

Mark

[heatmiser]

Uh oh! That is a very very bad sign! Not only does it mean the seal has been broken, but it also is likely the whiskey inside is no longer drinkable. Sorry to hear about your misfortune on such a wonderful bourbon.

My recommendation would be to send it to me and I will dispose of it properly...

[NickAtMartinis]

Uh oh! That is a very very bad sign! Not only does it mean the seal has been broken, but it also is likely the whiskey inside is no longer drinkable. Sorry to hear about your misfortune on such a wonderful bourbon.

My recommendation would be to send it to me and I will dispose of it properly...

Okay, by your joking I'm assuming this is nothing to be alarmed about?

[heatmiser]

You are correct. I have noticed occasionally that my sealed bottles will develop condensation in the neck at times as well and they taste fine when I open them. However, I will check yours out persoanlly if you like...

[scratchline]

I think you may be studying that bottle of Tribute just a little too obsessively. You better crack it open and sample it to put your mind at ease. I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised.

-Mike

[heatmiser]

Here is a comment regarding the same question posted on a scotch whisky forum:

"I'm assuming we are talking about condensation on the inside of the bottle, if this is the case don't worry, it will happen under the right conditions (temp & pressure). As long as nothing is escaping the bottle then it will all go back to liquid when the conditions go back to normal. Really it is the same principle as distillation except since there is nowhere for the gas to go it condensates on the glass then falls back into the bottle. I would only be concerned if I knew it was escaping the bottle then you have to hope the cork is doing it's job."

[NickAtMartinis]

Here is a comment regarding the same question posted on a scotch whisky forum:

"I'm assuming we are talking about condensation on the inside of the bottle, if this is the case don't worry, it will happen under the right conditions (temp & pressure). As long as nothing is escaping the bottle then it will all go back to liquid when the conditions go back to normal. Really it is the same principle as distillation except since there is nowhere for the gas to go it condensates on the glass then falls back into the bottle. I would only be concerned if I knew it was escaping the bottle then you have to hope the cork is doing it's job."

Thanks heatmiser, for all the work in finding this out. It's good to know I'm not out my money on this one.

[NickAtMartinis]

I think you may be studying that bottle of Tribute just a little too obsessively. You better crack it open and sample it to put your mind at ease. I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised.

-Mike

Thanks, Mike. You're probably right. It sits right on my desk here at work so it's easy to over-study it.

[tango-papa]

Just give the bottle a shake or two, it'll make quick work of the condensation issue...:grin:

~tp

[HighTower]

I just went and looked at my Turkey bottles, and out of all of them (there's a few there), the only 2 with condensation are the US Tribute and Russell's Reserve 90. Perhaps it could have something to do with the size and shape of the airfill in the neck, considering they are in the same bottle.?

Scott

[MGades]

Condensation will occur in any bottle containing a liquid whenever the liquid in the bottle is (for at least a short period of time) at a higher temperature than the neck of the bottle surrounding the head-space.

All you can conclude is that the contents of your bottle were at a higher temperature than the bottle's surroundings for some period of time.

Maybe the bottle was left in a hot car or warehouse then returned to room temp or maybe it was at room temp then left for a while in a cold place.

The more volatile fractions of a mixture will predominate in the condensate, so do invert the bottle and allow the condensate to re-mix with the rest before making your first pour if you want to be extra cautious.

Theoretically, a rapid increase in pressure could also cause condensation, but a pressure-related explanation seems very unlikely.

A compromised cork would not explain the condensation.

[heatmiser]

A compromised cork would not explain the condensation.

I was thinking the same thing. It seems that a compromised cork would not leave condensation in the neck but rather let the vapors out all together. Is this a correct assumption?