Cork Tops and Drying

I kept a bottle of Glinkinche open for over 6 months and the cork dried up. The last opening, the cork disintegrated and many bits of cork ended up in the whisky. No fun!

I currently am storing my Laphroiag bottle on its side to keep the work wet as I plan to keep the bottle for some time. However, the volume will drop to low for whiskey to meet the cork.

Do I need to replace the cork when drinking a bottle over this period of time?

Suggestions welcome.

[505Gibbs]

Spirits with cork tops while asthetically pleasing are, to me, always a crap shoot as to how long the cork will survive! I believe there are some types[species] of cork that are perhaps more durable[if you will] than others I don't know if the bottlers check for the highest quality and even if they did - how could you know what you received once its mated to the top!
Having said that - I've been down your road many times in my years of enjoying scotch, cognac and armagnac many of which came with a cork top.
What I've done over the years is save the tops from consumed bottles hoping that I'll have one of the right size to atleast 'plug' the top irrespective of how nice it looks. I've done this for many year hence I happen to have accumulated the supply - for the newcomer its not as easy. Hardware stores sell corks - literally but no pretty top just a tapered cork as one solution after you've strained out the crumbled cork should you choose to do so.
To your other question - DO NOT store a spirit on its side with a cork top the higher alcohol content breaks the cork down. Store cork spirits upright.

How about a wine stopper like this:

http://www.winestoppershop.com/HiTechStoppers.html

[505Gibbs]

Originally Posted by edoetsch

How about a wine stopper like this:

http://www.winestoppershop.com/HiTechStoppers.html

Based only on the pictures on the site these are tapered and the large end may not be able to seal the diameter of the bottle in question. Wine bottles generally, but not always, have somewhat similar neck sizes while liquor bottles do not necessarily have a standard diameter. It will work in some cases and not others - IMO. Additionally, with the taper, it 'appears' only one of the 'O' rings would do the sealing its not like a longer length on the cork unless you go with my suggestion of a tapered cork from the hardware store.

[blenderm]

Most corks used for single malts are cold wax rolled to make sure that they don't dry over a long time so you should be OK to store your Laphroaig upright. One of the other reasons to cold roll corks is to seal in any seed etc that may be in the crevices of the cork.

[p_froes]

Hi edoetsch,

Don't store the bottle on its side. The high alcohol can react with the cork, and you wouldn't want that! What I do is every couple of weeks or so I lay my bottles on their side for a couple of minutes to wet the cork.

[Arctic Wolf]

I tip all of my bottles three time a year for two days to keep the corks wet. As well I went to a specialty wine shop (one of those that sells the wine making kits) and bought high density corks of various sizes, (they are inexpensive). I recork every bottle that shows signs of cracks and such. It the price I pay to enjoy my whisky.

[Cannella]

So I lay my bottles on their sides for a few minutes every month or so, but even then I'm noticing the corks are drying out. I even had one leak a bit last night while it was on its side.
I put an expansion stopper in it, but I'm concerned the rubber may degrade.

So where does one find high density corks, and should I be concerned about the rubber in an expansion stopper?

I have between 65-85 bottles at any time (around 50 are open, I drink slow and like to try different flavors), and would prefer to go the stopper route if it can be trusted.

I'm lazy like that.

[jwise]

I feel your pain. I have been drinking up a bunch of my stock, but I once had approx 50 opened as well. I have had several corks go out on me.

I tip mine over every now and then to wet them. At least every time I pour from the bottle. It helps, but doesn't completely eliminate the risk.

Some of my whiskies (high end and some low end) came with synthetic corks I don't have to worry about. I keep a few extras of different sizes on hand as mentioned above, and replace them if a cork starts to break apart or crack.

I store the bottles upright, as continuous exposure to the whisky is not advised.

[Islay Peat]

I just transported all my whiskies and the only one that showed just a touch of seepage was Johnnie Walker Double Black, which is a screw top - no leakage from any of the corked bottles.