Whisky Storage

Hi all,

In all my books and magazines on whisky - I have yet to find anything suggesting how to store bottles for long term keep without opening them...

Should my bottles be stored on their sides like we do with wines?

If I keep them upright, will the cork keep fresh and NOT crack when i open one up in 10+ yrs?

I know of the light and temperature effect but can't seem to find anything related to the cork.

Thanks
Scott

[bkblankenship]

Originally Posted by vwfergie

Hi all,

In all my books and magazines on whisky - I have yet to find anything suggesting how to store bottles for long term keep without opening them...

Should my bottles be stored on their sides like we do withwines?

If I keep them upright, will the cork keep fresh and NOT crack when i open one up in 10+ yrs?

I know of the light and temperature effect but can't seem to find anything related to the cork.

Thanks
Scott

No, scotch does not have to lay on it's side as wine due to the higher ABV ( alcohol by volume ). Scotch has on the average 3X the ABV of wine, therefore creating a higher vapor pressure. It's the vapor pressure that keeps the cork moist. So the higher the ABV, the greater the vapor pressure.

thank you.

That would obviously answer why some of my bottles get condensation near the cork? -- even it they are open...

My bottles are stored in a rock cellar down in my basement with the rod iron gate allowing sufficent air flow so that the area is not too cold. It is a basement my familly uses - rec room, tv room etc etc... finished basement.

[nitehawk55]

Best to stand the bottle up . I've read that the cork can be bitter if it breaks down from contact with the contents and actually harm the taste of the whisky .
Keep you bottles stored in a cool dark place standing up

[silverfish]

Originally Posted by nitehawk55

... and actually harm the taste of the whisky .

Ah, the dreaded "cork taint".

nitehawk is correct: "...cool dark place standing up."
(preferably my basement - send 'em on over! )

[Jojo]

I've also heard from someone who is a big collector that if you really want to keep them for a long time - to help keep out air, wrap your bottles in saran wrap. Even the best sealed bottles eventually allow some air to seep in. Anyone else hear of or do this?

[silverfish]

Originally Posted by Jojo

I've also heard from someone who is a big collector that if you really want to keep them for a long time - to help keep out air, wrap your bottles in saran wrap. Even the best sealed bottles eventually allow some air to seep in. Anyone else hear of or do this?

I've used parafilm on some older unopened bottles (only wrapped the
neck area - not the entire bottle) that had shown a bit of evaporation.

It was recommended on a bourbon forum. I got mine on ebay - it's
relatively inexpensive and a little goes a long way.

Originally Posted by silverfish

I've used parafilm on some older unopened bottles (only wrapped the
neck area - not the entire bottle) that had shown a bit of evaporation.

It was recommended on a bourbon forum. I got mine on ebay - it's
relatively inexpensive and a little goes a long way.

How long is it supposed to last?

[Derek]

Originally Posted by Jojo

I've also heard from someone who is a big collector that if you really want to keep them for a long time - to help keep out air, wrap your bottles in saran wrap. Even the best sealed bottles eventually allow some air to seep in. Anyone else hear of or do this?

It would be good if we could do this with the casks in the warehouse, think of the millions of litres that are lost