The basics of whiskey storage
Whiskey is a distillate that requires little attention. The first is that of never throw the package away original, especially if you have a bottle of a certain value on hand.
It does not like humidity, sunlight and excessive temperatures. Since the cork is not tightened, as happens with wine, the bottle should always be stored in upright position to prevent alcohol from degrading the cork base by altering the flavor.
We also take the opportunity to dispel an old myth: whiskey it does not continue to age once bottled, the same goes for rum.
On the contrary if you keep rather stable but with the passage of time changes slightly and acquires more maturity and firmness.
This is why, unlike wine, the rules of conservation are quite easy, if not trivial.
Read also: How to taste whiskey correctly
The right whiskey storage temperature
The first thing to do is avoid direct contact with light, heat and sunlight because they evaporate the alcohol which, compared to water, vaporizes at 78 degrees centigrade.
This could become quite dangerous in the summer if you have stored several bottles in an airtight display case. Evaporation would raise the surrounding temperature, ruining the contents of everything you have stored inside it.
The evaporation temperature of alcohol may seem very low to you but it does not take long to reach it if you think that the passenger compartment of a car, exposed to the sun for fifteen minutes, reaches in no time the 65 degrees centigrade.
The evaporation of alcohol spoils the whiskey as much as the frost which precipitates the harmonies of flavors and smells in the circulation and alters their flavors.
Moisture and anti-decay remedies
Keep in mind, therefore, that your bottles must never be exposed to changes and sudden changes in temperature and must be stored in a cool and dry placeaway from direct sunlight.
The temperature should be between 16 and 22 degrees and the bottles to be stored should never be exposed to light.
Humidity, on the other hand, it does not spoil the whiskey itself but it attacks the label which, as you well know, is a precious element of the bottle. The same goes for ink which, with light and humidity, tends to discolour.
To avoid this annoying deterioration you could use the transparent film to wrap the bottle.
In this way you will protect it from humidity, light, temperatures, humidity, mold and direct contact with your hands.
Have you ever seen tilted wine bottles? Don't do it with whiskey!
This practice serves to ensure that the wine comes into contact with the outside for better aging.
On the contrary, well-preserved whiskey must never come into contact with the cork.
Sometimes you may want to lay the bottle down to avoid the entry of air or that the cork gets too dry but this is an operation not to be repeated more than once or twice a year.
Finally, learn to take note of the liquid level in the bottle because, if it drops too much, it means that evaporation is in progress which oxidizes and debases whiskey, drastically reducing its value.
Unfortunately, when a whiskey evaporates, unless someone in the house has not smashed your display case, it means that the conservation has not been optimal and what remains is a distilled decidedly worse than when it was bottled.
Also read: 5 tips for pairing whiskey with food
How to keep an open bottle of whiskey?
When the bottle has been opened it will be very difficult to finish it in a few days, except in rare special cases. So this means that the bottle will need to be stored for a few months in the best way to preserve the aromas and alcohol.
First of all, the opening itself oxidizes the content and there is no remedy that can avoid this consequence.
The problem is linked precisely to the fact that over time whiskey tends to lose intensity and structure and the process accelerates as the bottle empties.
Practically, the air that enters the bottle itself becomes a protective cap but, when this becomes proportionally greater than the content, the loss of alcohol content and aromas becomes unstoppable.
No difference between open or closed bottle
In conclusion, for an open bottle the same precautions apply to the conservation of a closed one.
The only difference lies in the fact that one semi empty bottle it loses more aromas and alcohol than one almost full.
If you have a bottle with a cork stopper this could deteriorate and stick to the glass, breaking in half as you prepare to uncork it.
In this case, wrap what is left of the cork in plastic wrap to recreate its original shape and take care of tighten hermetically after pouring the whiskey into your glass.
By following these guidelines you will best preserve your whiskey but if this is really it valuable, perhaps it is appropriate to add a lock to the display case!
