Question: We’re cleaning out our pantry and found some old, open bottles of rum, gin and other spirits. Are they still safe to drink?
Answer: Alcohol has long been celebrated as a great preservative; most spirits don’t go bad, in the sense that they continue to be safe to drink in moderation. They do lose flavour intensity and alcoholic strength over time, so that dusty bottle of tequila left over from your Cinco de Mayo party in 2017 will likely taste different from a newly opened one, but it isn’t generally considered dangerous.
Spirits above 40-per-cent abv (80 proof) don’t expire. Anything that’s been distilled, such as gin, vodka, rum, tequila or whisky, stops aging once it’s been bottled. Most brands are best enjoyed in the first year. That said, properly stored, factory-sealed bottles can be comparatively fresh even 10 years after release, meaning their aromas and flavour intensity will be relatively unchanged.
Exposure to heat and light will cause chemical changes inside any bottle of alcohol, open or not, which is why storing in a cupboard or a cool, dark place is suggested. Doing so prevents evaporation and oxidation, thereby extending shelf life. Once open, exposure to oxygen will cause the spirit’s flavour to change, while heat will cause evaporation of the alcohol. Depending on how much liquid is left in the bottle and the length of time open, those changes could be subtle only to a trained palate or much more pronounced.
Cream-based liqueurs and wines are more perishable
Cream-based and other liqueurs, which contain lower alcohol volumes ranging from 17 to 27 per cent, and wine-based spirits such as vermouth, are more perishable. Cream liqueurs such as Baileys and Amarula can separate or curdle. Keeping open bottles in the refrigerator helps to extend their shelf life. Even then, eight to 12 months is likely the maximum time you should let them linger.
Open bottles of whisky fare better but are still considered at their best within a year or two. A whisky’s taste will become smoother in time, but the impact on its flavour is not as easily predicted – possibly better, potentially worse. I find higher-proof whiskies change more quickly than ones bottled around 40-per-cent alcohol. Those barrel notes and other bold flavours can really concentrate.
How much liquid is left in the bottle is crucial
Some connoisseurs reduce air contact by pouring the remains into a smaller bottle. I’ve also heard of some placing sterilized glass marbles or ball bearings into a prized whisky bottle to displace oxygen. I could never be that meticulous, but with extra time on our hands, it may be something to consider.
The amount of liquid left is one of the most crucial aspects to consider when you come across a long overlooked bottle of booze. Members of the spirits trade and others I know live by the credo that once you’re down to the last third of a bottle, it’s time to drink up. I often took that as a license for them to sell more product, but maybe these brand ambassadors were truly being quality-minded. They didn’t want that bottle to lose its lustre or appeal.
Once opened, distilled spirits like whiskey and gin won't expire or become unsafe to consume, but they may start to taste “off” after 1–3 years. Liqueurs, opened, will usually last 6 months–1 year. Vermouths and other wine-based spirits like vino amari should be refrigerated and consumed within 6–8 weeks.
Liqueurs that contain dairy, cream, or egg should be consumed as soon as possible. Drink liqueurs like Baileys Irish Cream and Amarula within a year of opening; RumChata should be drunk within six months of opening. Even in unopened bottles, these liqueurs may spoil and be undrinkable after a year and a half or more.
Most primary (also called "base") liquors like whiskey, brandy, rum, gin, tequila, and vodka, have an almost infinite shelf life if left unopened. That's because they don't have much sugar and, unopened, aren't at risk of any oxidation.
The good news is that liquor such as gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, and rum, are considered shelf-stable. That means that as long as you store the bottle properly and it remains unopened, you can consider it safe to drink indefinitely.
Once opened, a bottle of rum should be used within 6 months to 2 years, depending on the additional flavors in the liquor. While straight rum will typically retain its flavor profile for about 2 years, the sugars and spices in a flavored rum will interact with oxygen once the bottle is opened.
Once your gin bottle is open, the oxidisation process starts. Basically, the gin's flavour will change (and get slightly worse) very gradually over time. It's preferable to use up an opened bottle of gin within a year. Although it won't go off, after a year or more opened gin won't taste particularly nice.
However, even if tightly resealed, the taste and quality of gin in an opened bottle will very gradually start to change as it reacts with oxygen in the air. Therefore it is recommended that you finish a bottle within 2 years of opening it.
Does Bailey's Irish Cream go bad or expire? Generally as long as you don't subject it to temperature extremes it will last well beyond the official 2 year "best taste before" date. Over time the taste will change and the liquid tends to go a bit darker but only really noticeable if you do a side by side comparison.
Once opened, it's best to consume it within 2 years for unflavored rum and within 6 months for flavoured varieties to enjoy the best quality. While rum doesn't go bad, it can change in taste and quality over time, so savour it while it's at its best.
Rum is a very stable spirit and if unopened it will retain its quality and flavour. Once opened, rum can be stored for years without going bad, unless you keep it in an unsealed bottle next to a radiator or in direct sunlight.
However, its flavor can gradually change over time due to oxidation. For optimal taste, it's recommended to consume an opened bottle of rum within 1-2 years. Store it in a cool, dark place and ensure the cap is tightly sealed to slow down the oxidation process.
For Kahlúa Original, we recommend a shelf life of 4 years. Actually, the product will be good for many more years, but the coffee impact fades over time so it won't give you the full flavor impact. Also, if you were to receive an old bottle of Kahlúa, you have to make sure it has never been opened or tampered with.
Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily raises blood pressure. Repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases in blood pressure.
Once opened, distilled spirits like whiskey and gin won't expire or become unsafe to consume, but they may start to taste “off” after 1–3 years. Liqueurs, opened, will usually last 6 months–1 year. Vermouths and other wine-based spirits like vino amari should be refrigerated and consumed within 6–8 weeks.
An opened bottle of vodka can last for years if stored properly. Though some subtle changes in flavor and aroma might occur, it won't spoil or become harmful to consume. However, connoisseurs might notice a slight degradation in taste after about 12 months.
If you choose to refrigerate your rumchata, it will last the same time as the pantry. An opened bottle can last for up to 12 months without losing taste, and an unopened bottle can last a couple of years.
Whiskey is meant to be enjoyed over time, but once you open a bottle, the clock starts ticking. Most scientists believe that if your bottle is at least half full, it can last one to two years, but if it's almost empty, with a quarter or less whiskey left, it'll expire in about six months.
An unopened bottle of tequila has an indefinite shelf life, which means it won't ever really expire. But once that bottle is opened, it will remain at peak quality for 1 year. After that, it's likely to decline in smell, flavor and appearance.
After opening your Kahlua drink, it may not necessarily go bad. However, it will lose its flavor and richness over time, so you should consume the beverage within a month or two after opening. Nonetheless, the drink can still be good to drink after a few months of opening.
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