“Does bourbon go bad?” is a question that’s asked quite often these days. If you’ve found a half-empty bottle of bourbon sitting in a cabinet for who knows how long, that’s a legitimate question to ask.
Maybe you had a habit of enjoying a small glass of bourbon every Friday, but life got hectic, and that bottle is sitting untouched for a few months. Or you got a bottle of bourbon as a gift a few years ago and for some reason didn’t quite have a chance to open it.
No matter if you opened the bottle or not, and how long it sits in the cabinet, chances are the alcohol will be safe to drink and, what’s even more important, taste as it’s supposed to.
If you would like to learn a thing a two about storage, shelf life, and going bad of bourbon, this article is for you. Let’s dive in.
How to Store Bourbon
Since bourbon is a type of whiskey, you store it pretty much the same way.
For a sealed bottle, two things to avoid are light and temperature. Both can catalyze chemical reactions that will mess with the flavor of the bourbon.
The best thing to do is store the bottle somewhere the temperature will not change often and away from light. While a basem*nt or wine cellar is preferred, you can also use a cabinet, closet, or even a box will do.
When you store it properly, the alcohol should remain the same as it was on the day it was bottled. You can keep an unopened bottle of bourbon for many years and not worry about any changes to the flavor. Bourbon only ages in wood, so no flavor change should happen.
When it comes to expensive bourbon, you don’t want to plow through it in one night. Sure, the cheap bottles who cares, but the expensive ones should be something you enjoy over time. While the shelf life of bourbon is indefinite, for quality purpose you want to store the opened bottle properly.
Once you have opened the bottle, you still want to keep it away from any sources of light or heat. Besides those two factors, oxidation is a process you should be aware of. In that process, the compounds are changed by oxygen, which affects the flavor of the bourbon.
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You can experience how oxidation works by leaving a glass of bourbon out overnight and drinking it in the morning.
The more air, the faster this process takes place. That’s why it’s important to make sure the lid is always screwed on tight. You don’t want oxygen leaking in and speeding up the oxidation.
Also, the more air in the bottle, the faster the oxidation. So, if you have a bottle that’s almost full, the quality of the alcohol will remain great for years to come. But if the bottle is two thirds empty, you can notice the flavor change within a few months.
A smart way to extend the taste of your bourbon is to empty the contents of the bottle into a smaller bottle and seal it tightly. This way, less oxygen will have access to the alcohol and therefore the process of oxidation will be slowed down.
Can You Store Bourbon in a Decanter?
Let’s finish this section with a word about decanters.
Decanters come with a slightly less airtight seal than bottles do. Because of that, they are a somewhat inferior way of storing bourbon than leaving it in a bottle.
However, that seal still does a pretty good job of keeping the oxygen from getting inside the decanter. So if you plan to drink that bourbon within a few months, pouring it into a decanter is perfectly fine. The change in flavor between the bourbon in a decanter and in a bottle in such a short period will be negligible.
How Long Does Bourbon Last
As mentioned earlier, bourbon has a pretty much indefinite shelf life.
If you stumble on a bottle of bourbon that hasn’t been touched in many years, don’t worry about it being bad. If it’s not opened, you can expect the flavor to be the same as it was the day it got bottled.
However, stumble onto an open bottle and all bets are off. It won’t get you sick, but the flavor will depend on factors such as where it was stored, for how long, and how much liquid was in the bottle.
As already stated, the more alcohol in the bottle, the better quality you can expect. If there’s only a little left in the bottle, and it sat in the cabinet for a few months, you can expect the taste to be quite disappointing.
Pantry
Bourbon (Unopened or opened)
Keeps fine indefinitely
How To Tell If Bourbon Is Bad?
As with most hard liquors, bourbon doesn’t go bad. Because of the alcohol content, any bacteria that enter the bottle will be killed. So it’s more of a question of how bad the quality of the bourbon can get over time.
Once you open the bottle of bourbon, the alcohol will start to evaporate slowly over time. With the addition of oxygen, the contents slowly begin to change. This results in a loss of flavor over the years. While it is not dangerous to consume bourbon that tastes somewhat off or develops a slightly different odor, it is still best to discard it for quality purposes.
Of course, if you notice that something is wrong with the bourbon, get rid of it. Human intuition is quite good at figuring out if something is safe to eat.If you’re not sure the alcohol is okay to drink, cut your losses and throw it away.
Bourbon FAQ
What’s the difference between a whiskey and a bourbon?
For a whiskey to be a bourbon it must meet a few criteria to earn the name. Here’s a quick summary of those requirements.
First, it must be made in the United States. It must contain 51% corn, while also being aged in new oak charred barrels. The whiskey must be distilled no higher than 160 proof and barreled for aging at no more than 125 proof. When bottled it must be no less than 80 proof (or 40% alcohol by volume).
Lastly, the whiskey must not include any type of additives including flavoring or coloring.
When the whiskey fulfills these rules, it can be considered a bourbon.
The shelf life of bourbon isn't much different from the shelf life of whiskey, as a whole. Unopened, a bottle of bourbon won't go bad. You can store it for decades. But once a bottle of bourbon is opened, it's got roughly 1 to 2 years before it goes bad.
If you find an old bottle of whiskey in the back of a liquor cabinet and want to try it, have no fear: Old liquor will not make you sick like other expired items. The only risk it poses is delivering a dull taste and an underwhelming drinking experience.
Is 50 year old liquor still good? 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.
While some aging is desirable to achieve the best flavor profile, too much aging can actually cause the Bourbon to lose flavor. A great distiller can find the sweet spot in the aging process where the youngest whiskey no longer has its sharp, unfinished taste but hasn't succumbed to flavor loss from over-aging.
Drinking a whisky that was opened years ago will not make you unwell. It is down to what your taste preference is more than anything else. If a whisky noticeably no longer tastes as good as it once did, then it's probably time to dispose of the bottle.
Can Old Bourbon Make You Sick? Bad bourbon will not make you sick, but it can taste really gross. If your bourbon has been stored in a hot place or was exposed to sunlight, it may have gone bad. These conditions can cause the alcohol to evaporate and change the flavor of the bourbon.
Storing a bourbon bottle in a cool place is acceptable, but bourbon should not be refrigerated as it does not enhance the flavor. Many of the aromas of whiskey are lost when stored in a fridge.
"Hard liquor contains more alcohol than beer or wine, making it more dangerous for your liver," continues Coleman. "A single shot of 80-proof hard liquor contains about 15 grams of alcohol and most shots contain even more alcohol than this." Another alcoholic beverage also takes a considerable toll on your liver.
Due to the high alcohol content and the fact that alcohol is an antiseptic (it kills bacteria) Bourbon and other whiskies contain little, if any, bacteria. Furthermore, Bourbon and other whiskies are often filtered prior to bottling, which is another deterrent to Bourbon-containing bacteria.
This bourbon is aged 20 years and bottled at 90.4 proof for a wonderfully smooth and rich profile. Pappy Van Winkle was a true character and like its namesake, this bourbon whiskey is full of character – quite a remarkable whiskey.
The guests were gathered for one purpose: to sample the imminent release of James Thompson & Brother Final Reserve. At 45 years old, it was billed as the oldest bourbon ever brought to bottle.
While whiskey doesn't necessarily expire, it does start to lose flavor and elements after it is opened. An unopened bottle of whiskey will last indefinitely if stored in proper condition. After opening a bottle of whiskey, you have as long as two years or as few as six months or less to drink it before it goes bad.
A bourbon must be distilled at no more than 160 proof, or 80% alcohol by volume. Jack is well under that. It comes over the still at 140 proof, or 70% alcohol.
The grandes dames of the portfolio, Michter's 25-Year Rye and 25-Year Bourbon represent more than a quarter century of maturation in the Distillery's finest barrels. Available only as stocks permit, these outstanding whiskeys are extraordinarily rich in flavor.
The whole purpose behind ageing spirits is to reduce the harsher flavours that are associated with raw alcohol, while introducing flavours that are found in the wood of the barrel, which adds a distinct taste.
In early February 2022, The Macallan unveiled the oldest whisky ever released: The Macallan Reach. Distilled in 1940 during the Second World War, it spent 81 years building character in a single sherry seasoned cask before just 288 artisanal decanters were filled.
Can you drink 70 year old whiskey? There's one more thing worth knowing – it's extremely unlikely that it will actually go bad. If you will store it properly, it will be fine for many many years. Even after opening the bottle it still can be stored for a long time and will remain safe to drink.
According to our spirit experts, unopened whiskey does not go bad. In fact, an unopened bottle of whiskey lasts up to 10 years or more as long as you store them properly. When it comes to opened bottles of whiskey, it can last for up to two years if it's half full.
Straight or neat is the best way to enjoy bourbon and let all the subtle intricacies of the aromas and flavors truly come together. While often used interchangeably, there's a subtle difference between neat and straight. Neat means that you don't add any water or ice.
Per the American Bourbon Association, in order to be classified as bourbon, a whiskey needs to be distilled from a mixture of grains, or mash, that's at least 51 percent corn. That corn gives bourbon its distinctive sweet flavor.
Whisky is at its optimum taste at room temperature, so between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius (60-65 °F). This goes for Scotch, Irish, Japanese Whisky, and Bourbon.
The high proof whiskey stimulates the stomach's enzymes, which help to break down food. This benefit makes whiskey an excellent part of your next happy hour.
While drinking whiskey should not substitute a healthy diet and exercise, studies have shown that it can help with weight loss. Bourbon, compared to other alcohol choices, has a much lower calorie count, little sugar, no carbs and only 100 calories.
Any type of alcohol can play a role in the formation of a beer belly, according to MayoClinic.com. Straight shots of hard liquor, such as vodka, rum, tequila and whiskey contain about 64 calories per ounce, so it'll take longer for the calories to cause a beer belly, but it is possible.
WHY ARE THERE FLOATERS IN MY WHISKEY? On occasion we see floaters in our whiskey. They usually look like white, whispy clumps that sink to the bottom of the bottle. While we admit they look a little strange, they're really just a harmless byproduct of the fermentation and distillation process.
However, if you are going to drink, having red wine in moderation is a healthier choice than other alcoholic drinks. This is due to its high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been linked to better heart and gut health.
As well as having an actively positive effect on the body, whisky is also the healthiest alcohol you can drink. It contains no fat and hardly any sugar or carbohydrates. It barely alters the level of sugar in your blood, making it a better choice for diabetics than other alcohol.
This 100 Year Tribute is still a single barrel bourbon and is made using the same mash bill and age as its standard Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon, but it is bottled at 100 proof rather than 90 proof.
Bourbon is an American made whiskey that must contain at least 51 percent corn in its mash and be aged in new, charred-oak barrels. Whiskey can be made anywhere in the world, though there are additional differences depending on production and aging processes.
Unlike wines, distilled spirits like bourbon do not get better once bottled because the aging process stops. Moreso, as long as the bottles are sealed, the taste will stay the same and no longer improve or get better.
Many people also find that freezing whiskey helps to remove its “poor taste.” The drink is less likely to have an unpleasant or burning aftertaste when served cold. It's not advised to freeze whiskey, but it can be a beneficial tool for individuals who don't want to be overwhelmed by the drink's intensity.
Whiskey that has been over aged can taste bitter or ashy because the wood flavor takes over the grains. Depending on the type of whiskey, where it was produced, and the quality of the wood barrels, anything from 5 to 20 years of aging will make the perfect spirit in your bar.
According to Food & Wine, the reason whiskey bottles should not be placed on their side is that the strong liquor content of the spirit will break down the cork. Should the cork corrode, the whiskey will eventually leak out of the bottle.
A standard bottle of alcohol, or a fifth, has 750 milliliters, which will give you about 16 shots or 16 co*cktails. One shot is typically an ounce and a half.
Bourbon must use at least 51% corn mash. It has no age requirement, but it can only be called bourbon if it's aged for at least two years in new and charred barrels and distilled in the United States. Used barrels are not accepted.
Never bitter or sharp, Maker's Mark® is made with soft red winter wheat, instead of the usual rye, for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavored bourbon that's easy to drink. To ensure consistency, we rotate every barrel by hand and age our bourbon to taste, not time.
Specifically, Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky, and even though this technically uses a bourbon mashbill (64% corn, 31.5% rye, 4.5% malted barley), bourbon can only be made in America. Though the TTB originally approved the label, they reversed their decision and forced the brand to stop using the name 'Bourbon Mash'.
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is a mixture of Canadian whisky, cinnamon flavoring and sweeteners that is produced by the Sazerac Company. Its foundation is Canadian whisky, and the taste otherwise resembles the candy with a similar name, Ferrara Candy Company's "Atomic Fireball" candy.
While some aging is desirable to achieve the best flavor profile, too much aging can actually cause the Bourbon to lose flavor. A great distiller can find the sweet spot in the aging process where the youngest whiskey no longer has its sharp, unfinished taste but hasn't succumbed to flavor loss from over-aging.
The aging process is what gives bourbon its distinct flavor and color. The longer a bourbon is aged, the more mellow and smooth it will become. Bourbon has to be aged for a long time because of the reactions and processes that happen over time.
Most bottle manufacturers molded the year into the glass at the bottom of the bottle in 2-digit format. You'll often find it in the lower right portion when looking at the bottom (some dates are much easier to distinguish than others). This will usually tell you–within a year or two–when the whiskey was bottled.
As long as bourbon is barrelled correctly, aging really has no requirement for how long or less. It can go for any amount of time. But, there are two exceptions to this – straight bourbon whiskey has to be aged for a minimum of two years, and bottled-in-bond must be aged for at least four years.
Storing a bourbon bottle in a cool place is acceptable, but bourbon should not be refrigerated as it does not enhance the flavor. Many of the aromas of whiskey are lost when stored in a fridge.
The main differences between bourbon and whiskey are the kind of grain used and where the spirit is produced. Bourbon is an American made whiskey that must contain at least 51 percent corn in its mash and be aged in new, charred-oak barrels.
Absolutely lived up to the hype. It has the best elements of every top notch bourbon and I could not recommend it enough. Michter's 20 Year Old Bourbon which is carefully distilled at Michter's is adored for its sour cherry, caramel, vanilla and leather flavor notes.
The fact that the Kentucky state's climate and water supply are perfectly suited for distilling, and its long tradition of craftsmanship is unrivalled. However, many other states also produce high-quality bourbon. Indiana, for example, has a similar climate to Kentucky and is home to several respected distilleries.
Because whiskey has a lower freezing point than the recommended temperature in the United States, it will not freeze in a standard freezer. However, while keeping whiskey in the freezer will not damage it, icy temperatures will impact the liquid within the bottle.
The most sought-after bourbon in the world, Pappy Van Winkle 23-year-old, begins life as 53 gallons of new-make whiskey at 114 proof. What's left in the barrel after 23 years is a mere 14 gallons of bourbon at around 135-140 proof. What makes it into the bottle is even less.
While bourbon stands great on its own, some prefer to add ice. Bourbon or any spirit served over ice is referred to as "on the rocks." If you're new to the bourbon game, this can help tame it down and make it easier to acclimate yourself to drinking this spirit.
If you can't stand your alcohol served at room temperature, the second-best way to indulge in bourbon is by pouring it over ice. This will dilute some of the stronger flavors of the whiskey, but it will also make it a more enjoyable drinking experience.
Keeping any spirit in the freezer won't permanently harm it, but it will dull the flavors if you pull the bottle out and immediately pour a glass. While chilling flavorless vodka is fine and dandy, your expensive whiskey tastes way better at room temp.
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Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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