The chances of whisky going bad are very slim. While the taste might change over time, whisky doesn't technically go off. After a point, you may decide that a bottle has been opened for too many years and it tastes too different from what it originally was and consequently get rid of the remaining contents.
The signs that whiskey has gone bad are an off-putting smell, a color change, and a harsh taste. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the whiskey.
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. Why is this?
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.
10 year old whisky is a very popular age. Hitting double digits is an important benchmark, and for many it signifies a step up a league. Whether that holds any actual significance, 10 year old whiskies are definitely very popular, with particular favorites being Ardbeg 10 Year Old and Laphroaig 10 Year Old.
50-year-old whisky is almost the holy grail in spirits terms. Very few casks of whisky will reach 50 years old and still be drinkable, representing a tiny, tiny fraction of a percent.
There are many who prefer the younger Pappy expressions, particularly the 15, as they find the older bottle a bit too oaky. But the 20 is a tasty whiskey, just pushing up against the boundaries of bitterness. Of course, this is Pappy we're talking about, so you'll probably never get to try and decide for yourself.
Whether a three-year-old expression spends a year or 30 years on a shelf without being opened, it is still a three-year-old whisky. This is because the taste profile of a whisky shouldn't change if it remains unopened. A whisky draws its flavour from the wood that it matures in.
Whisky lasts indefinitely. So even if you have an unopened bottle from the '70s, it can still be opened and consumed a decade from now. It may slightly change its taste over time, but it won't spoil. Some whisky houses put a “best by” on the bottle, but that's usually just for formality.
Whisky that is aged for very long in a barrel (over 25 years) can start to lose the taste of the grain. However, in most cases, more years in the barrel means a more sophisticated taste with more notes to savour.
To prevent oxidation, whiskey should be stored in a cool, dry place. The best way to keep whiskey from oxidizing is to keep the bottle sealed. You can also pour your half-empty bottles into a smaller decanter or bottle to decrease headspace in the bottle and prevent exposure to oxygen.
Whiskey is the spelling in the United States and Ireland. Whisky is the spelling in Canada, Japan, and Scotland. What sets Scotch whisky apart from other whiskies is that Scotch whisky is entirely produced and bottled in Scotland.
The next step was to measure the bacteria's resistance to different types of alcohol. They tested the bacteria against whiskey, vodka, different types of mixers and various environmental conditions. Bacteria continued to thrive in all of the samples except one: you guessed it, the whiskey.
Scotch whisky: Best aged 12–25 years
Since Scotch whisky is aged typically in used barrels, it takes longer to extract vanilla or caramel flavors from the wood.
Bourbon does not expire, but it can go bad if it's been exposed to oxygen, light, or heat. If your bourbon has changed color, smells moldy, or tastes bitter, it's best to throw it out. Bourbon will last about six months after it's been opened.
The chances of whisky going bad are very slim. While the taste might change over time, whisky doesn't technically go off. After a point, you may decide that a bottle has been opened for too many years and it tastes too different from what it originally was and consequently get rid of the remaining contents.
You won't find one. That's because distilled spirits of 40% ABV (alcohol content by volume) don't actually go bad or expire. A full bottle of unopened whiskey can taste just as good 20 years after it was bottled as the day it was made.
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.
There's an oily, syrupy texture here that's not off-putting, but rather enticing. On the palate, you'll get cherry, licorice and a bit of an herbal note, followed by spice, dried fruit and more smoke (though not a lot) on the finish.
The more detail on the tasting notes the better in my opinion. Also, if a whisky is smoky, you'll often see the words 'peat', or 'smoke' on the bottle highlighting this quality.
Age Matters
Aging does wonders when it comes to making whiskey smoother. The wood barrels in which whiskey is aged absorb chemical compounds in the spirit, making it smoother and easier to drink. The barrels also impart flavors like caramel, vanilla, and oak — all of which make whiskey easier on the palate.
A whisky with a minimum age of 30 years is a truly special thing. Over this length of time the cask will have imparted all kinds of character and depth to these drams, and the resulting whiskies have the potential to carry staggeringly complex flavours.
The 50 Year Old | 40.7% abv | Distilled in 1961
Today, just 200 bottles of this truly exceptional single malt remain. Bowmore 50 Year Old is a celebration of not just one mastercraft, but many, starting with the time-honoured skills of our small distillery team that cold winter's day on Islay.
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.