Preserve Your Precious Pour
How to Store Whiskey? Preserving Taste & Temperature Tips
How To Store Whiskey?
Navigating the nuances of whiskey storage is essential for ensuring the spirit’s character, flavour, and longevity are maintained. Unlike wine, whiskey’s evolution halts once bottled, yet its storage plays an essential role in safeguarding its essence. Mastering the trifecta of temperature, humidity, and light control is crucial for any whiskey enthusiast aiming to preserve flavour. In this guide, we’ll explore the secrets of whiskey storage, revealing how the pros at Jameson keep their whiskey up to standard with the end goal of drinking whiskey like a pro.
1. Store it in the Correct Whiskey Storage Temperature
Identifying the ideal whiskey storage temperature is akin to finding a comfortable nook in your local pub —it should be just right. A consistent temperature between 15-20 degrees Celsius acts as a sanctuary for preserving the whiskey’s rich tapestry of flavours.
Extreme or fluctuating temperatures can cause the whiskey to expand, compromising its delicate balance. A consistent temperature wards off degradation, making a dark place within a home bar or a glass fronted cabinet an optimal storage solution for unopened bottles.
Also, remember never to place your whiskey in the freezer. Whiskey does not freeze, and doing so will damage its flavour.
2. Avoid Sunlight
Storing whiskey bottles upright is essential, particularly for those with a cork seal, to prevent the cork from deteriorating over time. Immersing a cork in high-ABV whiskey may lead to its breakdown, which may lead to its breakdown and can subsequently impart off-notes on the whiskey’s sensory profile. This issue is easily avoided by keeping your bottles in an upright position, a straightforward yet effective approach to safeguard both the whiskey and its cork.
For whiskey enthusiasts, arranging bottles upright serves not only as a practical measure for preservation but also as a tasteful way to display your collection. Although it’s generally best to keep them upright, occasionally tilting your bottles can help keep the cork from drying out while maintaining the quality of your whiskey.
3. Store It Standing
Storing whiskey bottles upright is essential, particularly for those with a cork seal, to prevent the cork from deteriorating over time. Immersing a cork in high-ABV whiskey may lead to its breakdown, which may lead to its breakdown and can subsequently impart off-notes on the whiskey’s sensory profile. This issue is easily avoided by keeping your bottles in an upright position, a straightforward yet effective approach to safeguard both the whiskey and its cork.
For whiskey enthusiasts, arranging bottles upright serves not only as a practical measure for preservation but also as a tasteful way to display your collection. Although it’s generally best to keep them upright, occasionally tilting your bottles can help keep the cork from drying out while maintaining the quality of your whiskey.
4. Enjoy your Perfectly Preserved Pour
With these whiskey storage practices in play, your whiskey is primed for perfection. Whether served neat or on the rocks, as the heart of a whiskey mixer, or the soul of a whiskey cocktail, your meticulously stored whiskey invites a deeper appreciation of its nuances. Your home bar becomes a stage, where each pour is a performance, celebrating the preserved flavour freshness with every sip.
For whiskey-tasting tips, take a tour through our guide.
Should Whiskey be Stored Chilled in the Refrigerator?
No, storing whiskey in the refrigerator is not recommended as it obscures the depth and complexity. The cool, consistent environment of a fridge may seem like a good idea, but chilling whiskey can dull its rich flavours and aromas, detracting from the experience.
Whiskey thrives at room temperature, where its complexity and depth can be fully appreciated. Therefore, when pondering “should whiskey be refrigerated” or “do you refrigerate whiskey,” the answer is a clear and resounding no. Keeping whiskey out of the fridge ensures you’ll enjoy every nuanced sip exactly as the distillers intended.
Just think, how did the uisce beatha enthusiasts store whiskey back in the day before refrigerators were created? For more on the history of whiskey, check out our guide to the origin of the spirit.
Where to Store Whiskey?
The ideal location for storing your whiskey largely hinges on your budget and the level of your enthusiasm. From the dedicated aficionado to the casual sipper, there are myriad whiskey storage ideas to suit every preference and price point, including cabinets, and racks. While a cellar might seem like an appealing option for its cool temperatures, it’s crucial to ensure it’s not too damp, as excessive moisture can compromise the quality of your whiskey. Cabinets and racks, on the other hand, offer versatile and accessible whiskey bottle storage solutions that can be tailored to fit various spaces and collections. A glass-fronted cabinet not only protects but proudly displays your collection, blending security with spectacle.
How to Store Whiskey After It’s Been Opened?
After opening a bottle of whiskey, it’s important to follow certain best practices to preserve its quality and flavour. First and foremost, ensure the bottle is tightly sealed after each use to minimise exposure to air, as oxidation begins the moment the bottle is opened.
As oxidation enters the scene, it seeks to rewrite the flavour profile, a change most noticeable in whiskey months after opening. To slow down this process, consider transferring the whiskey to a smaller bottle to reduce air space if you’re not planning to consume it quickly.
How To Open A Whiskey Bottle Correctly?
Opening a whiskey bottle correctly, especially one sealed with a cork, requires a gentle touch to preserve both the cork and the whiskey’s integrity. To remove the cork, gently twist while pulling upwards, avoiding any abrupt motions that could damage the cork or spill the whiskey.
Once the bottle is open, remember that oxidation begins, gradually dulling the whiskey’s complex flavour compounds. It’s generally recommended to consume an opened bottle within 2 months to enjoy its optimal taste. This guideline should be considered when deciding to open a new bottle, as the clock starts ticking on the whiskey’s peak flavour period the moment the cork is popped.
To reseal the bottle for optimal preservation, ensure the cork is snugly fitted back into place, maintaining a tight seal to slow the oxidation process as much as possible.
Whiskey Storage FAQs
What temperature should whiskey be stored at?
Does whiskey go bad in heat?
Now that we’ve armed you with a barrel full of whiskey storage wisdom, why not put your knowledge to the tasting with Jameson Irish Whiskey?