Does whiskey go bad?

[chatolandia]

I hate scotch

However

stronger spirits (Whiskey, rum, vodka), don't get spoiled with age. Their alcohol % prevents that from happening. This is the whole idea behind Sherry, Port, etc, they would last the voyage to their destination and not spoil.

Their flavor might change a little, especially if they are not completely sealed, some of the alcohol will evaporate, and other flavors may concentrate.

This applies only to glass bottles, not plastic, and you need to keep it away from sunlight (sun causes oxidation)

 

[Swellegant]

Whisky goes bad, yes it does! If it's not stored at optimal conditions, it does indeed go bad. Trust me.

Brown liquor stored at optimal conditions (a cool, dry, dark place) will get better with age... a smoother richer taste. The passage of time dulls the hard edges of flavors. Clear liquor doesn't really improve, but neither does it spoil, if stored in proper conditions.

If it's stored in nonoptimal conditions, if it gets warm or hot by being stored in direct sunlight or any warm place, it will spoil... the alcohol will continue to ferment, making it stronger, and the nonalcoholic elements will rot, ruining the flavor.

But after two years of temperance, I think the perceived strength of the liquor is due to your not being used to it, not in any change in the liquor itself. Alcohol is an antigenic substance and damages whatever tissues it comes into contact with; the pain of it entering your system is something you have to get used to... or not, as the case may be.

 

[Kulindahr]

If it's stored in nonoptimal conditions, if it gets warm or hot by being stored in direct sunlight or any warm place, it will spoil... the alcohol will continue to ferment, making it stronger, and the nonalcoholic elements will rot, ruining the flavor.

The bacteria which cause fermentation can't survive in an alcohol concentration of more than about twelve percent, and those are some darned tough bugs -- most crap out lower, down in single digits. That's why distilling was developed in the first place: to get concentrations higher than fermentation could give.
Whiskey, at anywhere from forty to a hundred-eighty proof, doesn't ferment.

 

[TickTockMan]

But after two years of temperance, I think the perceived strength of the liquor is due to your not being used to it, not in any change in the liquor itself. Alcohol is an antigenic substance and damages whatever tissues it comes into contact with; the pain of it entering your system is something you have to get used to... or not, as the case may be.

I think you’re right. Last time I had a drink was August 30th, 2009 and before that July 1st, 2009 at the bar. I’m sure it had more to do with me than anything else.

 

[treanir]

plastic bottle

Plastic bottles of whiskey???

 

[Corny]

Plastic bottles of whiskey???

 

[Joshua_me]

Plastic bottles of whiskey???

Heh...

Yeah, even the relatively good stuff (like my personal fav, Canadian Club) comes in a plastic bottle, now...

Not so in The Netherlands ?

 

[treanir]

Heh...

Yeah, even the relatively good stuff (like my personal fav, Canadian Club) comes in a plastic bottle, now...

Not so in The Netherlands ?

Yes, I remember seeing a plastic bottle of Canadian Club at an airport tax-free shop. I thought it was a horrible mistake.

We only do glass bottles.