If you’re using a decanter with an airtight seal, the spirits inside will last just as long as they would in the original glass alcohol container. I thought is was great. Or more like no, and yes. They can cause change in a bottle of wine over time, again for better or ill. Something too harshly tannic now might mellow over a few years, while you wait patiently and/or drink other, friendlier wine. Depending on the type of liquor in a crystal decanter, lead can leach at different levels. More important than tannins: alcohol content. In the case of Whiskey, the liquor should be preserved for as long as it would if it had stayed in the original bottle. What’s pretty certain is that the more alcohol in the bottle, the slower the taste degradation process. if you get a rubber sealed one, make sure it's lead free. Just know that the longer you keep it in, the more alcohol will evaporate and the higher the chances it will go bad. I recommend the transferring to smaller bottles as well. I always like the whole "not showing off" aspect of decanters. Obviously, you get what you pay for, so the cheaper ones won't be completely airtight and this will lead to evaporation and corruption of the spirit inside. That way it's possible to store whiskey for more than ten years. One brandy stored in a crystal decanter for more than five years leached 21,500 micrograms per liter. That’s because the oxidisation process will speed up when the ratio of oxygen to whiskey increases. Traditionally they were made of cut lead crystal, and were a way to serve fine liquor without the crassness of using a bottle. The answer is a matter of quality, not safety, assuming proper storage conditions - when properly stored, a bottle of whiskey (whisky) has an indefinite shelf life, even after it has been opened. Some say bottles should be finished within one to two years, while others say up to five years is alright, as long as you follow these recommendations: I feel classy with my Whiskey in a wicked bottle all decorated. The Matomo session cookie is used to track the visitor's page requests during the session. The 375ml and 500ml EZ-cap amber-glass bottles have helped a few of my scotches last well over a couple years after initial opening (and still tasting fresh). Just make sure it isn’t a lead crystal decanter. For wine, that means only a few days, but vodka, brandy, and other spirits could last for years. High on my list of candidates for a FAQ at The Whiskey Reviewer is whether or not a bottle of whiskey can spoil, and if so how long it takes to do so.This question also appears regularly on whiskey … Please consult the guides and rules before posting, Press J to jump to the feed. Whiskey has no innate tannins, and only gets a scant offering from the barrel in which it ages. Yes and no. As for letting the wine breathe, it releases some of the wine's aromas, which have been trapped in a bottle for … Yes, they’re sparklier, but the cost of that sparkle could be lead leaching into your whiskey (it’ll take a while, but it happens), and that, most definitely, will change things. If you’re using a decanter with an airtight seal, the spirits inside will last just as long as they would in the original glass alcohol container. Very insightful information. it tasted great. Decanting your whiskey can also improve its perceived value. The amount of time that an opened bottle of whiskey will last can vary based upon the air to whiskey ratio in the bottle. Depending on how you store opened whiskey, they can last you a few years to a couple of months. The change in flavor between the bourbon in a decanter … Its alcohol. What is the purpose of a whiskey decanter? More importantly, if you’re looking for a way to store whiskey in your decanter for long, make sure it contains no lead. But if you'd like to use one go ahead. Wines may clock in between 11 and 15% (and higher, sure) but almost all whiskeys are bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV (higher if it’s “cask strength”). How long should Port rest in a decanter before you drink it? Like stemware, the ideal wine decanter should be made of smooth, thin, and clear glass. And while just how much exposure is really required is still debated, it’s universally accepted that decanting will change a wine, for better or ill. (Just imagine leaving your glass of Malbec unattended overnight and going back for a breakfast taste. I normally only put my high use (EDD) scotches in my decanter. Putting liquor in a decanter also provides a … So there is no amount of time you need to keep whiskey in a decanter for the simple reason that whiskey doesn't need to be in a decanter at all, it won't improve it at all. Most experts believe that a half-filled bottle of … Whiskey in a bottle that’s mostly air (since you’ve been enjoying it, you scoundrel) will oxidize, though much slower than wine. The square decanters have been used traditionally to serve whiskey (or whisky), brandy, or cognac. Is it actually a good choice for whiskey? Whisky stays in a carafe as long as in the bottle, 1 to 2 years. can you store whiskey in a decanter? Once whisky is removed from the wooden casks that it is aged in and bottled, the aging process stops. What’s the purpose, then? Alcohol also has … How long does liquor stay good in a decanter? Wouldn't use it as a storage method but all my everyday whiskey goes in them. One of the most popular whiskey decanter brands in the world. This allows you to observe the wine clearly in the vessel, which is a facet of learning to appreciate a wine's quality. Generally speaking, though, and backed up by none other than the Scotch Whisky Association (whom we just assume are not to be messed with), whiskey, once bottled, is a finished product. With such high alcohol content, the possibility for a dramatic chemical reaction from oxidation is much lower. Which is why there’s always a cap on a whiskey decanter—that big bulbous piece of glass our businessman sticks back in after pouring himself sadness Scotch. Also, try to get a non leaded decanter. Whiskey decanters, on the other hand, tend to be built for stability (often with a wide bottom) and just straight-up shiny impressiveness. People might wonder, does whiskey go bad? But whiskey decanters are purely for decoration, they look nice and people won't know if you are serving them low quality liquor (until they taste it) and they won't think you're showing off by serving expensive liquor from the bottle. So if you plan to drink that bourbon within a few months, pouring it into a decanter is perfectly fine. The last time anyone was in this home,1/2 full bottle. Make sure there is no lead in the carafe. Just make sure your decanter has a tight seal, and keep it in a cool, temperature-controlled area. But what if the whiskey is super expensive, or there is another reason you do not want to drink it? By decanting, you are pouring the wine into another container, the decanter, so that you may leave that sediment behind in the bottle. As long as the seal is intact (excluding oxygen), the whisky won't change, or will only change tiny amounts. decanters are only about looking cool, so decant what you think will be drank (maybe 3-4 oz a person) and pour anything left over back into the bottle and clean out your decanter. For me, it's mostly about appearance, so I'll definitely just only pour whiskey I plan to drink soon in the decanter. 4. Sort of like removing the label of your cigar before smoking with friends. If you think your whiskey might sit in the decanter for years at a time, then lead-free is probably the way to go. What Happens When You Store Whiskey In A Decanter | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/do-i-really-need-to-decant-my-whiskey/, wbs_cat Spirit, wbs_type Whiskey, decanter, whiskey, Insider Guide: How To Upgrade Your Gin And Tonic | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/how-to-upgrade-your-gin-and-tonic/. Most likely not too long. Well, you’re not alone. If yours does have lead in it, never keep whiskey in it for more than a few hours as the toxic lead will leach into the drink. If you’re still confused, just look at the decanter. How To Extend The Shelf Life Of Opened And Unopened Bottles Of Whiskey. And I don't use my whisky decanter anymore. Wine decanters are specifically designed to encourage interaction between liquid and air, always without a cap, and often elaborate (and seriously breakable) in design. And some drinkers are of the opinion that the first dram of whiskey tastes different than the rest of the bottle—but that might also be palate acclimation, since whiskey (any kind) doesn’t quite prance so much as slam dance onto your palate. Yes. Air isn’t a factor in whiskey decanters, because, within a reasonable time frame, it won’t make much difference. Like a tattoo nobody can see, it’s a choice you don’t have to make, but it also can’t do a ton of harm. How long can you keep whiskey in a decanter? Or at least, that was the thought back when decanters were the only acceptable way to serve spirits to your guests. Why do tannins matter? In general, it will state somewhere on the box roughly how long the wine can stay fresh. So there is no amount of time you need to keep whiskey in a decanter for the simple reason that whiskey doesn't need to be in a decanter at all, it won't improve it at all. I appreciate you sharing that. In this article, you will be able to learn more about whiskey and its properties. You can keep the whiskey in the decanter overnight. © 2014 - 2021 VinePair Inc. — Made In NYC, Next Round Live: What's Happening in the Drinks Industry Now, Decanting theoretically allows a wine to “open up”, This Glass Is The Best Way To Keep Your Bourbon Cool, and backed up by none other than the Scotch Whisky Association, something you’d definitely see on the giant mahogany desk of a Bond villain, Insider Guide: How To Upgrade Your Gin And Tonic, 101 Reasons To Pour Another Glass Of Wine, How Entrants Should Prepare for the 2021 National Homebrew Competition, Alex and Alison Sokol Blosser on the Evolution of the Family Winery. And even then, it takes a long while for them to spoil. ‘After that they tend to deteriorate very quickly.’ Wines made using a more natural approach can last up to a week in the fridge, said Guibert. I recommend drinking the last half of a bottle withing 3 to 4 months, just to be sure. Wine will only last a few days inside a decanter. Alcohol has a lower evaporation point (temperature) than water does. But if you'd like to use one go ahead. A bar cabinet or a package protect the whiskey from light. I've decided that I'm buying it purely for looks, and will definitely make sure to only put whisky I plan to drink soon into it. For wine, that means only a few days, but vodka, brandy, and other spirits could last for years. Yesterday – I poured a 2 oz shot of Segrams from a bottle that is from 1969. That may be pushing it a bit, as it's far fro ma general rule. Anything you've heard about whiskey needing to "breathe" or "open up" can be done in the glass. The answer is that it depends on the type of wine and the age of the wine, the amount of time that you will store the wine in a decanter ranges from 30 minutes to 3 hours. That means two things: sip your whiskey a whole lot slower, and don’t worry about pouring it into (or out of) a decanter. Whiskey does not go bad until you open them. If the decanter has a seal-able top (like a lid or glass cap), then about as long as it'll last in the bottle once it's been opened. The only difference is that you have to make sure the decanter isn't in too much light, as UV rays can mess up nice boozes (which … In that case, find yourself a smaller glass container with an airtight seal. However, can you keep whiskey in a decanter? Whisky doesn't age in the bottle, and doesn't react with the glass of the bottle. The decanter is made from lead-free material making it even safer for use. To stay on the safe side, you can decant your wine for 30 minutes and then serve it. A place where we discuss, review, and read articles about whiskey. There are a few different reasons to decant a wine. You know the scene: an important-seeming dude in a suit, or Jack Donaghy, pours himself a glass of whiskey from a crystal decanter, possibly staring out the window while contemplating a recent building-swap, or whatever business people do. Sure, he might not have made the right choices on the Nikkei that day. The cookie is automatically deleted at the end of each session (website visit), at the latest after one day. This is because there is a lack of oxygen inside the bottle, and oxygenation is the main cause of whisky aging. How long does port last in a decanter? This particular decanter can take up to a liter of whiskey at a time. Even opened, bourbon can taste pretty much the … Any style goes, including Bourbon, Scotch, Rye, Wheat, Canadian, Irish, White Dogs, and everything in between. Unlike wine, whiskey doesn't really benefit from being decanted. As long as your decanter has an airtight seal, the spirits inside can last a long time of at least 1-2 years. Ravenscroft Crystal Beveled Blade Decanter. However, since tiny amounts of liquid evaporate through the cork, the filling level will decrease over time. Ask Adam: Does Amaro or Vermouth Have to Be Refrigerated? This way you don't have to spoil any of the whisky. but i'll sum it all for you: it's not meant to sit long, as the glass "seal" is not a good one. How Long Can You Keep Whiskey In A Decanter? there's tons of info if you use the search function in to find some old threads. Choose a wine decanter that can show off the wine well. Only, you cannot assure that it would be of the same quality as the newly opened bottle. ‘Conventional wines generally last a couple of days open maximum, ’ said Christelle Guibert, Decanter’s tasting director. The quality of the whisky is not affected in the carafe if you pay attention to the following 3 points: Make sure the carafe is big enough for the whole bottle. Transfer your whiskey to a decanter, if you wish. Crystal and glass, like any other artisanal processes, produce good and not so good results, and depending on who made your decanter and how much you paid for it, you can absolutely find some that are well made and perfectly airtight when sealed. A crystal clear whiskey decanter that can take up to 0.7 liters of whiskey. The first way is to drink your whiskey quickly after the bottle is over 50% empty. Bourbon is so high in alcohol that it's even more stable than whiskey or scotch (the alcohols to which it is most frequently compared). However, decanting your whiskey also won't harm it, and a decanter makes an attractive and flashy serving container. Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Ports are left in barrels for 4-6 years and sometimes filtered before bottling. Some producers say wines can last for up to six weeks after opening. Bought one myself because it looked rad then people thought I needed more. Not that whiskey can’t change at all over time, especially if it’s been exposed to sunlight (since that’ll goose any chemical reactions that might happen) or temperature fluctuations (which may cloud the whiskey, but don’t freak out, that’s fine). Research showed that lead takes at least 24 hours before it leaches into the 50/50 vinegar-water found in the decanter. I prefer the look of the all glass decanters with no rubber seal. I have 3 decanters. Decanting wine serves a pretty specific, though still debated, function: removing sediment and encouraging oxidation. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. As long as you’re not planning on keeping that whiskey for a long time (in which case, you’d simply leave it in the bottle), decant or don’t, it’s up to you. Some people I drink with want to know exactly what I'm pouring them because they're enough into whiskey to want to know what they're forming an opinion on. —Hala, Fairfax Station, Va. Dear Hala, I wouldn’t recommend opening any bottle of wine until you're planning to consume it, even Port. Whiskey, having so few tannins, doesn’t have much chance for major evolutions in flavor, and that’s fine since a finished whiskey should taste how it tastes forever—or for as long as it lasts in your liquor cabinet. That makes sense. Decanters for wine have a functional purpose, they allow the wine to come into contact with air. Decades, possibly centuries. So their life after opening is somewhere in the middle - plan on 1-2 weeks to be safe, but some can last up to a month. alcohol does no t appear to denigrates over time all that much. Whiskey, on the other hand, really won’t change much with exposure to oxygen—at least, in terms of the exposure it’ll get from being poured into another container and/or the slightly less airtight seal of a whiskey decanter (vs. the bottle cap). Eventually, open bottles of whiskey will start to oxidize, losing some fragrance and flavor. Is it OK leave it in a covered decanter for months? That’s part of how you get ‘distilled’ spirits, by distilling the original liquid. Whiskey mustn't be exposed to direct sunlight, since the ultraviolet rays bleach out the colour pigments over time. Maybe there are some fumes from bbls, and oxidation, even light pollution. Anything you've heard about whiskey needing to "breathe" or "open up" can be done in the glass. That only goes so far though. My sister gave me an awesome old crystal decanter for Christmas, but I'm too scared to use it. Aesthetics. Generally speaking, though, and backed up by none other than the Scotch Whisky Association (whom we just assume are not to be messed with), whiskey, once bottled, is … Now, let's go back to the issue: how long should I leave my liquor in the crystal decanter. Avoid using colored or overly decorative decanters that obscure the wine's appearance. But what about that decanter? Unlike in wine, decanting has an actual function; in whiskey, it is mostly aesthetic. it's not meant to sit long, as the glass "seal" is not a good one. By Richard Thomas. It normally gets consumed in less than a month or so and it doesn't go bad in that time. For many reasons, it’ll be a confusing morning.). This is not an issue for whisky. “If you keep a 12 year old bottle for 100 years, it will always remain a 12 year old whisky.”  The reasons whiskey remains basically the same while wine changes have to do with a couple factors: tannins and alcohol content. If you have an inferior whiskey … New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Hi and welcome to r/whiskey! Scotch, bourbon, and whiskey can last for years in a decanter; however, if you don’t have airtight sealing, it could go stale easily. Whisky does not expire. That means if you have a fifth of a bottle left and it sits in the pantry for two years, it probably won’t taste anywhere near it used to. With many countries under lockdown due to the outbreak of Covid-19, bag-in-box wine could be a good way of stocking up. Though decanters did begin practically—historically it was how you got your whiskey from the barrel—these days they’re almost entirely about looks, which can range from the broad-shouldered, wide-bottomed classic to something you’d definitely see on the giant mahogany desk of a Bond villain. Wine has a lot more tannin content than whiskey (naturally occurring in the grape, borrowed from the barrel, etc.). Yes. Especially if you plan on drinking that whiskey anytime soon. Hey guys, I'm looking to purchase a decanter, but am curious as to how long whiskey should be held in a decanter and if the flavor or quality of the whiskey changes as opposed to being kept in the bottle? Decanting theoretically allows a wine to “open up” through exposure to oxygen. If yours does have lead in it, never keep whiskey in it for more than a few hours as the toxic lead will leach into the drink. However, that seal still does a pretty good job of keeping the oxygen from getting inside the decanter.