Have heard from my cronies that scotch doesn’t go bad. If you have a cellar, it’s the obvious place to store your whiskies. It probably would have been good to know whether that bottle had been opened in the last year. Whiskey is stored upright. No way to really know. How to tell if a bottles has gone bad? But, not to worry if you don’t. How To Tell If Whiskey Is Bad. Here is your key to making sure that your favorite booze hasn't gone bad. Wine Alex Frank. While spirits have a very long shelf life and go bad very rarely, some liqueurs have a pretty should shelf life (like 6 months to a year) and actually go bad after that period of time. Today I had to taste it. So, for scotch that is 40 percent alcohol by volume, Campbell suggests 50/50 water/scotch, more than many would probably prefer, though, of … I was give an opened bottle of an eight year aged Ambassador Deluxe Scotch. But life happens, so if the bottle is leaky, the cork heavily damaged or moldy, just discard the alcohol.Same thing if it has developed an odd or funny smell.Please note that chances of either one of these happening are slim to none. 2/3 full. The bottle is probably from the 60’s or 70’s. How to tell if schnapps has gone bad? I prefer to have my good Scotches at home or at a bar which has an extensive scotch selection and tasting night. Now, I’d never thought about the possibility that good whisky could go bad. If it’s bad, you’ll know. How to tell if bourbon has gone bad? He stores all of his stuff in the bar which is in the same room as a fire place that he uses to heat the whole house in the winter. I can't drink it neat, but it isn't bad mixed with water. The shelf life of bourbon is indefinite, but if bourbon develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded for quality purposes. With that said, I have heard of some super expensive, fancy wines that have been aging for longer than I have been alive. I’d always just figured I could crack open a nice Scotch, enjoy a few drams, and then squirrel the rest away for later. Plenty of Scotch enthusiasts have gotten on just fine without one. The bottles must be stored upright, since the cork doesn't close as tightly as a wine cork. When I am at an event in a hotel conference room and order a scotch from one of those mobile bars I am not looking for a Scotch experience just a social drink no attitude required. I was given a very old looking bottle of Laphroaig 10 Year Old whiskey. Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here. As I mentioned already a few times, whiskey doesn’t really go bad. The only thing to do with spoiled liquor is to discard it. Today's Tips. Whiskey corks are designed for multiple uses, whereas wine corks are disposable. As a college student, most of my wine comes in a box, is super cheap, and is emptied quick enough that expiration dates are irrelevant. 1) Cellars tend to maintain a room temperature of 15-18°c – the optimal temperature for your Scotch. Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here. Whiskey only matures in the cask when it has contact to the oak wood. Today's Tips. I opened it just now - the cork was mush, and it tastes very sharp and almost fizzy. I would have expected it to be smooth and mellow. ‘The bottle has obviously been open too long,’ they said. I've never had it before, so I don't know what it is supposed to taste like. 2) Cellars are dark, with only a minimum amount of sunlight and heat. Bailey’s and other cream-based liqueurs should be … 86 proof 4/5 of a pint flask shaped bottle. It has been sitting for a couple of years in my house. In contrast to wine, however, whiskey in unopened bottles doesn't become better (or worse) during storage. Summary As you should know by now, liquors in general can go bad. I just started drinking scotch and my father in law was nice enough to to give me a unopened bottle of isle of jura that he had probobly had forever. The shelf life of schnapps is indefinite, but if schnapps develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded for quality purposes.