S – as in Storing whisky bottles

How to store whisky bottles correctly?

Many whisky enthusiasts ask themselves this question, and the answer is clear: The bottles should be stored upright, not lying down!

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Why should the whisky bottle be stored upright?

By law, whisky must contain at least 40% alcohol by volume (ethanol), and our whiskies usually have an alcohol content of at least 46% ABV. If a whisky bottle is stored lying down, there is a risk that the high alcohol content will attack the cork and release undesirable aromas into the whisky. In contrast, the alcohol content of wine, which is stored lying down in bottles, is too low (up to 14 or 15% ABV) to damage the cork during storage. Additionally, if stored horizontally, the alcohol can dissolve the adhesive that fixes the cork to the closure over time, also releasing negative aromas into the whisky.

Should the whisky bottle be protected from sunlight?

Absolutely! The high-energy UV radiation from sunlight damages the aroma and flavor compounds in whisky. This intense energy can cause chemical reactions with the molecules, leading to undesirable changes in aroma and taste. In addition, the molecules responsible for the color in whisky are affected by UV light, which can cause the brilliant color of the whisky in the bottle to fade over time.

How to protect the whisky bottle from sunlight?

The bottle should be stored in a dark place, shielded from direct sunlight, ideally even in its packaging – if available and opaque.

Does temperature play a role in storing whisky bottles?

Yes, the storage temperature for whisky bottles should ideally be cool, around 16 to 18 °C. It is even more advantageous if the whisky bottle is exposed to only minimal temperature fluctuations throughout the year.

Is humidity also a factor to consider?

Yes, especially for collectors, the humidity in the environment of their whisky bottles plays a crucial role. Too high humidity, often found in old cellars, can cause labels to detach from whisky bottles or even get damaged. The cardboard packaging of the bottle can also suffer. High humidity can thus diminish the value of a whisky collection.

How quickly should an opened bottle be emptied?

Literature often suggests guidelines of six months to a year within which an opened whisky bottle should be emptied to avoid potential quality loss. However, these figures are not based on scientific principles. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate from the outset how the taste of a whisky in an opened bottle will develop over time.

Does the quality of a whisky in an opened bottle always change for the worse?

No, that is not necessarily the case. It is known that due to the larger air volume in the bottle, aroma and flavor compounds can transfer from the liquid into the gas space through evaporation and escape from the bottle over time, as the cork stopper does not seal 100% airtight. However, it is difficult to predict whether only undesirable aromas will be affected and the good ones will be retained in the whisky. Personal experience shows that a whisky that initially had unpleasant sulfur aromas after opening the bottle loses them over time and thus "improves." In other whiskies, however, intense fruity aromas may diminish over time in an opened bottle, making the whisky appear less fruity. Furthermore, the oxidation of aroma and flavor compounds in whisky with atmospheric oxygen over a longer period can lead to changes in both directions – positive and negative. The individual perception is highly subjective, as each connoisseur perceives whisky differently.

How can you prevent an opened whisky bottle from remaining on the shelf for too long?

To prevent an opened whisky bottle from lingering on the shelf for too long, the following tip might be helpful: Invite some whisky friends over for a cozy evening, open a bottle together, explore the aromas and flavors, exchange philosophical thoughts about it, and by the end of the day, the bottle is empty – the "problem" is thus solved.