Cellaring Spirits

[polarbear]

Are there optimum storage conditions for spirits?

If so, what are they and what happens if they're not stored correctly?

I'm mainly thinking of Dark Spirits (scotch and rum) but I have a ton of gin too.

Just curious if I should be taking a closer look at my liquor pantry as I've got quite a bit of money stashed there

[tmc123]

Don't store them in wine racking on their sides, especially if they are corked. Apparently the alcohol content eats away at the cork over time. Otherwise just the usual cool, dry and dark area should suffice PB

[sengjc]

I store my whisky upright in shelves and the Cognac/Armagnac upright in the wine fridge (not that I think it needs the temperature/humidity control).

Generally, upright in a reasonably temperate place away from sunlight should suffice. If you have access to a purpose built cellar, even better but remember to store upright. The alcohol does attack the cork and will eventually break it down giving rise to oxidation and change the nature of the spirit.

For bottles that I intend to keep for long term, I will tightly seal the capsule and cork (or screwcap), with some plastic and tape - just added peace of mind to help prevent bottle evaporation and maintain the ullage.

I am not sure if the same applies to gin though, some spirits will deteriorate with time just from gradual anaerobic chemical reactions within the spirit itself. You may want to check up on this.

I am told even whisky and Cognac/Armagnac will eventually breakdown gradually after 100 years due to anaerobic chemical reactions. I won't know for sure as I don't have access to a 100 year old bottle of whisky nor have I lived a hundred years and maintain enough senility to still remember what a particular bottle tasted like a hundred years before.

[Ken Gargett]

Generally, upright in a reasonably temperate place away from sunlight should suffice. If you have access to a purpose built cellar, even better but remember to store upright. The alcohol does attack the cork and will eventually break it down giving rise to oxidation and change the nature of the spirit.

this is the catch 22. extreme alcohol can be a problem but if stored upright, the cork dries out and allows ingress of oxygen which is also potentially harmful.

main thing is in a cool, dark place.

[sengjc]

this is the catch 22. extreme alcohol can be a problem but if stored upright, the cork dries out and allows ingress of oxygen which is also potentially harmful.

main thing is in a cool, dark place.

You are right, that is why I additionally seal the capsule/cork tightly with plastic wrap and tape in hopes it will create another barrier to "lock-in the moisture" in hopes that it will help to keep the cork sealing integrity for the long term (think in terms of applying a wax seal without using wax).

[ChanceSchmerr]

You are right, that is why I additionally seal the capsule/cork tightly with plastic wrap and tape in hopes it will create another barrier to "lock-in the moisture" in hopes that it will help to keep the cork sealing integrity for the long term (think in terms of applying a wax seal without using wax).

This makes a lot of sense, and I think it's a method I will use going forward for my whiskies that I intend to store longer term. Thanks for the idea!

[polarbear]

Cool and dark I can do.

My walk in pantry is windowless and usually the coolest place in the house

[Ken Gargett]

Cool and dark I can do.

My walk in pantry is windowless and usually the coolest place in the house

unfortunately, these things are all relative and 'cool' in a darwin pantry is not really going to cut it for any form of long term storage.

not as bad for spirits as it is for wine but still far from ideal (yes, brizzy not much better).

consistency is also crucial.

[sengjc]

This makes a lot of sense, and I think it's a method I will use going forward for my whiskies that I intend to store longer term. Thanks for the idea!

Not really, I just realised I concatenated one too many points using the term: "in hopes of".

My apologies for such poor sentence structure - English is my second language after all.