We have several large bottles of alcohol-vodka, tequila, rum, whiskey, etc... Some have been opened but closed up, and others are still sealed-what is the shelf life? Do they go bad? We have had them all for about 5-6 years.
2007-09-27 19:24:02 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
There are two types of alcohols in this world. I call them live and distilled. Live alcohols are those that still have active yeast in them, such as wine or beer. If opened, these alcohols must be kept cold. These alcohols also have a shelf life. Beer's life is much shorter then wine. Wine will eventually get so bad that you can't drink it. (I've been told that it will eventually turn into vintager, but I haven't confirmed this.
What you listed are distilled alcohols. These have been distilled, and can't go bad. If exposed to heat or light the flavor will change, but it won't kill you to drink a 20 year old bottle of vodka. It will just taste different then a "good" bottle.
Speaking of which, some alcohols will change, others won't. Live alcohols will change in flavor over time. Depending on how much time, it could be good or bad. (letting a bottle of wine age for 10-15 years won't be bad, but letting it go 100years will.) Distilled alcohols don't change in flavor over time, there is no active ingredient's in there to change the taste. Letting a bottle of 12year old scotch sit for 5 years won't get you a 17 year old bottle of scotch. What you have is a 5 year old bottle of 12 year old scotch. The 12 years old means how long it spent in the wooden barrel aging. Once its been distilled and bottled, the alcohol content won't change. (and as long as it stays sealed. If opened, the alcohol will evaporate into the air.)
2007-09-27 20:18:14 · answer #1 · answered by nerdist_nerd 5 · 11⤊ 1⤋
How Long Does Alcohol Last
2016-09-28 13:14:20 · answer #2 · answered by buckleyjr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard Spirits won't spoil like Wine does (for example) once opened.
You can keep spirits open (but sealed with cap of course) for a long period of time. Even longer in the freezer where 80 proof stuff will NOT freeze. Saves the ice and the dilution of your drink of choice.
2007-09-27 22:32:22 · answer #3 · answered by 8020rule 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
spirits never spoil, they get better with age, like women, nah seriously, most good spirits have been aged before they reach the liquor store, for example Jack Daniel's has been in barrels distilling for seven years, so if your stash is 5-6 years older, you are laughing.
gee wiz, I am soo getting my bottle out now, CHEERS!
2007-09-27 20:39:05 · answer #4 · answered by Sean'o 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
alcohol never spoils
but sugary alcohols can get nasty after a while.....many years.
2007-09-27 19:43:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they may not taste good, but it won't spoil...
alcohol is a preservative.
2007-09-28 07:34:56 · answer #6 · answered by sirbobby98121 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Alcohol (as in hard liquor) does not go bad - they might evaporate, but they don't turn the way wine turns to vinegar or beer gets flat.
2007-09-28 04:27:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I worked in the industry and can tell you first hand that the spirit in the bottle will be as drinkable as the day you bought it. The only change that will occur is evaporation, if the bottle has been opened or lyophilization (crystals form) from radical temperature change, which is harmless. Shake the bottle and they go away. So you see, alcohol can last literally forever.
2007-09-28 01:23:32 · answer #8 · answered by liorio1 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
1-2 days for red wine; and 3-4 days for white wine in the frig.
2007-09-27 20:44:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hard liquor has a shelf life of longer than you'll live.Alcohol itself is a preservative.
2007-09-28 02:50:27 · answer #10 · answered by ken G 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
keep them sealed tight
cool and dark
out of direct sunlight
They'll be fine.
2007-09-27 19:34:07 · answer #11 · answered by Larry J 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋