The Correct Method for Storing Old Bottle Whisky

1. How should old bottle whisky be stored?

Old bottle whiskies that were bottled between 20 years and over half a century ago are often stored for long periods before being opened due to their rarity. Since the world of old bottles is a niche field that only a few dedicated enthusiasts delve into, there is very little information available, and obtaining reliable advice is not easy.

Current information regarding the storage of old whisky is divided into two main, conflicting perspectives:

① One should avoid letting the whisky touch the cork to prevent the cork from deteriorating.

: Whisky has a higher alcohol content than other spirits that use corks, such as wine, which causes corks to deteriorate more rapidly. Therefore, unlike wine, it is generally recommended to store whisky bottles upright for long-term storage. This logic is often applied to old bottles as well to prevent further deterioration of the cork.

② One should periodically turn the bottle upside down to wet the cork, even if it is unopened.

: While whisky is typically stored upright due to its high alcohol content, leaving a bottle upright for too long can cause the cork to become excessively dry and shrivel. If the cork shrinks, the airtight seal is compromised, potentially leading to leakage or oxidation due to evaporation. For this reason, some recommend occasionally wetting the cork of old whiskies.

2. So, which storage method is actually correct?

This is a bottle of Bell's Royal Reserve Scotch Whisky 20 Year Old that I purchased and stored. It was distributed in Japan during the 1980s. When I first acquired it, there were no visible external issues and the cork did not feel loose. I wrapped the unopened cap in Parafilm and stored it upright in a cool, dark place for about a year and a half.

However, when I finally decided to open it and peeled off the Parafilm, I realized something was wrong. The seal under the cap had deteriorated severely, leaving a white powdery residue. Expecting the cork to snap, I tried to pull it out, but it slid out effortlessly without any resistance. The image shows the condition of the cork at that time.

Thanks to the multiple, sturdy layers of Parafilm I had applied, the whisky itself had not deteriorated, but the cork was in such bad shape that it could no longer sustain long-term storage. I had mistakenly assumed that the moisture evaporating inside a sealed bottle would prevent the cork from drying out completely.

As this case demonstrates, storing old whiskies upright allows the cork to deteriorate through dehydration, eventually making it impossible to maintain an airtight seal. Therefore, I have concluded that for old bottle whiskies, it is best to turn the bottle upside down periodically (perhaps every 2 to 3 months) for about 10 seconds to thoroughly wet the cork.

3. Why do corks shrivel and shrink?

Consider a synthetic resin dishwashing sponge. The left image shows a brand-new sponge, while the right shows a sponge that has been wetted and then dried. When a sponge is wetted, the drying process causes the internal fibers to tighten and contract, reducing its overall volume.

A similar phenomenon occurs with whisky corks. A cork that has been saturated with whisky for a long time will contract and thin out as it dries while the bottle is stored upright.

On the other hand, if a cork has been wetted but is not repeatedly immersed in the liquid, it may not shrink significantly even if stored upright for a long time.

In conclusion, if you have an old bottle with minimal evaporation where the cork is presumed to be in good condition, storing it upright with minimal wetting is acceptable. However, for old whiskies showing a certain amount of evaporation, it is safer to assume the cork is in poor condition and wet it periodically to ensure long-term preservation. Storing old bottle whiskies can be a complex task, but it is important to manage them skillfully by checking the condition of each bottle regularly. I hope this information proves useful for your enjoyment of old whiskies.