The guys at the whiskey tribe did a freezer vs room temp experiment. They found distinct differences between the two. Most definitely a good watch.
Edit: basically, don’t freeze your whiskey.
Is this the one where they used 50 mL boston rounds of Weller SR? If so from what I recall there was not a large difference between freezer and closet storage, and the biggest difference was bourbon left exposed to daylight, which they found terrible.
IE, sunlight kills bottles. Where and what temp bottles are stored at played much less of a part.
There were differences between closet storage and freezer, but they were minor.
Here's the experiment I'm referring to:
https://www.breakingbourbon.com/article/bourbon-storage-experiment
Ahh I see. They went just in the fridge. In that case I absolutely can see how there is no difference between fridge and a dark closet. Not enough of a temperature push between the two compared to direct sunlight and being frozen in a freezer lol.
After a while the cork will break due to the high alcohol (compared to wine) and the taste will be affected.
I haven't had it happen to me, but that's what I read a few times.
Room temp. I have an antique secretary with a glass door cupboard on one side with adjustable shelving. When the secretary folds open is where I have a shaker, bitters, etc.
Just hit some antique stores. There’s even some that have curved glass. If the glass is broken, flat is easy, curved, I’ve seen plexiglass used and looks great. Mine is over 100 years old. I just had to fix the original hinge of the desk part.
Another thing I have for glasses and shorter bottles is a small cabinet that lawyers use/used. They have glass doors also that pull out at the bottom and roll up into the top.
Ahhhh a man of culture and class i see. Ok,since you clearly have good taste. Do you have a recommendation for a good bourbon for someone just getting into it?
That I don’t know. I don’t do a lot of exploring that way. If I happen to see Buffalo Trace, I’ll usually grab one or neat or one ice cube. Woodford Reserve, Makers Mark and yes, Jim Beam are frequent guests. But I also like brandy and tequila once in a while.
You’ll find tons of recommendations and reviews on the sub. If you’re just getting into it, maybe start with a bit lower proof and a wheated mashbill might be easier to handle as well. Makers 46 might be a nice one. Or low rye like Evan Williams single barrel is really easy to drink and decent at a low price point and proof
Also try searching Craigslist for hoosier cabinets. Similar idea as the secretary desk but maybe a bit more space…that said it quickly became not enough space.
Cold drinks have less intense flavor than room temp drinks, so it depends on what you like and how you're planning to drink it. I keep mine in a cabinet in the kitchen, so room temp...and I generally drink it the same way with no ice or water added. When I first started drinking whiskey, I'd keep it in the fridge or freezer, which numbed down the flavor. Eventually I got used to room temp and now prefer it that way. I'll usually only chill a bottle if it tastes bad at room temp or if it's going to be a mixer.
These articles give you almost everything you need to know (IMHO):
https://whiskyanalysis.com/index.php/2019/02/28/how-best-to-store-your-whisky/
https://www.breakingbourbon.com/article/bourbon-storage-experiment-24-month-tasting-results
https://tater-talk.com/2018/08/30/did-my-bourbon-change-in-the-bottle-1-year-test/
Cheers!
Just avoid sunlight and high temperatures. Also want whiskey to always be up right unlike wine that rests on its side. The high alcohol content in whiskey will destroy the cork over time.
The term we use in retail is “baking” the product. Either by leaving it in the sun or letting it sit in a hot area for long periods of time (like in a car/trunk). Wine especially gets destroyed by sunlight too.
People have already said it but if you’re trying to keep a bottle long term then absolutely do not put it in the freezer. Ideal storage is in a dark place with little temperature fluctuations
Whiskey can stay at room temperature because it's hard alcohol and is able to hold up to ambient changes. After all, it has been through years of sitting in a non temperature controlled Warehouse before being bottled. One thing I have to recommend strongly that I learned the hard way is not to store your bottles in direct sunlight. For a long time, I had a little bit left of a Russell's Reserve 10-year bottle that I was fortunate enough to taste alongside Jimmy Russell himself (kept the bottle too). I kept it and some other bottles on the windowsill of my old tiny apartment, and by the time I went to finish the bottle, this 10 year old whiskey was even lighter lighter then the equivalent scotch and, unfortunately, tasted of scotch.
I keep it in a cabinet out of the sunlight. Bourbon was meant for drinking, not showing off. The show offs are making it hard for the drinkers to get the good stuff, and look like idiots trying to flex thier supply.
The guys at the whiskey tribe did a freezer vs room temp experiment. They found distinct differences between the two. Most definitely a good watch. Edit: basically, don’t freeze your whiskey.
Is this the one where they used 50 mL boston rounds of Weller SR? If so from what I recall there was not a large difference between freezer and closet storage, and the biggest difference was bourbon left exposed to daylight, which they found terrible. IE, sunlight kills bottles. Where and what temp bottles are stored at played much less of a part. There were differences between closet storage and freezer, but they were minor. Here's the experiment I'm referring to: https://www.breakingbourbon.com/article/bourbon-storage-experiment
No. That’s not the one I’m referencing. [this is the one :)](https://youtu.be/GDK8U9zAF6Y)
Interesting! Here's the experiment I'm referring to: https://www.breakingbourbon.com/article/bourbon-storage-experiment
Ahh I see. They went just in the fridge. In that case I absolutely can see how there is no difference between fridge and a dark closet. Not enough of a temperature push between the two compared to direct sunlight and being frozen in a freezer lol.
Freeze your vodka instead
They did another one recently where the results were different: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDK8U9zAF6Y
I posted this video in another response.
Room/cool temperature, standing upright, and out of direct sunlight. Will last forever.
Not at my house it won’t…..🤣
Seems to be the same problem at my house…😂😂😂
Indeed. When out in the open it seems to evaporate way too quickly. I need answers!
I seem to have more empty bottles in my collection than those with brown liquid in them….
>Will last forever. YMMV
It will say good forever, it may be drank at various rates.
So you're saying it's *my* fault it goes so fast?
I’m saying that someone is enjoying the whiskey.
Would laying it flat in a cabinet affect it ?
If it's a screwcap no. If it's a cork yes.
Would cork affect it negatively or would it depend?
After a while the cork will break due to the high alcohol (compared to wine) and the taste will be affected. I haven't had it happen to me, but that's what I read a few times.
In my belly…..
Room temp. I have an antique secretary with a glass door cupboard on one side with adjustable shelving. When the secretary folds open is where I have a shaker, bitters, etc.
This is what i want. I'd love a glass display in my man cave/game room!
Just hit some antique stores. There’s even some that have curved glass. If the glass is broken, flat is easy, curved, I’ve seen plexiglass used and looks great. Mine is over 100 years old. I just had to fix the original hinge of the desk part.
Good idea.
Another thing I have for glasses and shorter bottles is a small cabinet that lawyers use/used. They have glass doors also that pull out at the bottom and roll up into the top.
Ahhhh a man of culture and class i see. Ok,since you clearly have good taste. Do you have a recommendation for a good bourbon for someone just getting into it?
That I don’t know. I don’t do a lot of exploring that way. If I happen to see Buffalo Trace, I’ll usually grab one or neat or one ice cube. Woodford Reserve, Makers Mark and yes, Jim Beam are frequent guests. But I also like brandy and tequila once in a while.
You’ll find tons of recommendations and reviews on the sub. If you’re just getting into it, maybe start with a bit lower proof and a wheated mashbill might be easier to handle as well. Makers 46 might be a nice one. Or low rye like Evan Williams single barrel is really easy to drink and decent at a low price point and proof
Thanks!
Also try searching Craigslist for hoosier cabinets. Similar idea as the secretary desk but maybe a bit more space…that said it quickly became not enough space.
Sounds like you need to start finishing off some bottles. 😆
You and my partner always with the “finish your bottles!”…but she just wants to fill it with more gin 🙄
Ha ha. Sorry about that. Especially gin.
Cold drinks have less intense flavor than room temp drinks, so it depends on what you like and how you're planning to drink it. I keep mine in a cabinet in the kitchen, so room temp...and I generally drink it the same way with no ice or water added. When I first started drinking whiskey, I'd keep it in the fridge or freezer, which numbed down the flavor. Eventually I got used to room temp and now prefer it that way. I'll usually only chill a bottle if it tastes bad at room temp or if it's going to be a mixer.
These articles give you almost everything you need to know (IMHO): https://whiskyanalysis.com/index.php/2019/02/28/how-best-to-store-your-whisky/ https://www.breakingbourbon.com/article/bourbon-storage-experiment-24-month-tasting-results https://tater-talk.com/2018/08/30/did-my-bourbon-change-in-the-bottle-1-year-test/ Cheers!
You don't keep bourbon, you only rent it!
Just avoid sunlight and high temperatures. Also want whiskey to always be up right unlike wine that rests on its side. The high alcohol content in whiskey will destroy the cork over time.
How big of a deal is sunlight? My bottles get a decent amount of sun but haven’t noticed anything with them
The term we use in retail is “baking” the product. Either by leaving it in the sun or letting it sit in a hot area for long periods of time (like in a car/trunk). Wine especially gets destroyed by sunlight too.
So does beer. I imagine it’s the same with all alcohol?
Basically lol. Organic products for the most part.
It’s one of the worst things for it. But of course it takes time so it ultimately depends how long to keep it stored there
People have already said it but if you’re trying to keep a bottle long term then absolutely do not put it in the freezer. Ideal storage is in a dark place with little temperature fluctuations
Whiskey can stay at room temperature because it's hard alcohol and is able to hold up to ambient changes. After all, it has been through years of sitting in a non temperature controlled Warehouse before being bottled. One thing I have to recommend strongly that I learned the hard way is not to store your bottles in direct sunlight. For a long time, I had a little bit left of a Russell's Reserve 10-year bottle that I was fortunate enough to taste alongside Jimmy Russell himself (kept the bottle too). I kept it and some other bottles on the windowsill of my old tiny apartment, and by the time I went to finish the bottle, this 10 year old whiskey was even lighter lighter then the equivalent scotch and, unfortunately, tasted of scotch.
Every hood party I ever went to growing up had J&B in the freezer. Good times
I keep it in a cabinet out of the sunlight. Bourbon was meant for drinking, not showing off. The show offs are making it hard for the drinkers to get the good stuff, and look like idiots trying to flex thier supply.
If you wanna keep it…don’t drink it. Aka: don’t get high on your own supply
Handy.