How Do You Tell If Bourbon Has Gone Bad?

Dull Taste Bourbon has a distinct sweetness due to the high percentage of corn on its mash bill. It also has a biting kick towards the finish that is not present once the bourbon has gone bad. Storing bourbon under certain conditions will change its flavor, eventually resulting in a duller taste.

How do you know if bourbon has gone bad?

Bourbon, just like other types of whiskey, or distilled spirits as a whole, doesn’t spoil. The alcohol content makes the liquid safe from any microorganisms that could cause it to spoil. But if by any chance you noticed that your bourbon developed and off odor, or suddenly changed in taste, discard it.

How long does it take for bourbon to go bad?

Unopened, a bottle of bourbon won’t go bad. You can store it for decades. But once a bottle of bourbon is opened, it’s got roughly 1 to 2 years before it goes bad.

Can bourbon get too old?

Nope. Once bourbon is bottled, the aging process stops. You can have your bottle of bourbon on the shelf indefinitely, even if it’s open.

How can you tell if bourbon is good?

But if you’re looking for a “good” bourbon by expert standards, Zoeller advises paying attention to the following characteristics: “[The first is] is flavor, and [the second] is mouthfeel. I like it to have a lot of weight and viscosity on it so it kind of coats your tongue. Then, I look for an easy finish.”

Why does bourbon turn cloudy?

When too much alcohol evaporates from whiskey it goes bad and becomes a bitter brown cloudy sludge. If you drink too much it will probably make you sick and not drunk. That’s how you know if an old unopened bottle is no longer drinkable, if the fill level is low and the whiskey is cloudy.

Can old whiskey make you sick?

Expired alcohol doesn’t make you sick. If you drink liquor after it’s been open for more than a year, you generally only risk a duller taste. Flat beer typically tastes off and may upset your stomach, whereas spoiled wine usually tastes vinegary or nutty but isn’t harmful.

Should you refrigerate bourbon?

Store bourbon at room temperature Storing a bourbon bottle in a cool place is acceptable, but bourbon should not be refrigerated as it does not enhance the flavor. Many of the aromas of whiskey are lost when stored in a fridge.

What color should bourbon be?

Bourbon color is a dark, reddish brown color. Color is important when it comes to bourbon. The longer it is aged, the darker the color will be. This is because the oak barrels that bourbon is aged in leave behind dark-colored molecules called tannins.

What is floating in my bourbon?

Don’t panic, what you’re seeing is flavor! During the fermentation, distilling and oak maturation processes various phenols and esters are produced. These components make up a lot of the flavors we enjoy in whiskey. The large volume producers use chill filtering to remove the visible components.

Why did my whiskey turn black?

If left for a long time, say over a week, a metal flask will discolor the whiskey, turning it into a dark greyish color. If kept over 3 days, whiskey can start picking up a metallic taste. Flask quality, material, environmental factors, and tightness of seal can vastly affect the quality of the whiskey.

Can bacteria grow in whiskey?

They tested the bacteria against whiskey, vodka, different types of mixers and various environmental conditions. Bacteria continued to thrive in all of the samples except one: you guessed it, the whiskey. Whiskey was the only drink that completely eliminated all traces of the bacteria.

Can I drink 20 year old whiskey?

20 year old whisky is a fine thing; old enough to have picked up some real complexity and depth, and plentiful enough to be affordable. It’s the perfect sweet spot, particularly for independent bottlers who offer a fantastic selection at this age bracket.

Does ice ruin bourbon?

Because bourbon must go in new charred oak, ice tends to enhance the oak flavors to the point they’re over-oaked. But if you like oak, go for it. With Scotch, which doesn’t have the new charred oak edict, ice often complements older whiskeys, but I recommend water.

What is the best way to store bourbon?

The best way to store bourbon is to keep the bottle standing upright, unlike wine, which is stored on its side. You should store bottles upright to protect the cork. If the bourbon’s high alcohol content is in contact with the cork for an extended period, it will destroy it.

What’s the difference between bourbon and whiskey?

The main differences between bourbon and whiskey are the kind of grain used and where the spirit is produced. Bourbon is an American made whiskey that must contain at least 51 percent corn in its mash and be aged in new, charred-oak barrels.

Why does whiskey turn black?

If the seal isn’t tight enough and the flask gets warm, it can speed up the oxidation process of the whiskey. Also, both of these environmental factors cause the whiskey to expand and evaporate, making it weaker as well as changing its color and flavor.

What is whiskey fungus?

Baudoinia compniacensis, also known as Distillery Fungus, Whiskey Fungus, and Warehouse Staining Fungus, is a black fungus that is velvety or crust-like and can reach 1-2 cm in thickness. While it is black in color, this is not Stachybotrys, often referred to as black mold.

Can whiskey grow mold?

If you’ve ever been to a whisky distillery, you may have observed unusual discolouration throughout the distillery and surrounding areas. This discolouration is a sac fungus called baudoinia compniacensis, or, whisky fungus to the common tongue.

Why is whiskey the healthiest alcohol?

Whiskey contains fewer calories compared to other alcohols and has no carbohydrates or sugar. Its ellagic acid content may also reduce bodily inflammation and lower the risk of obesity. Research suggests that there are other health benefits to drinking whiskey.

How much is a 50 year old bottle of whiskey worth?

Only an infinitesimal number of special barrels have gone the distance of 50 years, and their rarity and longevity always command top dollar. Current offerings of 50 year old scotch, like Dalmore, can cost as much as $60,000 a bottle, making others, like Benromach, look like a veritable bargain at $14,500.