Is 20 Year Old Whiskey Good?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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There are many who prefer the younger Pappy expressions, particularly the 15, as they find the older bottle a bit too oaky. But the

20 is a tasty whiskey

, just pushing up against the boundaries of bitterness.

Can you keep whiskey for 20 years?

No matter how you store your whiskey, the ABV will remain the same – so if you

purchase a 40% ABV bottle of whiskey

, even after it has been improperly stored, it will remain 40% for potentially 20 years. The flavour, however, will be totally ruined.

Can I drink a 20 year old whiskey?

If you have a bottle of whiskey that was opened a few years ago and it was kept sealed in the pantry for this time, the alcohol will be fine. It might not taste the best (especially if the bottle is half empty), but

it will be safe to consume

.

Can you get sick from drinking old whiskey?


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.

How long can you age whiskey?

Opened whiskey has a shelf life of

between six months and two years

. What happens in the bottle during that time? First alcohol evaporates and the taste of the whiskey becomes smoother.

Can you keep whiskey for years?

How do you make sure their contents still taste good, even after being stored for 5 or 10 years … or maybe even longer? Let’s start with the good news: whiskey can be kept for a very long time. … That’s hard to say, but

whiskey bottles should safely last a lifetime

. That is, if stored properly.

Does whiskey ever expire?


Unopened whiskey doesn’t go bad

. Whiskey that hasn’t been opened lasts indefinitely. … Most whiskey scientists believe that an opened bottle of whiskey lasts about 1 to 2 years—if it’s half full. Whiskey expires about 6 months if it’s a quarter or less full.

Does unopened whiskey get better with age?

Unlike wine,

an unopened bottle of whiskey does not get better the longer it sits on your shelf

. It can sit there for years, even decades, as long as it’s stored in the right environment, particularly the right temperature (room temperature, around 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit).

How can you tell if whiskey has gone bad?

If an old whiskey looks or smells bad,

discard it immediately

. If it looks and smells fine, taste a small amount to determine if it is safe to drink. If it has a milder taste than usual, that is fine. But if it has a sour, metallic, or other strange taste, discard it.

How long does an unopened bottle of whiskey last?

If sealed correctly, scotch whiskey has a shelf life between 6 months to 2 years, whereas an opened bottle of wine can only last for a few days. Proper storage of unopened whiskey gives it a shelf life of

about 10 years

.

Does whiskey age your skin?


Alcohol can dehydrate

, inflame, and over time, even age & wrinkle your skin, while depriving it of its essential nutrients in the process.

Is it OK to drink 40 year old whiskey?

As you should know by now, whiskey can go bad, but that only happens in some contaminants find their way into the bottle and the alcohol will be exposed to air for a long period of time. … It might not taste the best (especially if the bottle is half empty), but

it will be safe to consume.

Can you age whiskey for too long?



It is possible for a spirit to get too old

. … There’s a lot of debate about optimal aging times—particularly for whiskey—and the ranges vary further still depending on how the spirit is made. But here’s a good rule of thumb: If it was aged in a barrel, those extra years might mean extra flavor.

How do you store whiskey for years?

Store it in a cool, dark area, such as

a wine cellar, pantry, cabinet

, or box. A mostly-full, opened bottle of whiskey should stay good for about a year if kept away from heat and light.

Does whiskey change after opening?

Once a whiskey is opened,

exposure to light, air, and temperature fluctuations start to change its flavor

. Initially, that can be a good thing. … Eventually, open bottles of whiskey will start to oxidize, losing some fragrance and flavor.

Is 12 year old whiskey really 12 years old?

Age statements can also be reductive. Many of the bottles labeled 12 years old could contain a blend of whiskeys aged from 12 to sometimes

15-16 years

of age or more, depending on the brand.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.