How To Store Bourbon For The Long Term

Whether received as a gift or bought as a treat for yourself, a quality bottle of bourbon isn't something you want to go to waste. It is common knowledge that whiskeys bloom as they mature (even whiskeys with no-age statements), but this only occurs during barrel-aging. Once bottled, the amber liquor has reached its peak drinkability. The question is, what is the best way to store it so it stays that way?

To understand the best way to stash bourbon for the long haul, we sought the advice of an expert in the field. Chris Blatner is an executive bourbon steward and founder of Urban Bourbonist, LLC. He is also the executive director of Bourbon Charity. Blatner notes that the climate where the spirit is kept can influence its purity: "Bourbon should always be stored upright with the cork/cap tightly in place and out of direct sunlight. The area where it is stored should also be room temperature or cooler."

Properly stored, a bottle of bourbon will retain its quality for as long as you have it. However, sunlight and higher temperatures can break down the flavors and might turn the liquor cloudy. You can put it in a refrigerator, but it doesn't need to be that cold. The cooler temperature of the fridge may make it smoother, but this is merely a personal preference, like choosing to sip whiskey neat or with ice. 

A cellar is an ideal place to keep bourbon long-term, but it needn't be stored like a fine wine. In fact, it needs to be managed quite differently. When you store a bottle of red wine, it's best to keep it horizontal so the cork stays saturated. Bourbon, on the other hand, can lose its luster if it gets to know the cork too well. According to Blatner, "Bourbon should not be stored with the whiskey in contact with the cork like wine is stored. The high alcohol content of bourbon can deteriorate the cork and lead to over-oxidation of the whiskey and could produce off flavors."

Once opened, a bottle of bourbon will also start to oxidize, a process that affects the subtle and complex flavors of the spirit. In other words, if the structural integrity of the cork is compromised, you may as well have opened the bottle and let it sit out in the open air. The color can begin to fade and the oaky aroma might dissipate over time. But, when left upright under ideal climate conditions, your prized brown liquor should retain the same high level of quality as the day you purchased it.