semi dumb liquor question

[fastwin]

I have a farm in East Texas and naturally it has a liquor stash, as it should! I get down there every few weeks to mow, work and chill. No critters, just peace and quiet. Even the wife and kiddo rarely go. Usually just me, good cigars, my "lights out" margaritas on the rocks, cold beer and mooing cows in the distance. Very peaceful...

I digress. My question is there are several bottles of liquor in the cabinet that I don't drink. They are for guests but I haven't had any of those in years! What's the shelf life of bottled liquor? Opened and unopened. I'm talking rum, gin, vodka (can't remember the brands right now) and some Chivas. This stuff is at least 10 years old, maybe older. Is it still good or should I dump it? Again, some of the bottles may have been opened.

OK... right about now comes all the offers to take it off my hands!!

[ducpainter]

As long as things are capped I don't think it goes bad.

Would you like it if some of us stopped by to taste it?

[Popeye the Sailor]

Wait long enough and it can start to evaporate out of the bottle depending on the cork.

It's also probably still fine-I would drink it or give it away.

Dumping it out is not an option.


Keep in mind, it does not age in the bottle-ten year old scotch saved for 8 years is not 18 year old scotch.

[fastwin]

Right. My guess would be that it is OK since they are corked or screw topped. Was just curious if an expert was out there amongst us. Bartender, someone in the industry, etc. And yes, dumping would be a travesty. Was trying to avoid that sad option.

[zarn02]

Now once you open it, you need to go ahead and get it drunk before too long.

A college roommate had a half flask of Jack that lingered around for a year or so, forgotten. Metal-stored, oxidized whiskey tastes mighty funky.

[ducpainter]

Right. My guess would be that it is OK since they are corked or screw topped. Was just curious if an expert was out there amongst us. Bartender, someone in the industry, etc. And yes, dumping would be a travesty. Was trying to avoid that sad option.

I'm no expert...

I am a professional however.

Send me the vodka...I'll report back.

[fastwin]

Even though I posted this thread to get a real answer I knew I would be enjoying the "other" posts even more.

[Jobu]

Nah, spirits (bourbon/rye/scotch, rum, gin, vodka, tequila, and cognac/brandy) don't go bad.  Too much ethanol (which is a disinfectant).  They might evaporate a little and slightly change in percentage by volume of the chemicals in there, but overall, they will remain the same.

Liqueurs and fruit brandies will go bad because they have a lot of added sugars which will oxidize.  When I say go bad, I mean they change form and taste shittier, but they still won't kill you, but they will still make you sick.

So, bottoms up.

[Rameses]

I'm one of the experts amongst us you were talking about.

No shelf life on liquor, unopened or not.

Drink away.   

[ducatiz]

Keep the corks moist (just like wine) or air will enter and it will slowly evaporate.  Old bottles of whisky taste like SHIT unless they have been stored right.

[He Man]

worst that can happy is massive diarrhea and throwing up. all worth it if it is actually good alcohol.

[Howie]

DO NOT drink old, open bottles with milk content like Irish Mist

[fastwin]

Good stuff folks!! Thanks for the input. I was hoping for a happy ending to this.

I may just rotate the bottles to my buddy's ranch in west Texas. The guys all like to go there to escape city life, shoot guns, ride dirt bikes, cut endless acres of mesquite trees from which to endlessly grill with, drink heavily, smoke more cigars and generally practice the fine art of bullshit. Wider variety of drinkers in that crowd who would enjoy the spirits more than me.

[Oldfisti]

The only thing I might add is to store it in a cool, dark place. (I guess common sense dictates this)

[fastwin]

Nothing special, just in a kitchen cabinet. Never gets too hot or cold.