The Right Way to Store Whiskey at Home

A good bottle can lose a lot of its quality to bad storage, and the fix is usually simple.

Stand it up

Never store whiskey on its side like wine. The high alcohol content will degrade a cork over time if it sits in constant contact, and a damaged cork leads to a bad seal.

Keep the temperature steady

Somewhere around 59 to 68 degrees is ideal, with as little fluctuation as possible. Heat can stress the seal and speed up evaporation. Cold can cause temporary cloudiness that clears once the bottle warms back up.

Avoid direct light

Sunlight fades color and can affect flavor over time. A closed cabinet works better than a sunny display shelf, even if the display looks nicer.

Don't ignore humidity

Too dry, and a cork can crack. Too humid, above roughly 70%, and mold can grow on the label or cork. Normal indoor humidity is usually fine without any special equipment.

Ask us next time you're in if you have questions about storing something specific, especially a bottle you're planning to hold onto for a while.