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Corked whisky?

  • 01-06-2013 4:11pm
    #1
    ronnie3585
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,675 ✭✭✭


    While rooting in a press in my parents house last night I came across a bottle of Gordon's Highlander and a nice Robbie Dhu 12, both of which have probably been there for 10 if not 15 years. Success!

    I opened the Gordon's Highlander and let it breathe for about 30 mins. When I poured and smelled it I was immediately hit with a big pang of cork. I've smelt many corked bottles of wine and this was certainly along the same lines. While I could definitely taste that the whisky was off, it didn't seem to destroy it like it would a bottle of wine. In any event, I spilled it after a sip or two and broke out a lovely Ardbeg 10:)

    My question is, can whisky be corked, in the traditional sense, like a bottle of wine?

    Clearly, both whisky and wine use cork, but does the higher alcohol content of whisky stop or retard the growth of bacteria/fungus?

    I will be opening the Robbie Dhu tonight in the hope of more success.


Comments

  • #2
    jackbhoy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭jackbhoy


    It can happen but is much rarer than corked wine, in my experience anyway.

    I have only come across it once, when opening a new bottle at a whiskey bar. The effect on taste was very noticeable but it was definitely more drinkable than corked wine.

    The bar owner said she has only come across it a few times. She did say she sees degraded corks pretty often but that is down to people storing whiskey on its side (while in storage etc).


  • #3
    Colonel Sanders
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,669 ✭✭✭Colonel Sanders


    jackbhoy wrote: »
    that is down to people storing whiskey on its side (while in storage etc).

    Should whisk(e)y be stored standing up? Only ask as I bought my son a 2012 bottle to be presented to him on his 21st birthday & was told to store it lying down on its side


  • #4
    jackbhoy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭jackbhoy


    Colonel Sanders wrote: »
    Should whisk(e)y be stored standing up? Only ask as I bought my son a 2012 bottle to be presented to him on his 21st birthday & was told to store it lying down on its side

    I have always been told the opposite as having a cork soaking in high alcohol content spirit can break it down. And every good whiskey bar/shop I have been in has always stored them standing up.

    Cool idea as gift for your son btw! Think my dad had same idea for me but cracked the bottle before my christening :)


  • #5
    IrishWhiskeyCha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 682 ✭✭✭IrishWhiskeyCha


    As mentioned store standing up right as the high ABV probably may destroy the cork eventually. However it's a catch 22 situation as you do need to keep a cork somewhat moist to maintain the seal. However I have found that you can leave them standing for years on end in good storage conditions. I've been storing for over a decade now and the only issues I've had were from 2 Dumpy Connemara's which may have something to do with the bottle design more than anything else but I'm just guessing.


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