Over the years, we’ve been pretty heartbroken over our spoiled cans of beer and wine bottles. It hurt, not because of the spoilt booze, but because we used our own money (birthday cash) to buy it. Anyway, why wine over spoilt beer?
To help you lead a spoilt-free life, we will tell you about your beloved alcohol’s shelf life. Keep reading to find out what’s the shelf-life of your favorite alcohol.
Liquor
Liquor consists of your vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, tequila, and brandy. If sealed, (except for vodka) their shelf life is as long as Merlin’s beard. If opened, these spirits (except for whiskey) lose their taste and texture over time.
One should dispose off sealed vodka, gin and tequila in 2 years whereas an open bottle should be thrown out in a month’s time, taking India’s climate into account. An open bottle of whiskey, brandy and rum will last as long as a sealed bottle, which is close to 20 years.
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Wine
An open bottle of wine, whether red, white or rosé, should be disposed off after 3 days of uncorking. A sealed bottle of expensive wine will be great even after 60 years but a bottle of cheap wine will spoil after a few years.
If your wine has turned a darker shade and tastes like vinegar, throw it out ASAP.
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Beer
A sealed can or bottle of beer will last for 6 months to 2 years if refrigerated. The shelf life depends upon the alcohol content – the higher it is, the longer will the beer last.
An open beer can or bottle should be disposed off in a day or two as it goes flat very quickly. And no one likes a flat beer, isn’t it?
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Liqueur
Sugar content in the liqueur determines its shelf life. The higher it is, the lower is the shelf life. Any dairy-based sealed liqueurs spoil in a year. An open bottle will be good for 2-3 months. Other flavored liqueurs will be good for a longer time.
A sealed bottle will last for 1-2 years. An open bottle will be good for 9 months. See for any sugar crystallizing on the bottom, discoloration, or curdling to spot a spoilt bottle.
Summing Up
Nothing disappoints a true blue alcohol connoisseur (like us) like watching our favorite bottle of alcohol turn bad. Now that you too know about the shelf life of your favorite booze, its time to keep it in mind the next time you’re about to pop open a bottle.
FAQs
What Alcohol Has The Longest Shelf Life?
In terms of shelf-stability, distilled spirits , such as the base liquors (brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey) are the most long-lasting. These have an average of 40 percent alcohol by volume and typically do not contain added sugars. This makes them last longer than other alcoholic beverages and liquors.
Does 100% Alcohol Expire?
Yes. While unopened alcohol likely has an indefinite shelf life, opened alcohol certainly expires. It doesn’t expire the same way as milk, but it loses its taste, flavor, coloring, and potency over time.
What Is The Shelf Life Of Unopened Gin?
Unopened gin technically has an indefinite shelf life. If it is sealed and stored properly, it won’t undergo oxidation and won’t expire as such.
