Storing and Serving Scotch - Scotch Hunter (2024)

FAQs

Should scotch be refrigerated? ›

Whisky is best kept stored in a cool, dark place such as a cupboard, drinks cabinet, or wine cellar, if you have one. You could also keep your whisky in the fridge if you have enough space, however, this isn't a particularly feasible option if you have a vast collection.

Scotch is best served at room temperature

Add water, if desired, little by little to your taste. If you do prefer cold scotch however, fill your glass with ice rather than adding one or two cubes. More ice will keep your scotch chilled, without diluting it too much.

Safely stowed, a bottle of The Glenlivet can be enjoyed months, or even years, after opening. As a general rule a cool, odour-free environment of medium humidity is best to ensure your favourite whiskies are kept in tip-top condition.

STORE YOUR WHISKY AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Fluctuations in temperature are not ideal for the whisky; it should be stored at room temperature between 15 and 18 degrees celsius.

Whiskey is meant to be enjoyed over time, but once you open a bottle, the clock starts ticking. Most scientists believe that if your bottle is at least half full, it can last one to two years, but if it's almost empty, with a quarter or less whiskey left, it'll expire in about six months.

There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to ice. “Yes, you can put ice in single malt scotch. Put one or two cubes in your whisky, it will chill it slightly, melt into water, and then help release all these wonderful aromas and flavors.”

The idea is the liquid goes directly from the bottle into your glass without interruption. Just pour a couple of ounces into that tulip glass or whiskey snifter. In between lingering, slow sips, so you can really appreciate the Scotch's intricacies, you should neutralize your palate with sips of cool water.

Choosing your whiskey serving style is like picking your life partner – it's all about personal taste. If you're a fan of living life on the edge, go ahead and drink it neat. But if you prefer to take things slow and steady, whiskey on the rocks is your soulmate.

Whether a three-year-old expression spends a year or 30 years on a shelf without being opened, it is still a three-year-old whisky. This is because the taste profile of a whisky shouldn't change if it remains unopened. A whisky draws its flavour from the wood that it matures in.

Can you drink 100 year old Scotch? ›

Post bottling, whisky does continue to change and evolve on it's own over time, especially if it's opened and exposed to oxygen, or different storage conditions such as temperature, but is generally safe for consumption, even after 100years!

Over time, the flavour profile of the whisky – so carefully curated by the distillery – will start to change and deteriorate. The overall alcohol content will alter, and the colour may also begin to fade. Whisky doesn't expire and it won't necessarily taste bad, but it will taste very different.

Whisky is at its optimum taste at room temperature, so between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius (60-65 °F). This goes for Scotch, Irish, Japanese Whisky, and Bourbon.

The reason that whisky does not freeze when placed in the freezer is that it has a lower freezing point than the recommended temperature in most refrigerators. To this end, it cannot freeze in a standard freezer. But exposing it to icy cold temperatures will impact the liquid. It will end up dulling its flavours.

DRINKING WHISKY NEAT

As noted, whisky was originally intended to be consumed at room temperature, and by not adding ice you can maintain control over the temperature of your drink, and guarantees that no dilution will impede your enjoyment.

There is no reason to store malts at low temperatures, and every reason to avoid chilling them or adding ice. Cold numbs the tongue and represses the aroma. Ice also brings about changes in the malt. Whisky most fully expresses itself if it is stored and served at room temperature.

Whisky lasts indefinitely. So even if you have an unopened bottle from the '70s, it can still be opened and consumed a decade from now. It may slightly change its taste over time, but it won't spoil. Some whisky houses put a “best by” on the bottle, but that's usually just for formality.

We've got news for you. If you're storing booze in your freezer, you're doing yourself a disservice. Technically, you can get away with it since the ethanol content in a bottle of liquor prevents it from freezing over in a household freezer, but just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it.

The reason that whisky does not freeze when placed in the freezer is that it has a lower freezing point than the recommended temperature in most refrigerators. To this end, it cannot freeze in a standard freezer. But exposing it to icy cold temperatures will impact the liquid. It will end up dulling its flavours.