The Whiskey Color And Cork Test To See If Your Bottle's Gone Bad

While there's no doubt that whiskey lasts a long time, it isn't some magical and immortal drink that stays the same forever. If you have a bottle sitting somewhere, it could have easily slipped past its prime without you realizing. There are a few ways to tell, with color being the most obvious place to start, but the cork, too, carries its own clues. Firstly, the color will give away more than you might expect. Generally, whiskey should look clear with a consistent tone, whether the whiskey itself is pale and golden or a deep copper. Any cloudiness is never a good sign. A hazy look might mean it wasn't stored correctly, perhaps exposed to high heat, a broken seal has led to some unwanted air finding its way in, or it was exposed to too much direct sunlight – all of which change the color and flavor profile.

Spotting an off-looking bottle comes pretty quickly once you get the hang of it. There are a few basic moves you can implement, such as holding the bottle up to a strong light which will make anything off in the liquid much easier to see. A clean, bright look inside usually means the alcohol is fine, but have another inspection when pouring out your glass of whiskey (also known as a dram). Doing your own research won't hurt either, especially if you're getting to know the best whiskey brands for beginners and building a sense of how different styles should appear. While color alone won't confirm every issue, it definitely provides a quick, practical first check.

The other place you should look is the cork, which can reveal more about a whiskey's condition than even the bottle itself. While opened whiskey has an ideal shelf life of six months to two years, an unopened bottle is a different story. Theoretically, whiskey does not go "bad" if stored correctly and if there are no issues with the cork, which should be firm and slightly springy. A brittle or swollen cork could be caused from incorrect storage or exposure to too much heat or light. The other issue, although less common with whiskey, is called "cork taint," which is when certain compounds cause a musty smell to transfer from the cork itself into the liquid. You'll discover that's an issue only once the cork comes out.

To inspect these issues, make sure the cork doesn't break apart as you open it and you aren't hit with an undeniable bad aroma — even just a tiny gap in the seal can shift a whiskey's character over time. And while there are differences between whiskey and whisky on the label, it's only really in spelling; all whiskey will react the same way to improper storage and a tired cork. So if the cork looks clean and steady, the whiskey is usually fine; but if it shows signs of damage or taint, it may be better to move onto another bottle.