I have found liquors years after being first opened still enjoyable although probably different from their original taste. What is your experience in drinking liquors years after opening. I have read that wines with high alcohol content(port, brandy, liquor etc.) should not be left lying on their side as the alcohol will damage the cork. Comments?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
I really don't have very much experience drinking old bottles of spirits as I am not really a spirits drinker. The old bottles of Cognac or Armagnac I have experienced which had been aged in bottle (as opposed to barrel) for years were left standing up as far as I know, and they were sealed with a stopper cork (T-shaped). Many spirits utilize screw caps or other types of closures. I would not include true Port in this category since it is a fortified wine at considerably lower alcoholic strength (20% abv). It is true that, even with wine, corks will deteriorate after years in the bottle, one reason some old vintages are recorked at iconic wine properties. Wines are always stored on their side to keep the corks moist and securely seated in the neck of the bottle, as they will dry out in time and allow the wine to oxidize if the bottle is vertical. Liquid loss is also possible with particularly old bottles of spirits, but without negative consequences. I've tasted an old bottle of Chartreuse Liqueur or two, and they were smoother and slightly more subtle than usual.
