Does Bourbon Expire? Only If You Screw This Up

TOP SHELF

DOES BOURBON GO BAD?

The shelf-life secrets nobody’s talking about (and why your grandpa’s dusty bottle might still slap).

Let’s settle this once and for all: No, bourbon doesn’t expire like a gallon of milk. But that doesn’t mean it’s immortal.

Whether you’re cracking open a brand-new bottle of Booker’s or eyeing that dusty Four Roses from the ‘70s, how you store it matters. Let’s break down the bourbon afterlife — from sealed bottles to sad decanters.

SEALED = SAFE (MOSTLY)

Got an unopened bottle chilling in your closet? You’re golden. Bourbon clocks in at 80 proof or higher, which means bacteria and spoilage don’t stand a chance.

And unlike wine, it doesn’t keep aging in the bottle. Once it’s out of the barrel, time hits pause—unless you mess things up.

The Rules:

• Store upright (no cork contact = no crumbling)

• Keep it cool (60–70°F is your sweet spot)

• Shield it from light (UV does nasty things to whiskey)

Want proof? Ask the dusty hunters. They’re sipping bourbon from years ago and bragging about it in private Facebook groups.

OPENED = TICKING CLOCK

Pop that cork and the game changes.

Bourbon doesn’t “spoil,” but it does degrade—slowly, sneakily, and with less mercy the more air it meets.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Nearly Full (80%+): Good for a few years. No rush.

• Half Full: Flavor starts shifting in 12–24 months.

• Quarter Tank: It’s on life support. You’ve got 3–6 months before the complexity fades into “meh.”

Blame oxygen. Same thing that browns your apple slices is slowly wrecking that sweet, oaky balance you paid $90 for.

PRO TIPS TO KEEP YOUR BOURBON FRESH

Want your pours to stay prime? Here’s your cheat code:

• Upright always — Don’t soak that cork in booze.

• Hide from sunlight — UV nukes flavor compounds.

• Decant with caution — That crystal decanter might look baller, but most don’t seal tight. Transfer only what you’ll drink in a few months.

• Avoid empty space — Down to the last third? Pour it into a smaller bottle to cut down oxygen exposure.

• Stable temps only — No attic. No freezer. No car trunk in July.

Got a vintage decanter?

Some old ceramic ones used lead-based glazes. Don’t poison your pour — test it first.

TL;DR – THE FINAL POURDOWN

• Unopened bourbon = basically ageless.

• Opened bourbon = enjoy it in 1–2 years max.

• Less in the bottle = faster it dies.

• Storage = the difference between “damn” and “drain pour.”

Treat your bottles like the precious elixirs they are, and they’ll treat you right (even if you forget about them for a decade).