How to Store Distilled Alcohol Properly

At home bars are beloved, and one way to make sure our spirits taste their best is proper storage. No matter where your drinks reside–from behind a bar to shelf corner in your house to even deep within the freezer (we don’t judge!), all follow these same guidelines.

Light and temperature are two major influences on the flavor and quality of distilled alcohol, both causing oxidative reactions that degrade its color and aroma. Therefore, store your spirits away from direct sunlight in a dark environment at 68oF (20oC) or below.

Liquers and fortified wines contain lower alcohol percentages, which makes them more vulnerable to oxidation over time. Furthermore, these beverages contain volatile ingredients like sugars and aromatics which contribute to this oxidation process and have more severe consequences when stored improperly.

Experts advise storing liquor bottles upright to prevent corks or barrel wood from mixing with the liquid and altering its flavor. Furthermore, keeping smaller batch liquors or bulk containers in your fridge will slow the rate at which alcohol evaporates from its container.

Humidity can also pose a threat to spirits, and should be managed with care to maintain safe conditions for both labels, bottle caps and corks. If you live in an especially humid region, investing in a dehumidifier may help lower humidity and protect the spirits you own from spoilage.