How to Properly Store Your Whisky: Secrets to Preserving Your Bottle

Saturday, 04 October 2025 at 15:00

The weather has been delightfully warm these past few days, and as a whisky aficionado, you may be asking yourself: How should I properly store my whisky? Here are the best tips for maintaining the quality of your whiskies.

Whisky can be stored for several years, even once the bottle has been opened. However, the key to quality preservation is in the manner of storage.

In brief, here’s how to best store a bottle of whisky:

Store your whisky bottle upright
Keep the cork of the whisky bottle moist
Ensure the whisky bottle is kept at a constant temperature
Keep the whisky bottle away from UV light
Keep the bottle at least half-full

Store whisky bottles upright

The first tip we have for you is to always store your bottle standing upright. Whisky is a high-alcohol spirit, and the alcohol within the bottle can substantially affect the cork that typically seals the bottle.

If the whisky is in continuous contact with the cork, then over time, this divine drink will alter in taste. You could even say your whisky deteriorates. Nothing could be more lamentable than spoiling a fine bottle of 'uisge beatha,' so always keep your bottle upright.

Keep the cork moist

While the whisky shouldn't always be touching the cork, it is crucial that the cork remains moist. Therefore, if you have a whisky bottle with a cork, make a habit of tilting it occasionally. This will moisten the cork and prevent it from drying out.

A dried-out cork may break when you open the bottle, which is something you'll want to avoid at all costs. Think about an expensive Macallan or Bowmore whisky with pieces of cork in it. Remember, the cork influences the taste of your whisky, and this applies to fragments of broken cork falling into your bottle, too.

Maintain a constant temperature

The next tip to keep your whisky in good condition is all about the temperature. Whisky doesn't fare well under extremely hot temperatures or unpredictable climate fluctuations.

So, store your whisky bottles in a reasonably cool place where you can maintain a stable temperature. The ideal temperature range for whisky is around 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Protect your whisky against sunlight

Not only does whisky prefer a stable temperature, it also likes to be in the dark. You certainly want to keep it away from sunlight, which can affect both the flavour and the colour of your whisky.

The best option is to keep the whisky entirely away from UV light. This can be achieved using special UV-blocking display cases or with UV-protective window film. Some distilleries even account for UV light.

Avoid strong odours

Drinking whisky is about more than just taste. The appreciation of this divine liquor begins with the eye, closely followed by the nose. So keep your whisky away from strong odours such as spices, perfumes or chemical substances.

If you don't, every time you grab your bottle you'll be hit with that scent. Moreover, intense smells can permeate the cork of the bottle. Foreign smells can ruin the experience of the whisky's aroma, which is certainly something you want to avoid.

Ensure there is not too much air inside the bottle

One particular rule with whisky is that you want to avoid excessive air. The more oxygen within a bottle, the faster the flavour changes and the whisky loses its unique character.

If your bottle is only half-filled or even less, pour the whisky into a decanter or a smaller bottle. By doing this, you can keep it for a longer period without losing its exquisite taste.