Can It Go Bad?

Alcohol

Can Vermouth Go Bad?

Aromatic, robust, and refreshing, Vermouth can be served on its own or as a part of a cocktail. Originally, Vermouth was sold as a medicinal drink. Over time, the product was sold as an alcoholic beverage much like Amaro. In fact, some of the most iconic cocktails – such as Martini and Manhattan – are made with vermouth. This wine is infused with a variety of herbs, flowers, and spices + a kick of brandy to give it a distinct aroma and flavor!

Can Vermouth Go Bad?

Vermouth is an alcoholic product so it has a long shelf life. The alcohol in vermouth gives the product a self-preserving property so it should keep for a long, long time. Since vermouth is high in alcohol, it is quite resistant to bacterial and mold growth.

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Although vermouth will keep indefinitely, the product does turn flat or flavorless overtime. When the product is not kept properly or if the storage environment is less than ideal, the product loses its aroma and flavor. Other times, a leaky or poorly sealed bottle accelerates the flavor loss. Do note that sweet vermouth has a longer shelf life than dry vermouth.

Signs that Vermouth Has Gone Bad

Since vermouth does not spoil the same way as other products, it can be quite a struggle to check for spoilage. Generally, any changes in its color, flavor, or aroma are an indication that the product is no longer usable. A leaky or poorly sealed bottle or container could also cause the product to turn flat or lose flavor entirely. Always keep a bottle of vermouth tightly sealed after every use to extend its shelf life.

How to Store Vermouth?

For sealed, unopened bottles of vermouth, you can store the product in the pantry at room temperature. Since the product is sensitive to heat, humidity, and light, keep a bottle of vermouth in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or sources of heat.

For opened bottles of vermouth that are nearing their expiry date, storing the product in the refrigerator may extend its shelf life. The chilly temperature will slow down the degradation of the product. But again, keep the lid tightly sealed so the product won’t lose its flavor while stored in the fridge.

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When kept at room temperature, a sealed bottle of vermouth will keep for a year. On the other hand, opened bottles of vermouth will only keep for six months or so in the fridge. Vermouth has a shorter shelf life than other spirits because it doesn’t age as most wines. Vermouth has to be consumed fresh so finish a bottle as soon as possible for optimal flavor.

Can You Freeze Vermouth?

Freezing is not a recommended storage method at all. As with most types of alcoholic beverage, Vermouth has the tendency to lose its flavor during storage. Flavor loss will be accelerated if the product has been left to thaw for a while. Vermouth has a reasonable shelf life so you will not have any problems using up a bottle. Still, if you must freeze this product, just make sure to transfer the vermouth in an airtight container.

Summary

A bottle of vermouth makes any event extra special! Can vermouth go bad? As with most spirits, vermouth has a long shelf life but it has to be stored properly to retain its aroma and flavor!

Can Triple Sec Go Bad?

Triple sec is a variety of Curaçao liqueur made from sweet and bitter orange peels. This clear, citrusy liqueur is processed using triple copper still distillation, hence the name. This product can be mixed with different drinks or enjoyed on its own. Triple sec is quite aromatic and it adds a refreshing flavor to mixed drinks. If you love Triple sec then you probably have a bottle or two in storage. Thankfully, this product has a long shelf life!

Can Triple Sec Go Bad?

Just like any type of alcoholic products, triple sec has a lengthy shelf life. Some say this product does not go bad at all! Because it’s made from distilled alcohol, triple sec has a self-preserving property. It is quite resistant to bacterial growth and mold growth. As such, triple sec does not go bad. It does, however, degrade during storage.

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Degradation of the product occurs when the triple sec is exposed to extreme heat or humidity. When the product is not sealed during storage, the triple sec loses its flavor too. If you’d like to enjoy triple sec for a long time, you have to store the product properly!

Signs that Triple Sec Has Gone Bad

While triple sec keeps well in storage, it will start evaporating slowly. This goes especially if the product has been left sitting at room temperature for a long time. Leaky or unsealed bottles of triple sec could also cause the product to lose its flavor. However, despite losing flavor, triple sec is still safe to consume. If for some reason the product develops an off-color, flavor or appearance, toss the triple sec in the trash.

How to Store Triple Sec?

Triple sec is a stable product so it is best kept in the pantry. The product won’t spoil at all because the alcoholic content inhibits bacterial and mold growth. That being said, this product is sensitive to heat and light so store the triple sec in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Keep the container’s cap closed tightly at all times for optimal flavor.

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You can also store triple sec in the refrigerator. This is a great option if you love your drinks chilled or if you are worried about evaporation. No additional prep is needed to store triple sec in the fridge, use its original packaging. When kept in the pantry or fridge, triple sec will keep indefinitely.

Can You Freeze Triple Sec?

Yes, you can freeze triple sec but only because any type of food or drink can be stored in the freezer. However, this product does not require freezing at all. Triple sec will keep indefinitely regardless if it’s frozen or kept at room temperature. Thawing may increase the risk of flavor loss too, something to keep in mind if ever you decide to freeze this liqueur.

Summary

Triple sec makes a delightful addition to your favorite cocktails. Having a bottle in storage is a great idea if you love mixing your own drinks or when celebrating a special occasion! Can triple sec go bad? The great thing about storing alcoholic drinks is that they do not go bad at all. Still, you have to store the triple sec properly to reduce the risk of evaporation or flavor loss.

Can Sake Go Bad?

Sake is a Japanese wine made from fermented rice. The drink is often served during ceremonies and special occasions or to cap off a good meal in restaurants. This traditional drink is also used in cooking! Sake is such a prized ingredient that most Japanese households have a bottle of sake or two on display.

Sake is highly perishable because it is almost always made by hand. Since the product doesn’t contain preservatives, it is prone to spoilage. The good news is, sake won’t spoil easily as long as it is stored properly.

Image used under Creative Commons from Tristan Kenney

Can Sake Go Bad?

Can sake go bad? Since sake is fermented, it boasts of a long shelf life. However, there is no alcoholic drink that could truly keep forever. While sake will keep for a long, long time, it will go bad at some point. High-quality sake is not only hard to come by, it’s quite pricey too! That’s why storing the product properly is a must if you want to extend the shelf life of sake.

An unopened bottle of sake has a longer shelf life than an opened bottle of sake because the product is kept sealed. As with most types of fermented drinks, air exposure is the enemy. Always seal the product after every use to extend the shelf its shelf life.

Signs that Sake Has Gone Bad

It is hard to tell if sake has gone bad at a glance. You have to smell or taste the product to know for sure if it is no longer safe to consume. Any slight taste or aroma changes could be a sign that the sake has gone bad. To be on the safe side, try not to store sake for a long time. Consume the product before the expiry date.

How to Store Sake?

The best way to store unopened bottles of sake is to keep them in the pantry at room temperature. Place the product in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. Air exposure causes oxidation that can shorten the storage life of the drink.

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On the other hand, opened bottles of sake, as well as sake that’s nearing its expiry date, should be kept in the fridge. It’s best to store the sake in the lower rack of the fridge so the chilly temps won’t affect the delicate flavor of the product. An unopened bottle of sake will keep for 6 to 10 years in the pantry. Opened bottles of sake will keep in the fridge for 1 to 2 years. It’s best to consume the product within a year or less for optimal flavor.

Can You Freeze Sake?

You can freeze sake because any type of drink can be stored in the freezer. However, freezing is not a recommended storage method for sake. The harsh temperature will affect the delicate flavors of the drink. Since sake is a fermented product, it doesn’t require freezing at all.

Summary

Can sake go bad? Sake will go bad at some point but thanks to its long shelf life, you won’t have any problem using up your supply! Remember, sake is quite pricey so storing the product properly is the best way to get the most out of the drink.

Can Malibu Rum Go Bad?

Malibu rum is a type of liqueur made with Caribbean rum and coconut extract. It has a refreshing smooth nutty taste and a sweet finish.  Malibu rum can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a mixed drink. Any type of alcoholic beverage with an alcohol level of 15% and above has a long shelf life. Malibu rum’s alcoholic content is 21%.

Because this liqueur has a high alcohol content, Malibu rum has an impressively long shelf life. The alcohol in Malibu rum acts as a preservative, inhibiting bacteria and mold growth while in storage. However, Malibu rum has a limited storage life so proper storage is a critical part of extending the product’s shelf life!

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Can Malibu Rum Go Bad?

Although Malibu rum has a long shelf life, it will go bad at some point because it has a limited shelf life! This alcoholic beverage will last for years and years in storage but after a while, the rum starts breaking down. When Malibu rum goes bad, it will lose its sweet, nutty flavor.

The coconut extract tends to go bad much more quickly than the rum itself. Improper storage and less than ideal storage conditions could also accelerate the breakdown of the product, leading to a funky-tasting liqueur. It is also worth noting that the rum has to be kept sealed at all times during storage so the alcohol won’t evaporate.

Signs that Malibu Rum Has Gone Bad

It is hard to tell if Malibu rum has gone bad simply because the changes are quite subtle. But if you’re looking for red flags, check for subtle changes in color or flavor. If the Malibu rum has turned a weird shade or it starts smelling a little off, the product might have gone bad. If the product tasted plastic-y or unpleasant overall, the product has gone bad.

In some cases, the rum will lose its smoothness so drinking the rum will be an unpleasant experience. When a bottle of Malibu rum wasn’t sealed properly during storage, it will lose its robust flavor.

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How to Store Malibu Rum?

As with any type of rum-based alcoholic beverage, Malibu rum is best kept in the pantry, at room temperature. Just store the product in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, moisture, and humidity. Rum can be quite sensitive to temperature changes while heat sources accelerate the degradation of the rum.

It is best to use the rum’s original packaging to store the product. Unopened bottles of Malibu rum have a longer shelf life than opened bottles of Malibu rum. However, just keep the lid tightly sealed after every use to maintain the drink’s long shelf life. When kept in the pantry, Malibu rum will keep for 10 years or more. This goes especially if the storage conditions are ideal.

Can You Freeze Malibu Rum?

You can freeze Malibu rum only because any type of drinks can be frozen. Freezing is not the most ideal storage method simply because it can affect the overall taste of the rum. There is no use to freezing Malibu rum because its shelf life is quite long. The best way to store this drink is in the pantry, at room temperature.

Summary

Malibu rum is a terrific party drink so having a bottle (or ten!) in stock is a great idea if you love hosting a party or got something to celebrate. Can Malibu rum go bad? We’re happy to report that Malibu rum will keep indefinitely at room temperature with no extra prep necessary to prolong its shelf life.

Can Kahlua Go Bad?

No liquor collection is complete without a bottle of Kahlua. This delicious coffee liqueur finds itself at home in White Russians, and can make a fun addition to some “grown up” hot chocolate! Of course, you may find yourself with a bottle of Kahlua that’s been sitting in the liquor cabinet for quite some time. Can Kahlua go bad? How can you tell if Kahlua is still safe to drink? Read on to find out!

Can Kahlua Go Bad?

Like many liqueurs, Kahlua does go bad. While your bottle of Kahlua may not spoil in the traditional sense of growing mold, or going rancid, over time it will begin to decline in quality. The manufacturer recommends that Kahlua be consumed within four years of the production date. This shelf life recommendation is the same, whether or not the bottle has been opened, and does not depend on the storage method.

While the product may be still be safe to consume after four years, the quality will have likely degraded, and your mixed drinks might taste a little flat!

Bottles of Kahlua

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How to Tell If Kahlua Has Gone Bad

The main flavor in Kahlua is coffee, and over time, the aromatic compounds in the brew begin to break down. This will make the liqueur less flavorful, and at the same time, will diminish the smell. So, the first way to test if that bottle of Kahlua is still good is to smell it. If the odor of coffee is strong, then the Kahlua is probably still good. A weaker smell, or no smell at all indicates that the taste will likely be off, and won’t taste as good.

While it’s unlikely, Kahlua that has been contaminated could potentially harbor unwanted bacterial or mold growth. If you smell any sour or other off odors, the Kahlua has likely gone bad and should not be consumed. Similarly, if there are any visual signs of mold growth, though highly unlikely (if not almost impossible), the Kahlua should be discarded.

Kahlua will settle after a while, and though this doesn’t indicate spoilage, it does mean that the flavor has likely changed a bit. You can mix the drink back together by gently tipping the bottle upside down a few times before serving – just be sure it’s tightly sealed! Sugar crystals forming on the edge of the bottle are another sign that the Kahlua may have seen better days, though it’s still likely safe to drink.

How to Store Kahlua

Kahlua should be stored in a cool, dark place, away from exposure to heat or direct sunlight. If you’d prefer, you can store Kahlua in the refrigerator, though this will not increase the shelf life by any substantial measure. Many people prefer to store Kahlua in the refrigerator for taste reasons, as this liqueur is best served chilled.

The most important thing to remember when storing Kahlua, is that the bottle should remain tightly sealed. The flavor compounds are sensitive to air exposure, so tightly closing the bottle is the best way to retain the strong coffee flavor. This will also prevent the alcohol from oxidizing and reduce the evaporation, which tends to happen with alcohol-based beverages.

Storing Kahlua in the freezer is not recommended. While there is a good deal of alcohol, which will prevent the Kahlua from freezing solid in most home freezers, the beverage will become thick and possibly chunky when frozen. This will make pouring Kahlua quite difficult, and give your mixed drinks an unpleasant texture. You can, of course, chill a bottle of Kahlua in the freezer for a half hour or so to get the liqueur to a better temperature for drinking, so as to avoid using too much ice.

Can Irish Cream Go Bad?

Irish cream is as much a dessert as it is a drink. This creamy, rich liqueur elevates mixed drinks, coffee and can even make a pretty delicious chocolate sauce, but how much Irish cream can you really drink in one night? Can Irish cream go bad, and how should you store the rest of the bottle?

Can Irish Cream Go Bad?

This may surprise some people, but Irish cream can actually go bad! While many liqueurs have an indefinite shelf life, Irish cream actually contains a good deal of dairy in the form of heavy cream, and will spoil accordingly. Don’t go throwing away that bottle just yet, though!

The shelf life of Irish Cream is about two years after bottling, when properly stored. The freshness of Irish cream doesn’t depend on whether or not the bottle has been opened, but the bottle should remain tightly sealed when stored. While Irish cream may not exactly spoil after the two year point, the quality will likely have declined pretty significantly. Because of this, you should always check for signs of spoilage before consuming cream liqueurs.

The two year shelf life is the recommendation of most manufacturers to ensure that the Irish cream retains its quality, though the general recommendation is to consume Irish cream within six months of purchase. Cream liqueurs are considered “young,” when they are under six months old, and this is generally when they taste the best.

Bailey's Irish Cream

Image used under Creative Commons from Ruth Hartnup

How to Store Irish Cream

Irish cream should be stored in a tightly sealed bottle, in a cool, dark place. While Irish cream can be stored at room temperature, so long as the bottle remains tightly sealed, refrigeration will certainly help to retain the quality for as long as possible.

Whether or not you choose to store Irish cream in the refrigerator, the bottle should be kept out of warm areas, or direct light exposure. If the temperature of your home is frequently above 70 degrees, you should consider storing the Irish cream in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.

Can You Freeze Irish Cream?

Contrary to popular belief, you really shouldn’t freeze Irish cream. While the alcohol will not freeze, the cream can freeze, which will make pouring the Irish cream impossible. Additionally, the freezing process will form small ice crystals, and the texture will in the cream change completely after thawing.

This doesn’t mean that Irish cream can’t be used to make ice cream! Because the churning will prevent the formation of large ice crystals, as well as keep the ice cream from separating, Irish cream can certainly be used to make a delicious, creamy dessert. Ice creams made with alcohol will melt more quickly than other ice creams, but the taste is worth it!

How to Tell When Irish Cream Has Gone Bad

The first thing you should check for, in terms of spoilage, is the smell. When you open the bottle, if the Irish cream smells at all sour or unpleasant, it has likely gone bad. Appearance will be the next indicator – any sort of separation or coagulation indicates that Irish cream has spoiled, and should not be consumed. As Irish cream starts to spoil, it may become darker and much thicker. If you notice that the Irish cream doesn’t pour well, it may not be good anymore.

Of course, if Irish cream smells and looks okay, then it’s likely still good to drink. If you’re unsure of whether or not the Irish cream has spoiled, and it has been in your cupboard for a while, you may want to err on the side of caution and discard the liqueur.

Can Gin Go Bad?

Almost everyone has a bottle of gin collecting dust in the back of their liquor cabinet. Perhaps it was from that time you decided to make gin and tonics, or maybe you can’t even remember where it came from! Either way, there’s still the matter of what to do with that bottle. Can gin go bad and how should you store it to extend the shelf life?

Can Gin Go Bad?

Like all spirits, it’s highly unlikely (and pretty much impossible) that gin will go bad in the traditional sense. The shelf life of gin is basically indefinite, when properly stored. An unopened bottle of gin can stay safe to consume for years, or even decades! This means that if you find a bottle of gin in the back of the liquor cabinet, it’s most likely still good.

Instead of spoiling or rotting, spirits like gin can instead degrade in quality over the years, mainly due to heat and oxygen exposure. This is normal, and won’t impact the safety of the drink, but could impact the taste and potency. Learning how to properly store gin can help you to get the most out of your liquor cabinet.

A Gin Martini

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Evaporation, Oxidation, and Signs of Spoilage in Gin

Because of the high alcohol content of gin, it is not likely to spoil in the way most foods do, as the alcohol will prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. As long as the gin is clear and free of debris, it should be safe to drink. However, while protective, alcohol is also the ingredient in gin that will degrade over time. The two main things that can the alcohol in gin are evaporation and oxidation.

Evaporation can occur when the bottle is not tightly sealed. Over time, the alcohol can evaporate away, leaving the gin a bit more dilute. Exposure to heat and light can speed up the evaporation process, so if you want that gin to retain its kick, proper storage is important!

Oxidation is caused by exposure to air, and can change the flavor of the gin over time. While this can occur when the bottle is not tightly sealed, even air that’s inside the sealed bottle can oxidize the gin. Like with evaporation, exposure to light and heat can expedite this process. Of course, proper storage can slow down oxidation, keeping that gin tasting as it should.

How to Store Gin Properly

Storing gin is the most important factor in preserving the quality of the spirit. Fortunately, proper storage is actually really simple! The most important part of storing spirits is to keep them in an airtight bottle, and away from heat or light. So, storing gin in a cool dark cupboard, or even in your cellar is fine, so long as the bottle remains tightly sealed.

Refrigerating or freezing a bottle of gin can help prevent both evaporation and oxidation, so long as the bottle remains sealed and at a constant temperature. Too many temperature fluctuations could increase the rate of oxidation. If you’ve chosen to store the bottle of gin in the fridge or freezer, be sure to remove it only for short periods of time, and replace it quickly.

If you’re really aiming to preserve the quality of gin for a long period of time, transferring the spirit to a smaller container can help reduce oxidation. Gin can oxidize from the air left in the bottle, so when there’s quite a bit of air, oxidation will occur at a faster rate. Transferring the remaining gin to a smaller, tightly sealing glass jar can limit this process, and keep that gin as fresh as it can be. This is most effective if you are planning on storing the remaining gin for more than a few months, as smaller amounts of air exposure are not as damaging.

Can Brandy Go Bad?

Brandy holds a place in many liquor cabinets, but not everyone knows whether or not this spirit can go bad. After all, brandy is distilled from wine, and doesn’t wine eventually spoil if left open too long? Before you despair at that half open bottle that’s been lurking in your pantry since last New Year’s Eve, read on to find the answer to the question, “can brandy go bad?”

Can brandy go bad?

Because of the high alcohol content of brandy, this spirit won’t go bad in terms of food safety. In fact, unopened brandy can keep indefinitely if properly stored. Like other spirits, brandy should be kept in a tightly sealed container, away from heat, or light. Once a bottle of brandy has been opened, while it can still be stored pretty much indefinitely, there will be some changes to the taste and quality. Proper storage is very important to protect the flavor and quality for as long as possible.

Signs of Spoilage

As brandy doesn’t really spoil as in grow mold, or go rotten, safety is of less of an issue here. The high alcohol content of brandy is protective in a lot of ways. Mold, bacteria or other pathogens will not grow in a sealed bottle of brandy, so for the most part, it is safe to consume brandy that has been opened for a very long time. However, the high alcohol content does mean that brandy is susceptible to two natural processes which will degrade its quality: oxidation and evaporation.

Oxidation is a process that occurs when the compounds in brandy are exposed to oxygen, and the flavors degrade as a result. Further exposure to heat or light can speed up oxidation. While some individuals may still enjoy a slightly less flavorful bottle of brandy, eventually the taste will become quite flat. Oxidation will eventually occur, but this process can be slowed by proper storage.

As alcohol evaporates more readily than water does, brandy that is improperly stored can weaken over time as well as lose flavor. Storing brandy in a tightly sealed container, and in a cool, dark location should slow evaporation as well as oxidation, keeping your brandy in top shape as long as possible.

Storing Brandy Long Term

If you have an opened bottle of brandy that you aren’t going to consume for some time, the best option is likely to store the bottle in the darkest, coolest place of your basement or pantry. If you live in a particularly warm climate that experiences a lot of temperature fluctuations, you may want to store the bottle in either your freezer or refrigerator. In either case, be sure to keep the bottle far from the door (where it would be exposed to warmth and light), and keep the temperature somewhat constant. Remove the bottle to pour a drink, but replace it in the fridge or freezer quickly, so as not to allow the bottle to become warm. Temperature changes tend to oxidize spirits more rapidly.

Pouring Brandy

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If your bottle of brandy has been in the cabinet for a while, and seems to have lost its flavor, you can still revive this spirit! Brandy is excellent when infused with either dried fruit or spices. Be sure that you are infusing the brandy with something low in moisture – vanilla beans, cinnamon, cloves and dried fruit all work wonderfully. Simply add the spices or dried fruit to a sealable jar, and fill most of the way with brandy (don’t leave too much air space). Seal the jar tightly, shake a few times and then leave in a cool, dark place for a few weeks to six months, and you will have a delicious infused brandy that can even be used as an extract in baking.

Can Bourbon Go Bad?

At one point in time or another, you’ll most likely find a bottle of bourbon in your possession. Whether you’re a whiskey connoisseur looking to try this corn-based, barrel aged spirit in a cocktail, or you happened to receive a bottle as a gift, odds are you won’t go through the whole bottle before it’s forgotten in the back of the liquor cabinet. Will the rest of the bottle go to waste? Can bourbon go bad? Read on to find out!

Can Bourbon Go Bad?

As bourbon is a spirit, spoilage in the traditional sense is unlikely, if almost impossible. The shelf life of bourbon is pretty much indefinite, when the spirit is stored properly. Proper storage of spirits is actually quite easy to accomplish. Simply keep the bourbon in a tightly sealed container, safe from light, heat or oxygen exposure. Unopened bourbon can last for years, or even decades, when stored like this. Opened bottles can still be safely stored indefinitely, but there will be some changes in quality.

Conventional wisdom states that bourbon, and other spirits, do not continue to age after they are removed from the barrels and bottled, but there are those that say there is a benefit to storing unopened bourbon a bit longer. After bottling, there are some changes that will take place in the whiskey, even when the bottle is unopened. The tannins in the whiskey (that come from the wooden barrels used to age the spirit) will continue to evolve, changing the taste ever so slightly over time.

Elijah Craig Bourbon Whiskey

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Signs of Spoilage

Spoilage of bourbon is not much of a concern, but rather the main issue you will encounter is the degradation of the spirit’s quality due to evaporation and oxidation. Oxidation occurs when an alcohol exposed to oxygen, and can change the flavor compounds, reducing the quality. Exposure to light and heat can increase the rate at which oxidation occurs, which is why storing a tightly sealed bottle in a cool, dark place is so important.

Evaporation occurs when the bottle is not tightly sealed, and will increase with exposure to light and heat. Alcohol evaporates more rapidly than water, and so the spirit will certainly lose a bit of kick over time, if improperly stored. Be sure to tightly seal the bottle before replacing it in the cabinet.

Storing Bourbon Long Term

Because light, heat and oxygen are the primary threats to the quality of your bourbon, unless you are planning to drink the entire bottle quickly, a decanter (though cool looking) is not a recommended storage container. Instead, a dark glass bottle or jar is recommended.

For the most part, you can simply store bourbon in a cool, dark cupboard or your cellar to retain the quality. However, if you live in a particularly warm climate, or one with wide temperature ranges, you may want to keep your bourbon in the refrigerator or freezer. Bourbon can be stored in either your fridge or freezer to slow the oxidation and evaporation processes, just be sure to tightly seal the lid tightly and place the bottle deep inside (not on the door). Once stored in the freezer, the bottle should remain there, as fluctuations in temperature can speed up oxidation, and diminish the quality.

Another way to reduce the bourbon’s exposure to oxygen after opening the bottle is to transfer the spirits to a smaller bottle with each consumption. The air in the bottle will oxidize the bourbon over time, so if you’ve consumed half the bottle, and don’t plan on drinking the rest for quite a while, slowly pour the contents into a jar where there will be very little extra space. Seal the jar tightly and store in a cool, dark place. Darker glass containers work the best, but as long as the bourbon is kept in a dark place, clear glass should be fine.