How long do spirits and liqueurs last? This is a question which comes up frequently when we’re doing our presentations on cocktails and cocktail making. There’s usually a reason of course. “We’ve had this bottle of x since we got married 10 years ago. Will it still be alright?” Or another recent one, “we’ve got these bottles of drink that my dad had for years before he passed away.”
The good news as most collectors of spirits and liqueurs will know is that in fact most products will last for years. And I mean years, decades in fact! I know, because I’ve tested this theory. Not intentionally, it’s just happened. The Maraschino I finished recently was over 30 years old. And it was fine. I have a few malts that are around 20 years old. Plus many liqueurs a lot older than that. I’ve never really found a ‘regular’ use for either green or red curacao. So they’ve been open for 20+ years and there’s still plenty left. So it’s all good then. You can keep stuff for as long as you like? Well, not in all cases.
What spirits and liqueurs go ‘off’?
Clearly the cream based ones such as Baileys have to be treated with caution. Hopefully it is obvious that any product containing cream (or any dairy ingredient) will go off at some point. Helpfully, Baileys now has use by dates on the foot of the rear label. That said my bottle is well past it’s use by date and it seems fine. My general view on things to do with food or drink is that you use your senses before tasting it. If it looks, or smells strange, don’t drink it. Clearly.
The use by dates are there for the protection of the producers though. In fact Baileys didn’t used to have use by dates on at all. It looks like the shelf-life is around 24 months.
There are a few dairy-based liqueurs that state on the label that they should be kept refrigerated once opened. And use within 6 months of opening. So be vigilant. This applies to the bottle of Advocaat I have. I’ve had that a couple of years opened. I’ve just read the label and noticed the refrigerated bit. I wasn’t aware of that. Oops. It’s made with eggs though, so it falls under my definition of cream liqueurs. Note to self ………….. check the label.
A rule of thumb
A good guide to the life of spirits and liqueurs is that the stronger the alcoholic percentage the longer it will keep. Alcohol is a preservative after all. So your 40% ABV, (80 proof if you’re American) bottle of spirit or liqueur will keep indefinitely.
What else doesn’t keep well?
The other thing to bear in mind are the ingredients. Fruit and plant based liqueurs do go ‘off’ over time I’ve noticed. Sloe gin forms a sediment after a period of years. It’s a product I don’t use much, and so I had to bin the last 1/4 of the bottle as it just didn’t look great, pouring it out with bits floating in it. In fairness to the integrity of the product though, it was more than 10 years old! Lesson learned. I’ve also noticed that the versatile elderflower liqueur St. Germain too only lasts about a year or so before it starts changing colour. It darkens and changes from a pale straw like colour to one that resembles wee (after you’ve not drunk much water all day.) You get me? That’ll be the elderflower then.
Storage tips for spirits and liqueurs
While this article may appear to display a cavalier attitude towards use by dates, it is true that I trust my senses – as written above. That said, I would always make sure that any paying guests are only ever given in-date and well stored products. I’m happy with my personal standards, but I wouldn’t impose them on others. I have a strong stomach, but others may not of course!
I store the vast majority of spirits and liqueurs in the cool and in the dark. In the wine trade ‘lightstrike’ is a thing. It is about the degradation of the wine in the bottle from the effects of the sun. Ensure all bottles are properly sealed once opened. Obvious point hopefully. I did have one bottle of malt whisky recently where the cork stopper had started to disintegrate, dropping into the whisky. The global drinks company were brilliant though. I wrote to them, sent them pictures and provided the batch number as they requested. They replaced the bottle with a new one and a letter of apology. Well done Pernod-Ricard.
I have noticed that a bottle of Edinburgh Gin’s fabulous rhubarb and ginger liqueur has discoloured. Over 2 years it’s gone from having a blush colour to a pale slightly watery appearance now. I won’t be writing, or complaining though. This is a product which contains fruit and it hasn’t been stored in the dark. So this one’s down to me.
Overall then the vast majority of your spirits and liqueurs will keep for ages. From your malt scotch whiskies through to your Cointreau, Drambuie and Grand Marnier, they should all be fine. Savour them. Drink responsibly! Enjoy. Cheers.