In general, liquor doesn’t have an expiry date. An unopened bottle of whiskey, vodka, or rum, will last for decades and beyond without a substantial change of quality. However, once you open the bottle, things change.
As soon as the oxygen gets in touch with the liquor, the clock starts ticking. It won’t actually go bad in the common sense of that word, but it will start losing its flavor and alcohol content. Continue reading to see how long some of the popular liquors can keep their quality after you’ve opened the bottle.
Whiskey
Whiskey’s shelf life usually depends on how much you have left in the bottle. The usual rule is that you can return to whiskey in a year or two if the bottle is at least half full. In case you only have a quarter of it or less, it is best to finish the bottle in the next six months.
Tequila
Tequila can be enjoyed for one year after you’ve opened it. After that, you’ll find it a lot less appealing.
Vodka
Vodka can sometimes lose its quality when unopened, but that only starts happening after 50 years or so. Opened vodka, on the other hand, deteriorates much faster. Most brands remain good for six more months or a year before the drink becomes bland.
Rum
Most rum experts recommend that you drink your opened bottle of rum within six months. Past this, no one can guarantee that you’ll enjoy it.
