A Complete Guide to Properly Store Alcoholic Liquors at Bar

Numerous individuals think that alcoholic liquors can last for quite a while. Though a few kinds of alcoholic liquors will remain useful for a long time, others have a relatively complex shelf life. The shelf life of different alcoholic liquors also varies according to the brand. Moreover, the storage of almost all the alcohols follows the same rules with a little change in them. Proper storage helps increase the shelf life of liquors as well.

So, if you are concerned about keeping your alcoholic liquors safe for longer at the bar, here is a complete guide for their proper storage.

1. Store at Cool Places:

For routinely used distilled spirits, for example, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila, and rum, the general and the most reliable way is to store them at room temperature. In spite of the fact that a few experts state the perfect range is lower and somewhere in the range of 55 and 60 degrees. Storing them in a moderately cool place keeps them safe for more time. You can place them in a commercial wine refrigerator cabinet at your bar.

As the temperature increases, the liquor starts to expand. Consequently, it will evaporate more rapidly. When stored in warm places, the alcoholic liquors oxidize all the more rapidly and change flavors after some time. So, it is suggested to store the alcoholic liquors at cool places.

2. Avoid Longer Exposures to Sun:

If the liquor containers are placed on a bar truck, ensure they are not in direct exposure to the sunlight. Though UV radiations would not spoil your alcohols, longer exposure to sunlight does. Exposure to direct sunlight for longer has a relative effect on storage at high temperatures (accelerating the oxidation reaction). Moreover, a few investigators demonstrated that direct sunlight can be more damaging to alcohol than warm places.

When the bottles of alcoholic liquor were left in the sun for 2 weeks, whiskey lost 10% of its original color. Similarly, scotch lost 40% of its original color during this period. It is suggested to store whiskey at slightly lower than the room temperature and in dark. Moreover, the open liquor containers must not be left in the air for a long time as they will be oxidized.

3. Some Liquors Must be Stored in the Fridge:

The majority of the liquors have sufficient content of alcohol to be okay while stored at room temperature. There are a couple of liquors that must be placed in the refrigerator. Fortified wines, for example, vermouth, sherry, and port and cream-based alcohols such as Baileys Irish cream, should be stored in the fridge. The shelf life of Vermouth at room temperature is 1 to 3 weeks relying upon the brand. 

4. Store Liquors in Standing Position:

The majority of the individuals store liquors at room temperature and in an upstanding position. Moreover, it is a great way to store the bottles tightly sealed. Wine experts usually suggest storing wine bottles on their sides. However, for alcoholic liquor, it isn’t recommended. Placing your bourbon down instead of upstanding it, can make the cork mix and soak into the liquor. So, always try to store the liquor containers vertical for the best outcomes.