Sep 14, 2022
What Is The Purpose Of A Decanter For Scotch?
In modern culture, whiskey decanters have essentially replaced coffee table books as the object of desire. You won’t have any trouble locating one that complements your own sense of style, regardless of whether you’re an avid globetrotter or more of a goth.
For a number of decades, many people regarded whiskey decanters as a mark of prestige. These whiskey accessories, which were made of glass or crystal, rose to prominence very rapidly and were the ultimate symbol for the supreme CEO. Even though we all agree that there is no such thing as a truly finished office without one, whiskey decanters are really more of a household item these days.
In point of fact, the primary factor that causes the vast majority of customers to hesitate before purchasing their very own whiskey decanter is the fact that they are unsure of its purpose. A whiskey decanter, like a wine decanter, enables oxygen to interact with the whiskey, although not to the same extent as a wine decanter will.
- Wine decanters allow more oxygen to come into contact with the whiskey.
- When wine is transferred from the bottle into a decanter, the liquid is given the opportunity to oxidize, therefore allowing the sediment to settle to the bottom of the vessel.
- When you pour your whiskey into a decanter, the spirit will be able to interact with air, which will make it easier for more subtle scents to develop.
This means that when you take your first whiff, you will be able to smell more than just the burning alcohol. In addition to that, whiskey is far more resistant to deterioration when stored in a decanter than wine is. If you want to make sure that your drink won’t spill no matter where you put the decanter, look for one that has a stopper that won’t break and a bottom that won’t wobble.
- It goes without saying that you should always check to see if the bottle is “lead-free,” as there are still numerous lead crystal decanters available for purchase.
- After that, it’s a matter of aesthetics, so try to pick the decanter that fulfills all of your fantasies regarding Bourbon, Rye, and Irish whiskey.
Because it is the ideal combination of trustworthy whiskey technology and elegant appearance, this decanter is the one that we at VinePair reach for time and time again. Don’t worry if you haven’t yet found the ideal glass (slipper) decanter; we’ve included a number of alternatives down below; simply continue reading to get the container that best suits your needs.
Contents
Do you put scotch in a decanter?
Is it Appropriate to Use a Decanter for Whiskey? – Absolutely, there is no need for concern. There is no need for concern on your part regarding the loss of any taste or alcohol content in your whiskey so long as the seal on your decanter is airtight.
How long does scotch last in a decanter?
How Long Does Whiskey Remain Fresh If Kept In A Decanter? Whiskeys that are kept in the lead-free decanter have a shelf life that can range anywhere from two months to three years, depending on the amount of alcohol that is contained within the decanter.
Alterations in temperature, humidity, and light levels, as well as the presence or absence of an airtight seal on the decanter, are some of the other elements that can extend the whiskey’s shelf life in the decanter. When maintained correctly, unopened bottles of whiskey have the potential to remain drinkable for a century or more.
Even while these spirits do not go bad or become harmful to drink, their taste profiles will shift over time as a result of oxidation. 
Does scotch go bad?
Have you ever been curious about whether or not scotch or whiskey has a shelf life? How are you going to tell if it has already gone bad? This essay offers the solutions to all of your problems. It is true that scotch may go sour. If the opened bottle is kept airtight and is only half filled, it has a shelf life of up to 2 years. 
Do you decant whiskey?
Don’t Miss A Drop will send you updates on the newest happenings in the world of beer, wine, and cocktail culture directly to your email inbox. Whiskey, on the other hand, won’t actually alter all that much when it’s exposed to oxygen—at least, not in terms of the exposure it’ll get when it’s poured into another container and/or when a whiskey decanter has a somewhat less airtight cover than other containers (vs.
- The bottle cap).
- Although it will oxidize, whiskey stored in a bottle with a large amount of air (like the one you’ve been drinking from, you rascal) will do so much more slowly than wine.
- Once the whiskey has been bottled, it is considered a finished product, according to the Scotch Whisky Association, which is an organization that we can safely presume is not to be trifled with.
In general, however, this is not the case. “Even if you store a bottle of whiskey that is 12 years old for another 100 years, it will still be considered 12 years old.” Tannins and alcohol concentration are the two primary contributors to wine’s evolution, but whiskey’s consistency is mostly unaffected by these two variables.
The tannin concentration of wine is significantly higher than that of whiskey (naturally occurring in the grape, borrowed from the barrel, etc.). Whiskey does not contain any tannins naturally and receives just a trace amount of tannins from the barrel in which it is aged. Why do tannins matter? They have the potential to alter the flavor of a bottle of wine over time, either for the better or for the worse.
Something that is too brutally tannic right now could smooth out over the course of a few years, so be patient and try other wines that are more approachable in the meanwhile. Because whiskey has so few tannins, there is not much of a possibility for big flavor changes to occur over time.
- This is perfectly acceptable, as a completed whiskey should taste the same forever, or at least for as long as it remains in your liquor cabinet.
- The amount of alcohol is more crucial than the tannins.
- While the alcohol by volume content of wines can range anywhere from 11 to 15% (and sometimes higher), the vast majority of whiskeys are bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV (or even more if they are “cask strength”).
That indicates two things: the first is that you should drink your whiskey much more slowly, and the second is that you need not bother about putting it into (or out of) a decanter. Because of the large percentage of alcohol present, the likelihood of a significant chemical reaction resulting from oxidation is significantly reduced.
It’s not entirely unheard of for whiskey to undergo some sort of transformation over the course of its lifetime, particularly if it’s been stored in an environment that’s been subjected to sunlight (since this will speed up any chemical reactions that might take place) or temperature fluctuations (which can cause the whiskey to become cloudy, but don’t worry about it; this is perfectly normal).
Should you decant your whiskey?
And some drinkers are of the notion that the initial dram of whiskey tastes different from the remainder of the bottle; however, this might also be a result of palate acclimatization, seeing as how whiskey (of any sort) does not so much prance as slam dance upon your tongue.
- Take a look at the decanter if you are still unsure of what to do.
- Wine decanters are usually sold without a lid and always have an intricate design that makes them extremely fragile.
- This is done on purpose to promote the interaction between the liquid and the air in the decanter.
- On the other hand, whiskey decanters are typically constructed for stability (sometimes with a broad bottom), as well as for the sake of straight-up gleaming impressiveness.
In whiskey decanters, air is not an issue since, given a fair amount of time, it will not make much of a change in the whiskey’s flavor. Because of this, a whiskey decanter will always have a cap on it, which is the large bulbous piece of glass that our businessman replaces after pouring himself some Scotch.
Then, what is the point of it all? Aesthetics. Historically, decanters were used to draw whiskey from barrels, but in modern times, their primary purpose is to look good. Decanters come in a wide variety of styles, from the traditional broad-shouldered and wide-bottomed design to something that would look right at home on the massive mahogany desk of a Bond villain.
Whether you decant the whiskey or not is entirely up to you as long as you do not intend to store it for an extended period of time (in which case you would simply leave it in the bottle). Just be sure that it isn’t a decanter made of lead crystal. They may be more sparkly, but the price you pay for that shine may be lead seeping into your whiskey (it will take some time, but it will happen). 
How do you drink scotch?
Your whisky should be enjoyed straight up, and you should alternate sips with sips of cool water to keep your palate clear. In addition, some individuals like to add a few drops of water to their whiskey, which, when combined with the whisky, can help to open up the tastes.
