Does Liquor Expire?

Whether you’re doing a bit of spring cleaning, reorganizing, or simply inventorying your stash, you may come across a few opened bottles and wonder whether or not they’re worth saving. Let’s see how long wine, beer, and liquor last and see what’s worth keeping around. 

We all know the saying, “age like fine wine,” but in reality, most wines aren’t too fine, so you should drink an unopened bottle within a year or two of purchasing it; you should finish or toss an opened bottle within a day or two for best taste.

We know that it doesn’t have a long shelf life when it comes to beer. You can generally get three to six months out of a case as long as it’s stored in the proper conditions – dark and cool. Beer can skunk if transferred from cold to warm and back again. It’s better to keep it in the fridge the entire time or keep it in the garage (as long as you bought it on the shelf) until you’re ready to drink it. If you switch back and forth, that beer is as good as gone.

But what about liquor? Does it age like fine wine or go bad within just a few months? The answer lies in between the two. Liquor generally lasts between six to eight months once opened, but many people don’t notice a difference up to a year or two. The good news is that it doesn’t become toxic or make you sick; it simply loses flavor and color. The even better news is that unopened liquor has an indefinite shelf life. That’s right! If unopened, you can hand down a bottle of liquor to your grandkids, and it’ll still taste great when they finally break into it. Cream liqueurs, however, should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within eight months to one year of opening. 

Liquor is the most versatile type of alcohol, and it has the longest shelf life! Depending on your mixer of choice (if you use one), it can also be the healthiest. Come see us and stock up on your favorite liquor if you’re looking for the most cost-effective, tasty, and healthy drink option. From moonshine to whiskey, rum, vodka, and more, we have everything you need to keep your shelves stocked and your heart happy.