tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post7331916167894185006..comments2024-03-13T04:04:32.568-07:00Comments on Sku's Recent Eats: Whiskey Wednesday: Whiskey, Age and Oxygen Part 2skuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487419662314518931noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-82914743677941711212022-04-25T10:53:55.724-07:002022-04-25T10:53:55.724-07:00Interesting perspective, and some great insights.
...Interesting perspective, and some great insights.<br />I think it's important however, to note that this is not oxidation we're talking about. <br />Oxidation -IS NOT- a factor (or even an event) when it comes to whiskey after it's been bottled.<br /><br />What it IS that's actually being discussed is the gradual lowering of proof in the bottle upon each opening when the headspace (primarily evaporated alcohol) is released. <br /><br />When more is poured out, the headspace is increased and the potential loss of alcohol increased with it.<br /><br />Again, to be clear. . . Oxidation -DOES NOT HAPPEN- when whiskey is exposed to air.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-2427181491214457222016-08-07T05:49:34.006-07:002016-08-07T05:49:34.006-07:00Hi: I conducted my own experiment. It's not ju...Hi: I conducted my own experiment. It's not just the amount of oxygen from which it's exposed, it's the quality of the whiskey itself. I tested Blantons, McCallan 12 year old scotch and Woodford Reserve. I poured an equal amount into three different glasses and let them sit uncovered. After only 8 hours the Blantons whiskey had oxidized and separated. I tasted it and it was disgusting. The McCallan 12 and Woodford Reserve were still drinkable even after 24 hours. There must be a process by the distiller that makes some whiskies and scotches more resistant to oxidation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08399480395233649396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-90669365851963263622014-08-07T22:26:53.707-07:002014-08-07T22:26:53.707-07:00Great Post and method. I did a similar test, but w...Great Post and method. I did a similar test, but with 750 ml bottles around a year ago with very similar results.<br /><br />The alcohol comment by Jeff is an interesting one. I imagine the impact of the change in alcohol percentage is minimal compared to the impact of oxidation, largely because I have noticed changes in flavor and sharpness greater than that of adding a few drops of water to lower the proof. Maybe next time I do an experiment I'll have to get out my hydrometer and whip my college chemistry back into shape...<br /><br />But, for me, it begs the question - are there any whiskies that you think would improve from exposure to oxygen/aging/air in the bottle? Sometimes, I'm sure, we've noticed the improvement (at least in the nose) of a whisky as it sits out or "opens up". Are there any whiskies which could be improved from letting some of the edges dull and round out a little? To me, it seems possible, though my observations of long sitting half-empty bottles are not that they are improved.Jason Hambreyhttp://whiskywon.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-65987876136995674272014-06-24T11:53:11.408-07:002014-06-24T11:53:11.408-07:00Jeff, it's a good question, and not being a sc...Jeff, it's a good question, and not being a scientist (or at all science minded), I can't tell you. Of course, while there is more air in the 750, the proportion of air to whiskey would be the same as in the minis, so the exposure level shouldn't be any different.skuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00487419662314518931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-17146330778238017232014-06-24T11:46:55.855-07:002014-06-24T11:46:55.855-07:00Great test. Thank you. While very informational ...Great test. Thank you. While very informational it still leaves me wondering how how it translates to this happening with 750ml's. Exactly the same? Magnified? A half full 750ml will have more air in the bottle and have higher exposure.<br /><br />I'm a firm believer in not letting bottles sit open. I've even collected 375ml bottles to decant. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16952922763460424920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-7432170783329262982012-07-23T14:17:11.502-07:002012-07-23T14:17:11.502-07:00I do not think it is an effect on oxidation. I ge...I do not think it is an effect on oxidation. I get similar effect if I pour whiskey in the glass and I leave it for half a day on a counter - lighter and less forceful.<br />I think going from full size bottle to a mini makes a huge difference in the test. That 1/4 full mini probably did not have as much alcohol left in it as the other one due to alcohol evaporation which accounts for lighter taste and less burn. Alcohol evaporates quicker than water.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-89805562412542024652012-04-22T10:16:01.557-07:002012-04-22T10:16:01.557-07:00Okay, now you need to try vacuum sealing the bottl...Okay, now you need to try vacuum sealing the bottle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-35446937369944892102011-06-28T15:13:25.925-07:002011-06-28T15:13:25.925-07:00Thanks for your comment Shane. Great point and yo...Thanks for your comment Shane. Great point and you are undoubtedly right, though that would be the same for the quarter full bottle and that did have a noticeable difference.skuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00487419662314518931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-81799592116904168512011-06-28T15:10:13.365-07:002011-06-28T15:10:13.365-07:00I appreciate your scientific attitude! One thing I...I appreciate your scientific attitude! One thing I would note though, when I drink a bottle to half full it usually isn't all at once. I do it in intervals so the whisky gets more than a half full refresh. It gets refreshed a lot more, actually. That could account for why the half full obttle didn't seem aired out yet. You didn't give the vapors a chance to move into that air and then escape a few times, you only let it go once. Great job, though!Shanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06118788605456797750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-58570699248616645522011-04-02T23:47:35.225-07:002011-04-02T23:47:35.225-07:00Thanks Karaoke Steve, I'll be interested to he...Thanks Karaoke Steve, I'll be interested to hear about your experiment. I've tried it with milk as well, which definitely shows some deteriroation over time.skunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-22766966418349295002011-04-01T10:58:14.231-07:002011-04-01T10:58:14.231-07:00I tried this same experiment with Dr. Pepper with...I tried this same experiment with Dr. Pepper with similar results. Next week, I am going to start on Mr. Pibb. I will keep you posted.Karaoke stevehttp://www.youtube.com/user/youlovekaraokestevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-61320824758513790932011-03-25T10:41:15.512-07:002011-03-25T10:41:15.512-07:00Fascinating post! Thanks for that.
I've been...Fascinating post! Thanks for that.<br /><br />I've been discussing the idea of doing a similar experiment to see what the effect of light-strike is on taste.<br /><br />Keep up the sterling work.Jason B. Standinghttp://www.whiskysquad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-7594096338409319142011-03-23T16:57:35.697-07:002011-03-23T16:57:35.697-07:00Sku - hit me at whatwhat.theemail -at- gmail dot c...Sku - hit me at whatwhat.theemail -at- gmail dot com and I can get you a sample of the Banff. I'm actually local to you in LA so it should be easy enough.RegularChumpingtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-75607584451467978782011-03-23T14:40:29.150-07:002011-03-23T14:40:29.150-07:00RC, I may have to hunt down that Banff.
James, ju...RC, I may have to hunt down that Banff.<br /><br />James, just for the record, after my review, the Scotch Noob contacted me and specifically asked for the Loch Dhu. Of course, I was happy to comply since I certainly wasn't going to drink the whole thing. I threw in the Ardbeg because I thought it was too sad to just give him Loch Dhu.skuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00487419662314518931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-7231905212280403142011-03-23T14:05:35.789-07:002011-03-23T14:05:35.789-07:00Interesting project and results. Now you've g...Interesting project and results. Now you've got me wondering if I should be using Private preserve or whether it really works--your next experiment perhaps? <br /><br />Btw, it's good of you to send the Scotch Noob some samples--ok maybe the Loch Dhu sample wasn't so nice--hehe.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09645197662375448990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-31061478742969487052011-03-22T19:14:51.976-07:002011-03-22T19:14:51.976-07:00Thanks for the great post, Sku. I'd been waiti...Thanks for the great post, Sku. I'd been waiting for this one for a while now. I've got a Banff that I had a pour off of and absolutely loved, but had actually kind of been paralyzed on having more because I kind of dreaded the loss of character since it's such a sublime treat. This definitely gives me some comfort and looks like the Boston Rounds will be on order soon. Likewise I'll probably be enjoying it a bit more. <br /><br />On the other hand - I too don't like to really render judgement on newly opened bottles. I've had them really be one thing (usually, as Jason notes, way too brash) and then find them to be an entirely different beast in the following days. Not that my reviews are worth much but I've definitely found myself holding off until things are maybe mid-shoulder - I have a few impressions of it; the occasional palate contamination is gone, and I am more sure if that random strange note I detected is really there or not.<br /><br />(Just for fun, the Banff in question is Duncan Taylor ROR, 31 years, distilled '75 bottled '07, cask 3414. Very nice.)RegularChumpingtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-24823347402946554832011-03-22T18:50:30.934-07:002011-03-22T18:50:30.934-07:00Thanks for the great comments Jason. Interesting ...Thanks for the great comments Jason. Interesting point about not reviewing the first pour. I've noticed that difference as well, and sometimes I don't even review on the first day because I think there is sometimes a noticeable change when you wait 24 hours after opening the bottle, but that could just be perception.<br /><br />I've thought about funnelling as well, but I'm just too damned lazy.skuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00487419662314518931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9082156144028140004.post-69138124064459172172011-03-22T18:24:07.600-07:002011-03-22T18:24:07.600-07:00Once again, another extremely thought provoking po...Once again, another extremely thought provoking post. And I applaud the great lengths you've gone to prove it - this is the kind of stuff I love about sites like yours. For the greater good!<br /><br />Anyway, I have this conversation with folks all the time and I've always been a firm believer in whiskey losing character. The way I've described it is like what happens to fruit left to over ripen on a kitchen counter (a fridge is probably more appropriate) and begin deteriorating. It becomes sweeter, it loses structure in the mouth, and all of the sharpness and bite is dulled increasingly the longer it sits in the half filled or less bottle. In short it loses what you might call its complexity and character.<br /><br />If I open a bottle I try to drink it within 3-4 months. When it gets about 1/3 full I funnel it into 4oz and/or 2oz Boston Round bottles with screw caps. I label it and date the day I re-bottled it. I've found this helps immensely in keeping the whiskey on point and true to character.<br /><br />One thing worth noting to the opposite of this subject. I review whiskeys and do tasting and I never review the first pour of whiskey from a bottle. I simply enjoy it because most times for me, the whiskey is like a bull in a china shop. All that alcohol just rushing to get out. In my experience it is at it's fullest and spiciest at that moment. But there's only one first pour for a consumer to have. So for me I find that 2nd -4th is the best time to really understand what that whiskey is all about. Pure theory, but it's one I'm repeatedly reminded of with each fresh bottle. <br /><br />Again great post - sorry for the overly long comment.Jason Pylehttp://sourmashmanifesto.comnoreply@blogger.com