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- What is Cognac? July 1, 2011 in What is Cognac? 3
How do I store a cognac bottle? It’s a question that is raised quite often. So in answer to your requests, here are some thoughts.
How long can you keep an unopened bottle of cognac? Questions over questions.
Firstly, cognac does not age once bottled. So storing a bottle for 10 years will not make it any older – the contents will remain the same age as they were when they left the barrel. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s not worth buying an exceptional bottle and storing it for as long as you like. As we’ve reported many times there are a great many people who are investing in high-end cognacs rather than entrusting their money to the coffers of the banks.
and old cognac bottle
So – with regards to an unopened sealed bottle of cognac, if stored correctly then the contents will remain safe for a good amount of time.
What is the best way to store my cognac bottle?
It may be right that the bottle must be stored upright so that the cognac does not come into contact with the cork. On the other hand, if the cork is not in contact with the cognac at all, the cork may become dry. It must be kept in the shade, in a cool place with no extremes of temperature – a cellar is ideal. But: if it’s too humid, the labels will go off – and that’s not necessarily something you would want. A cellar normally ensures that the temperature remains fairly constant, and that the bottle is not exposed to any sunlight.
At which temperature you should keep your cognac? Most important thing is: constant. No extremes. It can be room temperature.
If you open a bottle of cognac, how long will it keep?
With regards to open bottles there is no official amount of time it can be stored before the quality will begin to fade. However, once the cognac is in contact with air this will cause it to gradually deteriorate and evaporate. The more air there is in the bottle the faster this will happen. Realistically, you can expect to store an open bottle of cognac for around six months before this will become noticeable. If you wish, you can decant the contents into a smaller container so the air to liquid ratio remains as small as possible; this will help to slow the deterioration process. Even though an open bottle will deteriorate with age it is still fine to drink. It’s just that you might notice a difference in the taste as the months go by.
How long can you keep Cognac?
And the good old question how many years you can keep a bottle in your cellar – well, for a long time, but not too long. Old cognacs are fragile.
So, there you have it, an advice how to store a cognac bottle. We hope it answers the questions of those who’ve taken the time to write in. And if someone has a remark or something to add, or even correct: Please use the comment section below.
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3 Responses
“On the other hand, if the cork is not in contact with the cork at all,“ could possibly be
“On the other hand, if the cork is not in contact with the cognac at all,“ ?
And so much thanks for thoses great answers.
yesterday I bought an extra martin remy excellence already in the store with people that I bought a 7 year deal and when I get home I go to try to taste the sense that when I open the cognac bottle cap his cork moist try weathered like I finally prying with a knife and I do remy martin xo moved him to the bottle which I had Martell cordon bleu because unfortunately if yawn .. anyone ever had experiences like saua? or understand why this happens?
It is actually not currently true to say that you can store cognac indefinitely, certainly modern cognacs can be stored in glass for very long periods but a gradual deterioration will occur as a result of the cork gradually breaking down in the cognac vapour. It is normally recommended that the cork should be changed every ten years. We have found that a cork will last double that time providing the bottle is stored correctly. There is also a requirement for the cork to be sealed so that the air cannot pass through the dry cork as it gets older. Most bottles are wax sealed to prevent this happening.
There is one further and relatively unusual phenomena which can be a problem with very old cognacs. We have come across a few cases where the spirit can laminate away from the remaining water content and this is usually caused by poor or agressive handling of the bottle. Old cognacs do become fragile and must be handled very carefully. very old cognacs that have broken down are instantly recognisable when tasted, the alcohol level will drop away significantly and will it provide a flavout rather like water that you have washed old leather boots in!