How to Store a Cognac Bottle To Keep It In Great Condition

How do I store a Cognac bottle?  It’s a question that we’re often asked, and is something that many people have varying opinions on.  Another often raised question is, how long can you keep an unopened bottle of Cognac?

So, in answer to the many requests for information on the subject, here are some considerations to take into account regarding best practice when it comes to storing Cognac.

The first thing to understand is that Cognac does not continue to age once bottled.  This means that storing a bottle for 10 years (or more) 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’re investing in high-end Cognacs, rather than entrusting their money to the coffers of the banks.

So, with regards to an unopened and 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?

You may well have heard that the bottle must be stored in an upright position so the Cognac doesn’t come into contact with the cork, and this may well be correct.

However, cork is not a substance that has an infinite lifespan, and if it’s not in contact with the Cognac at all then it might become dry.  Bottles should be kept in the shade and in a cool place with no extremes of temperature – a cellar is ideal.

But, a word of advice – if the environment is too humid, the labels might suffer and come off the bottle – obviously not an ideal scenario.  This is why a cellar often proves a hospitable place to store Cognac, with the temparature in such a place remaining fairly constant, as well as ensuring that the bottle isn’t exposed to any sunlight.

And when it comes to understanding the best temperature at which to keep your Cognac, then the most important thing to consider is that it’s constant.  In other words, no extremes of temperature.  Indeed, room temperature is quite sufficient.

If you open a bottle of Cognac, how long will it keep?

Regarding an open bottle, then there’s no official amount of time a Cognac can be stored before the quality will begin to fade.  However, once the Cognac comes into contact with the air, it will gradually begin to deteriorate and evaporate.  The more air in the bottle, the faster this will happen.

Realistically, you can think that it’s okay to store an open bottle of Cognac for around six months before this deterioration becomes noticeable.  If you wish, you can decant the contents into a smaller container.  This ensures the air to liquid ratio remains as small as possible, helping to slow the deterioration process.

But even though an open bottle will deteriorate with age, it’s 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?

Now, this is a very commonly asked question; how many years can you keep a bottle in your cellar?  Well, the simple answer is, for a long time – but not too long.  Old Cognacs are a fragile product.

So there you have it.  Our advice on how to store a Cognac bottle.  We hope it answers many of the questions of those who’ve taken the time to write in.  And naturally, if someone has an opinion. remark, something to add or even to correct, please use the comment section below.

Get articles like these and more:
Subscribe to our mailing list

Get our Cognac Guide in form of an e-Book for free. Weekly updates about our stories, new products and deals.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that you will receive emails about Cognac and that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here. You may withdraw this consent at any time. More information can be found in our privacy.