Storage Disaster

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Hi All,

First time poster needing advice. I am a freelance consultant that has recently returned from a 12 month contract working abroad.

Having let my flat and moved my stuff into my mother spare bedroom I returned to find a re-organised room with horror of horrors the cardboard box, clearly marked keep upright now on its side. My mother (grrr) had re organised the room and had placed the box on its side.

Stored in the box were the following un-opened bottles:

x2 Lagavulin 16 yr
x2 Lagavulin Distiller Edition
x2 Balvenie 16 yr Triple Cask
x1 Laphroaig Lore
x1 Ballantines 17 yr
x1 Camus XO Elegance (brandy)

The above bottles were left on their side for at least 10 months. The contents will undoubtedly have been in contact with the cork. As far as I can tell the corks have not deteriorated, I can not see debris or sediment in the bottles.

My question, has the whisky been ruined ? Anyone with experience of a similar situation?

I just can't bring myself to sample a bottle in case my worst fears are realised.

Thanks,
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[TheWM]

I wouldn't worry too much; I've had cork degregation in bottles that have been stored properly (in my ownership at least). Keep some corks of various sizes and buy a small, fine sieve - when you open a bottle, you may encounter that the cork has degraded and needs a new one, Hopefully one of the corks you have will fit. When pouring the whisky filter out any sediment and it will be fine. I'd also have a decanter ready (or another suitable container), just in case your cork doesn't fit.

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Thanks for you reply, feel better already.

What about the taste I have been searching online and have read that Whisky can be corked similar to wine as a result of letting the cork come in contact with the whisky contents for a pre longed period.

As stated none of the bottles have any sediment or floating debris. Trust me I looked long and hard !!!!

[Forbes]

Modern stoppers/corks are very good quality and very tuff in comparison to in the past, although bottles should still be kept upright as the strength of the alcohol in whisky will eventually effect the cork, but I think it will be a very long time before this happens, this time will vary depending on the cork and the alcohol strength.

I am sure many bottles are stored in shop storage rooms on their sides for much longer than 10 months with no adverse effect.

If they look ok and haven't broken up I doubt that they have effected the taste of the whisky.

[TheWM]

[dramblersanonymous]

I wouldn't worry too much. The problem with whisky bottles on their side is that the high alcohol in the whisky begins to leech the oil out of the corks, whereas wine does not. When the oil leeches out, the cork drys and the spirit can start to change. This takes quite a long time. I think you'll be fine!

[Quaich1]

I agree with the previous posters. You should be okay. The temperature of the room where it was stored is of concern only with major variations in temp.
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

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Thanks everyone for your posts. Really appreciate it, this place is a real fountain of knowledge for a whisky novice like me.