The Right Way to Store Your Whiskey (From the People Who Make It)

You don’t have to be a collector to care about how you store your whiskey. Whether you’ve got one bottle on your shelf or a small army lined up at home, taking care of your whiskey helps it taste the way we intended when we bottled it right here in South Bend.

Here’s how to keep your whiskey happy and a few mistakes that’ll do it dirty.

1. Don’t Store Whiskey on Its Side

We know it looks cool next to the wine bottles, but whiskey’s a different story.

Because of its higher proof, whiskey can slowly break down a cork if it’s stored sideways. That leads to crumbling corks, too much air sneaking in, and a whole lot of disappointment later.

Our advice: let your bottles stand tall, corks upright and proud, just like a proper Hoosier pour.

2. Keep It Out of the Sun

Whiskey and sunlight don’t get along. UV rays can dull the color and throw off the flavor, which means that beautiful amber glow you love can turn flat fast. If your bottles are sitting in the sun like they’re working on a tan, move them to a shaded spot or a closed cabinet.

A little darkness keeps the character intact — same goes for people, really.

3. Watch the Temperature Swings

Indiana weather has a mind of its own, but your whiskey shouldn’t. When bottles heat up and cool down over and over, the liquid expands and contracts. That weakens the seal and speeds up oxidation, which changes the flavor.

Keep your bottles somewhere consistent — around 60 to 68°F is perfect. Not next to the stove, not in the garage, not on top of the fridge. Room temperature is your whiskey’s happy place.

4. Don’t Forget About the Cork

Even though whiskey stands upright, the cork still needs a little attention. Over time, it can dry out, shrink, and let air in. Every few months, tip the bottle just enough to wet the cork, then set it back up. Takes two seconds and saves you from a bottle gone bad. It’s a small move but has a big payoff.

5. Please, Don’t Freeze It

We get it, you like your whiskey cold. But storing it in the freezer mutes its flavors and messes with the texture.

If you like it chilled, chill your glass, not your bottle. Use whiskey stones or a big cube and keep the whiskey where it belongs: room temp, rich, and flavorful.

Final Pour

You don’t have to baby your whiskey — just treat it right.Keep it standing up, out of the sun, and away from wild temperature swings. That’s all it takes to make sure the last pour tastes just as good as the first.

We take care of the craft here at Indiana Whiskey. You just have to take care of the bottle.

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