Last Updated on November 5, 2023 by Lydia Martin
If you have a bottle of rum inside your cabinet that has been there for a few years, you may wonder if it’s still safe to drink. This confusion led most people to the question – does rum go bad?
Our team spent 24 hours gathering answers to all your questions.
Table of Contents
Rum: Does It Go Bad?
Does rum go bad? Here’s the truth. An unopened rum doesn’t go bad unless it is left exposed for a very long time. Rum is one of the distilled spirits. It has stable alcohol and strong spirits that means you can store it for many years and still be fine. No matter how long it’s kept inside your cabinet, it will be perfectly fine.
In short, rum can go bad. The term “bad” refers to the fact that it’ll not harm you while you are drinking.
Continue reading to learn more about rum storage, shelf life, and info about rums.
Its Shelf Life
Average Shelf Life
Substantially, the shelf life of rum is uncertain if it’s stored properly. As long as its cap is tightly sealed, it can be stored for many years. To prolong the life of your rum and maintain its quality, keep it in a place at room temperature, away from light as much as possible.
Of course, we store rum inside our cabinets or pantries, not in food keepers or food storage.
When Opened
After opening a rum bottle, it’s recommended to drink it right away or within six months because it can lose its smell, taste, and quality. You wouldn’t be happy with the taste of the rum if you didn’t store the opened bottle properly. So it’s better to drink it immediately. The faster, the better.
Unopened
Unopened rum has the potential to last forever, but it must be stored in the proper conditions. These conditions also apply when storing opened rum and can help it last much longer.
Just a friendly reminder that, unlike in wine and beer, base liquor does not age once bottled. Same with rum. Rum in an unopened bottle should taste the same today as it will in 20 years.
Why Does Rum Go Bad?
As mentioned earlier, rum can go bad, but the term “bad” is not as serious as you think. It just lessens the quality of the rum.
The reason behind this is because the liquid slowly evaporates when a bottle of a drink is not firmly sealed. Because alcohol evaporates faster than water, the rum becomes milder over time. Additionally, the oxidation process occurs. The combination of these two processes gradually alters the flavor of the beverage.
How To Tell If Your Liquor Went Bad
Rum, like other spirits, tends to decline in quality once it’s not stored properly. Strong spirits with a high alcohol content can kill most hostile germs and bacteria.
The expiration date on a bottle refers to the deterioration of the rum’s flavor. Pour a small amount of it into your mouth, smell it, and taste it. If you notice any visible signs of spoilage or a strange odor and taste, discard the liquid.
Tips On How To Store Your Rum
There are a few things to keep in mind when storing rum. Like any other spirit, you should store rum in a cool, dry place far from light. Keeping it inside the fridge won’t benefit the liquid.
Once a bottle is open, keep it tightly sealed to avoid oxidation. When rum is exposed to oxygen, it begins to oxidize, and eventually, the flavor changes. These effects occur at a much slower rate within a tightly closed bottle.
FAQs
How do I store an opened bottle of rum?
One way of storing an opened bottle of rum is to transfer it into a smaller bottle if it’s half-empty. More empty space in the bottle indicates a faster change in flavor. Moreover, we recommend using screw tops rather than natural cork – although natural corks are elegant-looking, they can’t extend the life of your rum.
Can an old rum make me sick?
No, an alcohol that has passed its expiration date does not make you sick. If you drink a bottle that has been open for more than a year, you’ll almost certainly notice a change in flavor. Alcohol does not expire to the point where it can make you sick. [1]
How hot can a bottle of rum be stored?
Some experts believe the ideal temperature range is between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The basic rule of thumb for common distilled and other spirits like whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, wine, and tequila is to keep them in a cool dark place. But, what’s the difference between rum and whiskey?
In Summary
To sum up, rum preserves for a long time and doesn’t go bad even after it’s been opened. Like wines, rums are safe to drink even after opening. The shelf life of rum can only last if it’s saved properly; if not, it loses its taste.
Also, remember that after opening a bottle of rum, close it tightly and transfer it into smaller bottles if it’s almost half-empty. Lastly, before serving or drinking an opened bottle of rum, make sure to taste it first.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-alcohol-expire#health-effects
As someone deeply entrenched in the world of spirits and liquor, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. My passion for the subject is not just theoretical; I've delved into the intricacies of distilled spirits, including the aging processes, flavor profiles, and the impact of storage conditions. Let's dissect the information presented in the article with a focus on rum:
Rum: Does It Go Bad?
The article begins by addressing a common concern: does rum go bad? It emphatically states that unopened rum does not go bad unless exposed for an extended period. This is rooted in the stability of alcohol and strong spirits in rum, making it suitable for long-term storage.
Shelf Life of Rum:
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Average Shelf Life:
- The article suggests that the shelf life of rum is uncertain if not stored properly. When tightly sealed, rum can last for many years. Proper storage conditions include room temperature and protection from light.
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When Opened:
- Once a rum bottle is opened, it is recommended to consume it within six months. Failure to do so may result in the loss of smell, taste, and overall quality. Unlike some other alcoholic beverages, base liquor, including rum, does not age once bottled.
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Unopened:
- Unopened rum has the potential to last indefinitely, given proper storage conditions. It emphasizes that rum in an unopened bottle should taste the same today as it will in 20 years.
Why Does Rum Go Bad?
The article explains that the term "bad" in this context refers to a reduction in the quality of the rum. The degradation occurs due to evaporation and oxidation processes, leading to a gradual alteration of the beverage's flavor.
How to Tell If Your Liquor Went Bad:
- Quality Decline:
- The decline in quality is linked to improper storage. The high alcohol content in rum can initially resist bacterial contamination, but the expiration date primarily pertains to flavor deterioration. Smelling and tasting the rum can reveal any noticeable signs of spoilage.
Tips on How to Store Your Rum:
- Storage Conditions:
- Rum, like other spirits, should be stored in a cool, dry place away from light. Once opened, tightly sealing the bottle is crucial to prevent oxidation, which can change the flavor at a slower rate in a tightly closed bottle.
FAQs:
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Storing an Opened Bottle:
- Transferring opened rum into a smaller bottle with less empty space is recommended to slow down flavor changes. Screw tops are preferred over natural corks for preserving the life of the rum.
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Can Old Rum Make You Sick?
- The article clarifies that an old rum, even past its expiration date, does not make you sick. While flavor changes are expected after a year of opening, alcohol does not expire to the point of causing illness.
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Ideal Storage Temperature:
- Some experts suggest an ideal temperature range of 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit for storing rum. This temperature range is in line with the general recommendations for various distilled spirits.
In Summary:
The conclusive remarks emphasize that rum, if stored properly, preserves well and does not go bad even after being opened. It draws a parallel with wines, asserting that rums are safe to drink post-opening. The shelf life of rum hinges on appropriate storage, and precautions such as tightly closing the bottle and transferring it to smaller bottles if partially empty are recommended. Lastly, a taste test before consumption is encouraged.
As a final note, the article references a healthline.com article for additional information on the expiration of alcohol, underlining the importance of consulting reliable sources for a comprehensive understanding of the topic.