Quick Answer
An opened bottle of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum will stay good for 1-2 years after opening if stored properly. After opening, it’s best to store it sealed tightly at room temperature away from direct light and heat. Over time, the flavor may fade slightly but it will remain safe to consume during that 1-2 year period if stored properly.
How Does Liquor Go Bad?
Unlike many other foods and drinks, liquor like rum, vodka, tequila, and whiskey do not spoil easily and have a very long shelf life. There are a few reasons for this:
- High alcohol content – Most liquors are 35-40% alcohol by volume. This high alcohol content prevents microbial growth and acts as a preservative.
- Lack of nutrients – Microbes need nutrients like proteins, sugars, and water to survive and multiply. Liquor is very low in nutrients that bacteria and mold would need.
- Acidity – Many types of liquor are acidic in nature, which creates an inhospitable environment for microbes.
So even after opening, liquor can last for years when stored properly. The main factors that can cause opened liquor to deteriorate faster are exposure to oxygen, light, heat fluctuations, or contamination.
Does Liquor Go Bad Once Opened?
Once opened, liquor is more susceptible to deterioration due to oxidation and evaporation, but it does not automatically go bad or become unsafe to drink right away.
Here are some of the main ways an opened bottle of liquor like rum can change over time:
- Evaporation – As air replaces the liquid in the bottle, some alcohol evaporates, slowly lowering the ABV over many years.
- Oxidation – Exposure to oxygen can slowly change the flavor and aroma of liquor, making it taste “flat.”
- Loss of flavor – The complex aromas and flavors of liquor may fade gradually.
- Discoloration – Some liquors may darken slowly as they are exposed to light and air.
These changes happen very slowly in an uncontaminated, properly stored bottle. A bottle stored for 1-2 years may exhibit slight fading of aroma/flavor, but the liquor itself remains perfectly safe to consume.
How to Tell if Opened Liquor Has Gone Bad
It’s pretty rare for liquor stored at room temperature to actually spoil or become unsafe. Here are a few ways you can identify if an opened bottle has gone bad:
- Appearance – Liquor will get darker and cloudier over time as compounds oxidize when exposed to air. If dramatic changes happen within a few months, it may be contaminated.
- Aroma – A very pronounced off-smell, like sour or rotten odors, usually signals contamination.
- Flavor – A sharp, unpleasant flavor is a sign of spoilage. Fresh liquor should taste smooth and consistent.
- Texture – If the liquor takes on a thick, syrupy consistency, that indicates it may have gone bad.
- Bottle – Look at the bottle closely. Bulging or leaking could mean pressure buildup from contaminants.
If you notice any of these signs, err on the side of caution and discard the liquor. But in most cases, an opened bottle showing gradual quality loss over 1-2 years is still perfectly safe to consume.
How to Store Opened Liquor
To maximize the shelf life of opened liquor, follow these storage guidelines:
- Seal the bottle tightly – Replace liquor bottle caps or corks securely after each use to minimize air exposure.
- Keep bottles upright – This prevents leakage and keeps the air volume minimal.
- Use smaller bottles – Transfer liquor to smaller bottles to reduce the amount of airspace.
- Keep away from light – Store in a cool, dark place like a cupboard to avoid light exposure.
- Maintain room temperature – Don’t store liquor above 70°F or in areas with big temperature fluctuations.
- Keep bottle clean – Clean the lip and mouth of the bottle regularly to avoid buildup of residue.
Proper storage makes opened liquor last 1-2 years or more before any major quality deterioration occurs. Refrigeration is not required – simply keep the bottle sealed in a cool, dark cabinet at room temp.
How Long Does Captain Morgan Spiced Rum Last?
Captain Morgan Original Spiced rum is a 70 proof (35% ABV) liquor flavored with spices and other natural flavors. Like most liquors, it has an incredibly long shelf life both unopened and opened. Here’s how long Captain Morgan lasts in different conditions:
- Unopened – At least 10-20 years stored at room temperature in an unopened bottle.
- After Opening – An opened bottle will remain good for 1-2 years when stored properly in a cool, dark place.
- After Mixing – In cocktails or mixer drinks, the shelf life is about 5-7 days refrigerated.
The shelf life of Captain Morgan rum depends more on storage conditions than an expiration date. Over time, the color and flavor intensity may fade a bit, but it will remain safe to drink if it’s been stored sealed in a cool, dark place.
How to Tell if Opened Captain Morgan Has Gone Bad
You can test whether an opened bottle of Captain Morgan has gone bad using these simple steps:
- Check the appearance – it should be a rich amber gold color. Darkening, cloudiness or particles can be a bad sign.
- Smell the rum – it should have aromas of vanilla, caramel and warm baking spices. A very strong alcohol smell means evaporation has occurred.
- Taste a small sip – it should taste smooth, moderately sweet, and spicy. Rancid, sharp tastes signal spoilage.
- Examine the bottle and cap for damage, leaks, mold growth etc. This can allow contamination.
- If Captain Morgan ever smells or tastes distinctly unpleasant, it’s best to discard it.
With proper storage, it’s unlikely Captain Morgan would actually spoil within the 1-2 year period after opening. But these tests can confirm if your opened bottle still tastes fresh and enjoyable.
Does Captain Morgan Rum Go Bad Once Opened?
No, Captain Morgan rum does not instantly go bad or become unsafe to consume right after opening. Like other quality liquors, Captain Morgan lasts for 1-2 years at room temperature after opening.
That’s because the 35% alcohol content prevents microbial growth, and the bottle itself provides protection from oxygen and light exposure. As long as you store it properly sealed in a cool, dark cabinet, opened Captain Morgan will stay drinkable for a long time.
Over the 1-2 year period, you may notice very subtle fading of the vibrant amber color and some muting of the robust vanilla, caramel and spice flavors. But the rum will still be completely safe to consume – it does not go “bad” in any sense of growing mold, bacteria or making you sick.
To maximize shelf life after opening, be sure to seal the bottle tightly after each use, keep it upright to minimize air exposure, and store away from heat and light. Follow this and your Captain Morgan can last for many months or even years before flavor decline is noticeable.
How to Tell When Opened Captain Morgan Goes Bad
It takes a very long time for opened Captain Morgan rum to actually spoil to the point of being unsafe to drink. Here are some sure signs your opened bottle has gone bad:
- Dramatic discoloration – Turns dark brown, cloudy or has sediment
- Strong unpleasant odors – Smells like nail polish remover, rotten vegetables or vinegar
- Off tastes – Sharp, unpleasant metallic or bitter taste
- Texture changes – Becomes syrupy or thicker than normal
- Bottle bloating – Bulging or leaking bottle from gas pressure inside
- Mold – Any fuzzy or slimy growth in or around bottle mouth
If you notice any of these warning signs, you should certainly discard your Captain Morgan right away. With proper storage however, it’s very unlikely your opened rum would deteriorate to this extent within 1-2 years. A small fade in aroma or flavor is normal, but the rum shouldn’t go truly bad.
Does Captain Morgan Rum Expire?
Captain Morgan rum does not really expire in the traditional sense. With its 35% ABV alcohol content acting as a natural preservative, Captain Morgan can last for many years without spoiling or becoming unsafe to drink.
Here are some general Captain Morgan rum expiration guidelines:
- Unopened bottle – At least 10-20 years if stored at room temperature in a cool, dark place.
- Opened bottle – Remains good for 1-2 years after opening when properly stored.
- Mixers/cocktails – Shelf life is 3-5 days refrigerated once added to mixer drinks.
So an unopened bottle of Captain Morgan will stay good for decades past any “best by” date wording printed on the bottle label. And an opened bottle lasts 1-2 years stored properly at room temp.
Look for changes in aroma, taste, color and bottle condition rather than relying on the expiration date. As long as it looks, smells and tastes normal, your Captain Morgan rum should be perfectly safe to enjoy within the shelf life limits mentioned.
Tips for Maximizing Captain Morgan Shelf Life
Here are some useful tips for getting the longest possible shelf life out of your bottle of Captain Morgan spiced rum after opening it:
- Use a smaller bottle – Limit air exposure by transferring rum to smaller bottles
- Seal tightly – Always reclose bottle tightly after pouring
- Keep cool & dark – Store rum at room temp away from heat/light
- Keep upright – Store bottle vertically to minimize surface area exposed to oxygen
- Clean bottle – Use soap & water to wash bottle mouth/rim before resealing
- Watch for sediment – Some particulate matter may form but doesn’t necessarily mean spoilage
- Trust your senses – Check aroma and taste periodically for any “off” flavors
Following these simple guidelines, you can expect your opened bottle of Captain Morgan to retain optimum quality and flavor for at least 1-2 years after opening, even longer if stored perfectly. The rum won’t truly “expire” during that time as long as you store it properly.
FAQs
Can you drink Captain Morgan after it expires?
Most expiry dates on Captain Morgan bottles are simply “best by” dates indicating peak quality. Captain Morgan lasts for well over 1-2 years after expiry if the bottle remains sealed. An opened bottle also lasts 1-2 years past its expiry. So expired Captain Morgan rum is still safe to drink as long as it was stored properly and there are no signs of spoilage.
Does Captain Morgan need to be refrigerated after opening?
No, unlike many foods, refrigeration is not required to extend the shelf life of opened Captain Morgan rum. Simply store the tightly sealed bottle in a cool, dark cabinet at room temperature. Refrigeration can actually cause flavor-dulling condensation inside the bottle. As long as it’s kept out of heat and light, opened Captain Morgan lasts 1-2 years without refrigeration.
Can Captain Morgan go bad if left open?
Like any liquor, Captain Morgan can go bad eventually if left open too long. Oxidation from long-term air exposure causes the rum to degrade and take on unpleasant flavors. An open bottle left for many years may evaporate significantly lowering ABV. For best quality, always seal the Captain Morgan bottle tightly after each use. Follow proper storage and it can last 1-2 years after opening.
How long does spiced rum last in the fridge?
Properly stored in a tightly sealed bottle, Captain Morgan spiced rum lasts 1-2 years in the fridge after opening. The cold refrigerator temperatures help slow down oxidation reactions very slightly compared to room temperature storage. But fridge storage is not necessary. As long as the bottle is sealed, Captain Morgan enjoys a similar 1-2 year shelf life when stored at room temp in a dark cabinet too.
Can old Captain Morgan make you sick?
Captain Morgan rum that has gone significantly beyond its 1-2 year shelf life after opening can potentially make you sick. Severely aged rum may have very high methanol levels from evaporation. It can also develop bacterial contamination in poorly stored bottles. Stick within the 1-2 year limit and discard any Captain Morgan that shows signs of aging like changes in taste, color or sediment.
In Summary
An opened bottle of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum will keep well for 1-2 years after opening when stored properly in a cool, dark place at room temperature. Over time, some fading of aroma and flavor may occur but the rum will remain safe to drink during this period. Follow proper storage and Captain Morgan can last for months or even years before deteriorating significantly in quality. Always inspect opened bottles periodically and discard any rum that has developed unpleasant odors, taste, appearance or texture. With optimum storage conditions, Captain Morgan rum can retain good quality and taste for a very long shelf life after opening.