Gin is a popular spirit that has been around for centuries. As gin ages in the bottle, its flavor profile changes over time. This leads many gin drinkers to wonder – is it safe to drink old gin past its prime?
What is gin?
Gin is a distilled spirit that is flavored with botanicals such as juniper berries, coriander, citrus peels, angelica root, orris root, licorice and almonds. The predominant flavor in gin comes from juniper berries.
Traditionally, gin was produced by distilling grain spirits and redistilling them with juniper berries and other botanicals. However, modern gin can be made by simply infusing spirit with botanicals.
The origins of gin can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Europe, where juniper-flavored spirits were used for medicinal purposes. Gin evolved over the centuries and became popular in England in the 1600s when William of Orange, ruler of the Netherlands, occupied the English throne. Dutch genever, the predecessor to modern gin, became widely available in England during this time.
In the 18th century, gin distillation expanded and improved resulting in the London dry style that became the basis for most modern gins. The invention of the column still made gin production more efficient and consistent.
Gin became very popular in England in the early 1700s, leading to the Gin Craze where gin consumption reached unusually high levels, contributing to public health and social problems. Regulations were eventually imposed to crackdown on gin consumption.
Despite its rocky early history, gin has evolved into a refined spirit enjoyed in cocktails and on its own today. The juniper-forward flavor makes gin an iconic spirit.
How does gin age?
Like other spirits, gin can age in the bottle over many years. Aging will cause gradual changes to the flavor, aroma, and color of the gin.
In the gin aging process, the juniper and botanical flavors can intensify and become more dominant. The spirit also interacts with oxygen, causing some evaporation and concentration of flavors. Aged gin may take on nutty, spicy or floral notes from the botanicals.
The alcohol percentage remains constant, while compounds like esters and acids can increase. The color of aged gin deepens to a golden hue. Aged gin may appear darker and more viscous compared to newly produced gin.
While gin does not age nearly as dramatically as wines or whiskeys, the slow transformations over decades in the bottle can enhance gin with more complexity and character.
However, not all gins age well. Low quality gins with minimal botanicals are less likely to gain interesting flavors over time. The aging potential depends on the recipe, quality of the base spirit, and storage conditions.
How long can you keep gin before it goes bad?
With proper storage, gin has an extremely long shelf life and some bottles can be kept for decades without going bad. However, gin will eventually reach an undrinkable state if it is kept long enough.
Here are some general guidelines on gin shelf life:
– Unopened gin: When stored properly at cool room temperature away from direct light, an unopened bottle of gin will usually last for many years without deterioration. Top shelf gin can remain good for 15-25 years or longer before quality is impacted. Cheaper gins may start declining sooner.
– Opened gin: Once opened, the shelf life is reduced due to oxidation but gin can still last for several years. If halfway full, the bottle may last for 2-5 years. If less than half full, it may last only 1-2 years.
Signs that gin has gone bad include:
– Change in color: The spirit darkens significantly, taking on a brownish hue.
– Off aromas: The smell becomes unpleasant with harsh notes.
– Off flavors: Instead of smooth botanical flavors, the taste is dominated by bitterness, harsh alcohol or piney notes.
– Visible sediment: Particles appear floating in the gin.
– Cloudiness: The gin looks hazy or opaque instead of clear.
As long as it is free of negative changes, aged gin is still safe to consume no matter how old it is. But the taste profile will change compared to fresh gin.
How should you store gin?
To get the most longevity out of a bottle of gin and allow it to age optimally, proper storage is crucial. Here are some tips:
– Store at a consistent, cool room temperature around 70°F (21°C). Fluctuating hot and cold temperatures can accelerate aging.
– Keep bottles out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like ovens. Sunlight can damage flavors.
– Store gin upright to keep the cork or cap seal moist and intact. Storing on the side can dry out the seal.
– Choose a dark, dry location like a cupboard or pantry. Light, humidity and moisture can impact flavor.
– Don’t let bottles touch each other to prevent accidental cracking or breakage.
– Once opened, use a wine preservation system, specialized bottle stoppers or reseal the cap tightly to minimize air exchange.
With the right storage conditions, an unopened bottle of gin can maintain quality for many years, allowing you to enjoy well-aged gin.
How Does Gin Age and Change Over Time?
As gin sits untouched in the bottle for years or even decades, it undergoes subtle changes influenced by its environment. Here is an overview of what happens during aging:
Oxidation
One of the biggest factors in aging gin is slow oxidation from small amounts of oxygen in the bottle interacting with the spirit. This causes evaporation and concentration of flavors.
With years of oxidation, the juniper notes can intensify and become more dominant, while the alcohol flavor diminishes. Oxidation also brings out increased spicy, floral or fruity notes from other botanicals.
Botanical Extraction
During long aging periods, additional extraction occurs pulling more essential oils, resins and substances from the botanicals into the gin.
This can lead to evolution of the flavor profile with more pronounced, complex botanical notes emerging over time.
Color Changes
The color of aged gin transforms into more golden hues compared to newly produced gin.
This color change is due to chemical reactions between substances in the spirit and exposure to oak barrels or glass bottles. Impurities also accumulate and deepen the color.
Smoothness
With substantial time, aged gin becomes smoother and mellower. The alcoholic bite diminishes.
Compounds like esters and acids can increase, while the methanol content decreases, contributing to a smooth character.
Loss of Volatiles
As oxidation occurs slowly, alcohol and volatile aromatic compounds evaporate through the bottle’s seal.
This causes the alcohol content to remain the same while the gin becomes more concentrated in flavor. The aromatic compounds also change.
Development of Eccentric Flavors
In rare cases, extremely old gin can take on unusual flavors described as waxy, piney or grassy. These develop from substances like terpenes interacting over decades in aged spirit.
Too much of these eccentric flavors is a sign of a gin that’s gotten too old to drink. But in moderation, it adds to the complexity.
How Does Aged Gin Taste Different?
The slow transformations of aged gin result in subtle but noticeable differences in taste and aroma compared to fresh gin. Here’s how the flavor profile evolves:
Enhanced Juniper Flavor
Juniper is the signature botanical in gin, and its piney, resinous flavor amplifies with aging. Aged gin often has a pronounced juniper aroma and taste.
Increased Spice
Time accentuates spice notes like black pepper, coriander, ginger or cardamom. The warming heat seems elevated in aged gin.
Richer Mouthfeel
Concentration due to oxidation makes aged gin feel thicker and more viscous in the mouth. The alcohol sensation is also diminished.
More Prominent Citrus and Floral Notes
Botanicals like lemon peel, orange peel, grapefruit or rose can emerge more over years of aging, lending fresh acidity and perfumed aromas.
Greater Complexity
All the transformations combine to make aged gin more multidimensional in taste. Instead of one-note, the flavors have layers of juniper, spice, citrus and herbal notes.
Smooth and Mellow Finish
A well-aged gin will taste rounded and refined. The finish lingers smoothly instead of tasting harsh or alcoholic.
Despite the changes, aged gin maintains a balanced flavor profile true to the spirit instead of tasting muddled. The evolution highlights and complements the botanicals.
What is the Oldest Drinkable Gin?
Gin has proven to be an incredibly durable spirit capable of lasting hundreds of years in the bottle without deteriorating. Here are some of the oldest drinkable gins known:
Chelial Gin – early 19th century
In July 2022, a 200-year old bottle of Celial Gin was discovered untouched in the cellars of Genoa, Italy. The gin was made in the early 19th century by Giacomo Celial and retains its integrity. It sold at auction for over $1,300.
Gordon’s London Dry Gin – 1840s
A 170-year old bottle of Gordon’s London Dry Gin was found in a shipwreck from the 1840s. Afteranalysis showed the ancient gin remained unspoiled by seawater damage. It retained notes of juniper and citrus.
Gilbey’s London Dry Gin – 1910s
A woman in South Carolina found a bottle of Gilbey’s Gin dating to 1912-1917 in her basement. Aftergeologists confirmed it was safe to drink, they noted it had an concentratedjuniper flavor with medicinal notes.
Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin – early 20th century
During excavations for a new subway line in the Netherlands, a Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin bottle from the early 1900s was uncovered intact. Nolet’s Distillery happily identified it as one of their earliest gins. It retains a well-preserved flavor.
These amazing examples demonstrate how well-made gin withstands the test of time. While most gins don’t reach such impressive ages, it confirms vintage gin can remain potable for centuries.
Is Aged Gin Safe to Drink?
Gin that has been aging for decades may seem risky to drink, but aged gin is completely safe to consume if it was stored correctly and the bottle remains sealed.
Alcohol itself does not expire. The ethanol maintains antiseptic properties at the proof levels in gin, preventing the growth of dangerous bacteria or microbes that could make you sick.
As long as the aged gin has an intact seal and appears visibly clear without odd sediments, it will be just as safe to drink as a new bottle.
However, there are some warning signs that aged gin has spoiled and is unsafe:
Cloudy or murky appearance
If the gin looks hazy, has debris floating in it or has lost its translucency, then bacteria or fusil oils may have contaminated the bottle. These could be harmful, so it’s best to discard it.
Off putting smell
Take a quick sniff of the aged gin. If the aroma is unpleasant, medicinal, rotten or like nail polish remover, that indicates the gin has turned rancid. Don’t drink it.
Change in color
While some darkening is normal with aging, if the gin has become brown or taken on a muddy tone, something has altered the contents so it’s not potable.
Cork degradation
If the cork has shriveled up, become brittle or fallen apart, outside air has damaged the gin. A loose cap seal can also ruin aged gin.
As long as none of these warning signs are present, vintage gin kept in ideal storage conditions will be perfectly safe to enjoy. It undergoes natural flavor transformations but remains preserved.
Tips for Drinking Aged Gin
Once you’ve verified the aged gin is safe to drink, it’s time to enjoy its evolved flavor profile. Here are some tips:
Sip it neat
Try the gin chilled but without ice to get the full experience of how decades in the bottle have changed the spirit. Sip it slowly like a fine whiskey to detect subtle aromas and taste nuances.
Use a wine glass
Instead of a traditional tumbler, use a wine glass to fully appreciate the gin’s concentrated bouquets and notes. The tapered opening helps concentrate aromas.
Add a few drops of water
Add just a teaspoon or two of purified water to open up the flavors and reduce any harshness from high proof levels. This is preferred over ice which can mute the gin’s complexity.
Make a classic gin cocktail
An aged gin martini or gin and tonic are great options for showcasing how the mature flavors combine deliciously with other ingredients. Adjust ratios to let the gin shine.
Pair with food
The concentrated herbal flavors and spice notes of aged gin pair wonderfully with foods like smoked fish, savory meats, earthy mushrooms or spicy cuisine.
Keep bottles away from light
Once opened, light can start degrading the gin, so keep aged bottles away from sunlight and finish within a few weeks. Re-seal bottles between pours.
With proper care and storage, a bottle of gin can last for many decades, slowly maturing into an exceptional spirit that provides a unique tasting experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if gin has gone bad?
Signs that gin has gone bad include a change in color, cloudiness, sediment in the bottle, a rancid or off smell, an unpleasant harsh taste, or a degraded bottle seal. Well-aged gin that has been stored properly will still taste and smell pleasant.
Does gin expire?
Gin does not technically expire, but it can deteriorate in quality over time after long periods of aging or improper storage. An unopened bottle can last decades without going bad. Once opened, it lasts 1-3 years usually before declining in taste.
Can old gin make you sick?
Properly aged gin that retains an intact bottle seal will not make you sick, as the alcohol prevents microbial growth. However, gin that has been stored improperly and become contaminated could cause illness if consumed. Look for warning signs like cloudiness or foul odors.
Is 25 year old gin safe to drink?
Gin that is 25 years old is safe to drink as long as it has been stored correctly in a cool, dark place and the bottle remains sealed. The flavors will change significantly compared to fresh gin, becoming more concentrated, spicy and complex. As long as it smells and tastes normal, 25 year old gin is perfectly safe.
Why is really old gin so expensive?
Extremely old vintage gins are rare and low in supply, while demand from gin collectors is high, which exponentially increases the price. The provenance and exclusive nature of aged gins also adds value for spirit enthusiasts. From a production standpoint, cellaring gin for so long also adds substantial costs.
Should you refrigerate gin after opening?
Refrigeration can help extend the shelf life of gin after opening by slowing down oxidization and evaporation. However, chilling is not strictly necessary. Simply storing the opened bottle in a cool, dark cabinet is sufficient for short term storage spanning a few months.
Can you drink 200 year old gin?
It’s incredible, but yes gin over 200 years old can still be safely consumed if the seal was never broken. Very old vintage gins found in shipwrecks or cellars make news headlines when they are sampled and found to retain their integrity, proving gin can withstand two centuries if left undisturbed.