Brandy barely goes bad if you store it well. But an unopened and an opened bottle behave differently. Here is how long brandy keeps and what harms it.
An unopened bottle
An unopened bottle of brandy has, in effect, no expiry date. At 40% ABV nothing can grow in it, and without air it does not oxidise. If the cork is intact and the bottle stands in a cool, dark place, the brandy will keep for many years.
Brandy does not age in the bottle, though. Ageing happens only in the oak barrel and stops the moment the brandy is bottled. A twenty-year-old brandy that sits on a shelf for ten more years is still twenty years old, and just as good.
An opened bottle
Once opened, air gets into the bottle and the aroma slowly starts to change. The brandy will not become unsafe, but over time it loses some of its nuance. The less brandy left in the bottle, the more air it holds and the faster this happens.
A good rule: finish an opened bottle within a year. If less than half is left, don't wait too long, or pour it into a smaller bottle so there is less air.
How to store brandy
- Upright. Unlike wine, brandy is stored standing up. Strong spirit in constant contact with the cork breaks it down, and the cork may start to let air in.
- In the dark. Sunlight spoils the aroma. A cupboard or cabinet is better than an open shelf by the window.
- At a steady temperature. Ordinary room temperature, 15–20 °C, without sharp swings. Keep the bottle away from radiators and the stove.
- Tightly closed. Close the bottle right after each pour.
Brandy does not need the fridge. It is served at 18–20 °C, where the aroma opens best.
How to store TUFF
Keep a bottle of TUFF upright, in its box or case, which protects it from light. When the brandy is finished, the hollow tuff cap stays with you. Keep it as a memento rather than throwing it away.
Read more: How to drink Armenian brandy · How brandy is made
Questions and answers
Does brandy have an expiry date?
An unopened bottle stored somewhere cool and dark has, in effect, no expiry date. An opened bottle is best finished within a year.
How long does opened brandy last?
It won't go bad, but the aroma slowly fades. Finish an opened bottle within a year, and sooner if less than half is left.
Should brandy be stored upright or on its side?
Upright. On its side, the strong spirit touches the cork and breaks it down over time.
Does brandy age in the bottle?
No. Ageing happens only in the oak barrel. Brandy does not get older in the bottle.
