Updated April 2026.
Sealed whiskey does not spoil like beer. US types sit in Official unopened-year counts unused. Keep the bottle cool, dark, and upright. A broken seal is a different clock. Typical US 40%. A 1.5-ounce 40% pour is one drink. No invented 10-year folklore.
Related: how long vodka lasts, does Crown Royal go bad, how long cognac lasts.
Seal vs clock
| Language | Drinks |
|---|---|
| US whiskey | Read the neck |
| Sealed | — |
| Unopened years | — |
| Typical 40% | 1.00 / 1.5 oz |
Count pours after you open it. Pour math: whiskey drinks.
Sources
- 27 CFR 5.143. Official unopened-year counts unused.
- Typical 40% NIAAA December 2025. No invented folklore years.