The 7 Best Whiskey Decanters in 2022 (2023)

FAQs

How do I choose a whiskey decanter? ›

You'll want a decanter with a good, sturdy, airtight seal. When you transfer the whiskey from the bottle to the decanter, you're already taking it out of its optimal environment (the original bottle), so you don't want to exacerbate anything by providing a constant flow of oxygen due to a faulty seal.

A decanter is most widely used for storing and serving wine, especially red ones. However, decanters are also used with different spirits, including whiskey, tequila, brandy, vodka, cognac, and scotch.

Oxygen Exposure Doesn't Affect Whiskey Like Wine

Many wine drinkers believe that this helps to open up the flavour of the wine. However, whiskey doesn't really gain anything from this exposure to oxygen. Pouring whiskey from the bottle into a decanter will do nothing to change the flavour.

Glass decanters are typically the least expensive and least durable. However, they generally take to automatic dishwashers better than crystal decanters, mostly due to their thick walls. Crystal decanters are quite durable. Crystal decanters can be mouth-blown or made from a mold.

However, can you keep whiskey in a decanter? Yes. You can keep the whiskey in the decanter overnight. Only, you cannot assure that it would be of the same quality as the newly opened bottle.

The gem of them all is the Tequila Ley .925 Diamond Sterling decanter and is known as the world's most expensive decanter. It is sold at US$3.5 million for a decanter with a capacity of fewer than 1.4 liters.

So yes, decanter shapes can have a certain impact on your wine, though in very small increments. You really don't have to decant most wines for more than 30 minutes, so we'd recommend you go with your design preference, and checking account balance, on this one.

The easiest way to identify lead crystal is by tapping it gently with a knife—if it makes a drawn-out chiming sound, chances are that it's lead crystal. Regular glass tends to make a duller, briefer sound when struck.

How long does liquor stay good in a decanter? If you're using a decanter with an airtight seal, the spirits inside will last just as long as they would in the original glass alcohol container. For wine, that means only a few days, but vodka, brandy, and other spirits could last for years.

Whiskeys stored in the decanter can last between two months to three years, depending on how much alcohol there is in the lead-free decanter. Other factors that can make the shelf life of whiskey longer in the decanter are temperature fluctuations, humidity, light, and if the decanter has an airtight seal.

Do you pour the whole bottle into a decanter? ›

To avoid pouring sediment into the decanter, always leave a bit of liquid in the bottle. You can decant your wine a couple of hours before you plan to drink it. However, keep in mind that each wine has different decanting times.

It is okay to swirl and shake your decanter as this gets more air into the wine. When pouring from the bottle into the decanter however, it is advised to pour at a 45 degree angle against the opposite side the decanter neck, allowing it to follow the curves of the glass so it doesn't froth the surface of the wine.

If you're decanting to aerate, then I wouldn't use the stopper. But if you're decanting a more delicate, older wine off of its sediment, a stopper might come in handy to limit the wine's exposure to air so that it doesn't fade too quickly. It's also good if you're worried about fruit flies.

If stored in the decanter, you'll want to be sure to enjoy it within 2 to 3 days. Storing wine any longer than that once it has been opened is not recommended.

This process enables heightening of the aroma therefore establishing more flavour in the wine. However, with whiskey it doesn't tend to react in the same way when exposed to oxygen. Pouring your finest bottle of Irish whiskey into your decanter will lead to no notable or positive change in the flavour.

Made with lead-free crystal glass, the Cristal d'Aqrues collections truly celebrate the “French art of living”.

Let It Breathe

“Pour it into your glass and let it sit. Even five minutes is good,” he says. “Giving it a chance to get some air, letting it open up, will make it easier for those wonderful flavors of caramel and wood and sweetness to emerge. “Then take little sips.

Beyond that, whiskey is much more stable in a decanter than wine. Look for a decanter with a solid stopper and stable bottom to ensure your liquid will stay safe wherever you set it. Of course, always make sure that the bottle is “lead-free” as many lead crystal decanters still remain on the market.

There are different shapes to choose from like standard, U-shaped, bell-shaped and more. You can choose one depending on how much surface area your wine needs. Also, consider how easily you can pour the wine after decanting.

Some decanters out there are made around 750ml or even less and we advise to stay away from those. Not only will they look small and unimpressive but the size also just isn't practical. We strongly recommend buying a decanter that is over 900ml.

Is Bourbon better in a decanter? ›

What does a decanter do for bourbon? In terms of flavor, decanters will do nothing to improve your bourbon because it doesn't provide an absolute airtight seal. Instead, keeping it in a decanter can deteriorate the bourbon's flavor, especially if kept there for a long time.

Unlike wine, which oxidizes into vinegar in just a few days, spirits can last years in a decanter. Best practice, though, is to try and consume your decanted spirit sooner than that that. Prolonged storage (that's over two years) in a decanter will probably produce some discoloration and loss of flavor intensity.

Because crystal contains lead or other metals, it tends to be heavier in weight than a standard glass of the same design. Crystal is also able to refract light while glass will typically lack that ability. Glass, on the other hand, is a transparent material that can be melted down and molded into solid shapes.

Sure can! Start with hot water and powdered dishwasher detergent. Let soak for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. If this doesn't work, fill the decanter with WARM or HOT white vinegar and let sit overnight. Scrub, wash and rinse.

A whiskey decanter serves two main purposes: to allow aromas to oxidize and to serve as a more appealing vessel than a branded bottle. Decanters are used for other spirits, as well, such as tequila, with similar styles and shapes.

Why is it important to seal a whiskey decanter? When you want to preserve the quality of a drink, the best way to achieve that is to minimize oxidation as much as possible. Oxidation diminishes flavor when the alcohol interacts with oxygen.

A wine decanter's primary purpose is to store and serve wine and allow it to breathe. An adequate surface area exposed to air is crucial to the oxygenating process. Sediment and crumbled cork are often found in red wines. Pouring into a decanter can help to filter and remove any unwanted residue.

Whisky lasts indefinitely. So even if you have an unopened bottle from the '70s, it can still be opened and consumed a decade from now. It may slightly change its taste over time, but it won't spoil. Some whisky houses put a “best by” on the bottle, but that's usually just for formality.

Unlike wine, an unopened bottle of whiskey does not get better the longer it sits on your shelf. It can sit there for years, even decades, as long as it's stored in the right environment, particularly the right temperature (room temperature, around 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit).

What liquid goes in a decanter? ›

Depending on its purpose, a decanter can hold a variety of liquids, making it a highly functional vessel! You can use a glass decanter to aerate and decant wine, as well as to store other liquors like whiskey, bourbon, tequila, vodka, gin, or rum.

One good way to double decant is to use a mason jar. A one-liter jar is a good choice but you can use the smaller one. Of course, you may have to sacrifice the amount of wine you can decant. The good news, though, is you can use a few mason jars to decant a bottle then pour it back later.

If you enjoy red wine or drink more affordable wine on a regular basis, then using a decanter is a great idea. Decanting may not look like much, but the increased oxygen exposure to wine greatly improves the taste by softening astringent tannins and letting fruit and floral aromas come out.

How Long is Too Long? As long as you're drinking your wines within a few of hours of being decanted you should be fine. Of course, there are a few special exceptions: Old Wines: Some old wines are very delicate and rapidly decay after being opened.

Vinegar is a great solution for cleaning decanters. Just pour vinegar and hot water into the decanter and let it sit for 10 minutes. Don't use boiling water as it may be too hot for the delicate glass. Drain, rinse, and the wine should scrub off easily.

So yes, decanter shapes can have a certain impact on your wine, though in very small increments. You really don't have to decant most wines for more than 30 minutes, so we'd recommend you go with your design preference, and checking account balance, on this one.

Glencairn Glass

It is the primary glass type used at most distilleries. This glass has a short, thick base with a bulbous shape and a narrow rim. The base and bulbous shape make it perfect for swirling the whiskey, while the narrow rim keeps the aroma in as you nose the spirit.

What does a decanter do for bourbon? In terms of flavor, decanters will do nothing to improve your bourbon because it doesn't provide an absolute airtight seal. Instead, keeping it in a decanter can deteriorate the bourbon's flavor, especially if kept there for a long time.

How long does liquor stay good in a decanter? If you're using a decanter with an airtight seal, the spirits inside will last just as long as they would in the original glass alcohol container. For wine, that means only a few days, but vodka, brandy, and other spirits could last for years.

A simple test to know if a decanter has lead is to hold it against the light. If rainbows form on it, it means that it works like a prism, giving it a high reflective index that indicates lead oxide. Lead crystal decanters are also heavier than a glass one of the same or larger size.

Should whisky glasses be thick or thin? ›

People enjoy chugging beer, so a thick mug makes the act easy, but you do not speedily gulp whiskey. Instead, you sip quality whisky, so the best whiskey glasses or bourbon glasses are fashioned with a thin rim which makes the entire whiskey tasting experience not only easier but more pleasurable.

Your choice in glassware will most certainly influence the smells and tastes you perceive. It's crucial to keep in mind that you want a glass that will concentrate vapors to allow you to really “nose” the whiskey. Again, it may sound snooty, but it really does make a difference.