How do you store your whisky?

To answer my own question - at the moment I store the bottles in my living room without the tubes/boxes as seen in this picture: lh3.googleusercontent.com/_pO6EwsUgpz4/… but was wondering if it would be better to find the tubes/boxes and place the bottles back in them as this room is south facing, although they can't be reached by direct sunlight.

I usually keep them in their tubes and boxes that they come in. I know it doesn't really look the best on the shelf, but sunlight does change the whisky so in an order to minimize the effects I just keep them in their boxes.

I keep my whiskies in the tubes/boxes/cardboards. Doesn't look perfect, but then again I'm not (yet) displaying them in any fancy spot of the apartment.

@ProsperoDK I store mine in my darkroom. It stays cool and dark and has a lock on the door.

I have a shelf inside a wide closet with doors that never gets any sunlight in my basement where the temp stays right around 58 F year round. I display open bottles outside and right in front of their boxes. I try to finish a bottle within a few weeks of opening it on the idea that, once opened it'll degrade within a few short months. Sunlight will age anything.

I have two places to store whisky. In my cabinet in the living room, they are behind closed doors out of direct sunlight. That's where I keep my open bottles without tubes/boxes. In my study, however, I have bottles on display, especially my Auchentoshan Collection. That means the bottles stand in front of their tubes/boxes. But again, no direct sunlight can reach the bottles.

Thank you for all your answers. Although I asked here I had pretty much decided to find all the tubes/boxes and place the bottles back in them. So know my "whisky cabinet" looks like this before and after picture - picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/…

There was only 4 bottles for which I didn't have a tube/box but I had 2 tubes from empty bottles that fit 2 of the bottles and the other 2 bottles got placed in the back out of direct light.

/René

I store my bottles in a cabinet with doors, void of sunlight exposure. Once I open a bottle, I generally discard the box/tube. Unopened bottles stored in the bunker remain in their box/tube. This system makes it easier for me to identify inventory and quickly access opened bottles.

One empty tube I have saved is a Laphroaig tube. I throw my pocket change into the tube. Once filled, I'll use the "found money" to buy a bottle from my wish list.

@HP12 wrote "One empty tube I have saved is a Laphroaig tube. I throw my pocket change into the tube. Once filled, I'll use the "found money" to buy a bottle from my wish list."

This is brilliant. I'm starting this tonight. I hate carrying change and can't imagine a better use for it.

@ProsperoDK. I'd like to spend some time alone with your cabinet. Very impressive.

@ProsperoDK Looking at your shelving unit, I was suprised to see that I own one almost identical with the only discerning factor being the colour. I have my whiskies situated in the basement with my workspace and smallish library where I think seems to be the perfectly accessible place for all encounters. The only cases I do keep are either large clasp held boxes for future transport or sturdy cases that are not too space consuming. Keeping five boxes and a wooden wine box seem to work well.

For me generally I would place the bottle back into the box after pouring myself a dram. Bottles are stored back into their own boxes, so as to keep them away from any lights in general. I'm embarking on a new project. Gonna custom make a mobile whisky cabinet (since I won't have a huge collection, just looking to make something that holds about 20 odd bottles). Will post some pixs when its done. :)

@HP12 I employ a similar programme, however it seems that my "found change" goes towards paying off the credit card that I used to buy the bottle from the wishlist ahead of time...

At present i take my bottles out of the cases and leave them on show on a cabinet i have, except for a couple of the more expensive bottles i've bought which remain in their boxes. Not sure why i've done that, i guess it's because the cases are generally good quality and nicer to look at as the more money is spent on the bottle!

Upthread (and yes, a few years ago), @HP12 and @Wodha talked about using old tubes for change banks.

My favorite use for an old tube is storing shards of peat briquettes. I made these from breaking apart some big briquettes like they sell at Irish gas stations (or over Amazon, for those of us not blessed to be in Ireland). I toss them onto a burning candle to get the peat-smoke smell in my house. The tube I use is from a bottle of Connemara Cask Strength, which makes sense both thematically and practically—it's metal, so good for containing some gritty dirty business.

Since day one I've always kept them in my cabinet in the tubes or boxes they come packaged in. They are literally stored in complete darkness at all times. Temperatures haven't had a direct impact on them (in regards to taste) to this day (crosses fingers) probably because their usually drank within a few months to 1-2 years of purchase.

There was a terrific write up on temperatures and how they affect spirits from rums, brandy, whiskies, etc online a couple years back. A great read if you can find it.

In general just avoid drastic temperature strings and direct sunlight and you really should be fine.

Impressive Collection ProsperoDK. I store my bottles on a shelf in the pantry with closed doors. I keep the tubes and boxes but store the bottles outside of them. Too much of a hassle to unbox everytime you want a dram. I thougt about displaying the nicer ones in the Bookshelf but i don't want them out in the sun

My bottles are all in two wooden cabinets (one is shared with my shrinking wine collection and other misc. spirits), all behind closed doors. My kids are still in the single digits so no need for locks. I suspect they will never get into the collection without permission.

I keep all in the boxes or canisters they came in until I open them. Once opened, most of the simple cardboard containers go into the recycling bin. Sometimes the larger bottles (1L) won't fit in my "open bottle" shelf if they remain , but I usually keep the bottles in their canisters until i decant into a smaller bottle.

I usually keep the bottles of decanted malts until the contents are done, but the packaging is usually discarded at that point.

In the tube/cardbox - provided there is one - in a cabinet out of contact with direct sunlight. I used to think that I should display the bottles, but I'd rather just pick one down and take it out if someone is curious.

I use a combination of both. Bottles are displayed in the cabinet. My very expensive and rare bottles are kept in their containers. Duplicates are kept in their containers and are packed away until needed.

Like HP 12 wrote, I keep only the unopened bottles in their boxes. I use a thick wooden cabinet were no sunlight can penetrate. Another thing is that boxes occupy more space (slightly), and to be frank, I thought you youn't be able to fit all your bottles in their boxes back in your cabinet ProsperoDK!!

@PeterG7 Exactly how I and probably most of store our whiskey. I couldn't have said it any better.

I have always tried to keep my bottles in the containers they come in, it is all part of the enjoyment for me, the wooden boxes and tubes can make a good display, also this keeps the bottles s little safer. Recently my eldest daughter moved out do her bedroom was converted into my whisky room... ocdwhisky.wordpress.com/2015/09/…

@sorren I love your whisky room (loads of Auchentoshan there too!). I have recently renovated my house and it has now truly become a whisky temple (if I say so myself). Photos can be found on my Toshan Man website at: markdermul.be/toshanman/20150730.html. Enjoy!

For those wondering: the new whisky display is two floors: 3 meters wide and 5 meters high :)

Mark that display is mouth watering.. I see you acquired another another 50 yo, your one lucky person ( not exactly the word I first used :-) ) I'm sure it is one hell of a dram.. The toshans on display are only the unopened ones and distillery only bottles. The indies are on top and behind, unfortunately there is not enough room ( still )

Wow, @markjedi1. That really is something else!

@markjedi1 Looks like a museum of lowland whisky. You should charge an entrance fee for whisky tourists lol

That's not a bad idea mark, you could offer a free dram with every tour .. :-) ocdwhisky.wordpress.com/2015/09/…

@markjedi1 that is an awesome endeavour, no way would my wife allow me to renovate with the idea of having a whole wall devoted too whisky.