To cork or not to cork?

This is another subject which Connosrs have been discussing for years.

As a totally un-nostalgic whisky lover all I care about is a good seal to the bottle. I don't want even the possibility of a ruined bottle because of a loose or decomposing cork. I prefer a good quality screw cap to a cork, or a synthetic material cork-like plug to a true cork. My first choice is a good quality screw cap. (e.g. Yamazaki 12 screw cap)

Corks are cute and traditional and all that, but one single bottle of whisky ruined is not worth all of the corks in the world to me.

@Victor Even if that single bottle is Lambertus?

@Nozinan, who can measure the value of Lambertus, a bottle which has stimulated so much lively and enthusiastic attention?

@Victor I tend to agree with you. I’m not a traditionalist, so I don’t particularly care for the pop of the cork. If a proper plastic screw top does a better job at preserving/protecting my whisky, I’d prefer that.

I do like a 'pop' but have encountered some frail, damaged/tainted and too small corks that have caused issues.

My Hibiki 12 with its little decanter (that my blend to be will take it's home in further down the line) has an amazing cork style stopper.

No issues with screw caps per se but agree they tend to lose shape too easily.

@OdysseusUnbound - I'm glad it's not just me that has that issue - thought I was always being a heavy handed so and so ;)

What's the point of drinking whisky if there's no cork POP?

You might as well drink cheap red wine from a jug.

There's no other benefit to good whisky if there's no cork. Sharing it with friends is boring, sniffing it is for wimps, and certainly the taste of a fine Scotch is no reason to enjoy it.

Nope, got to have me a cork...

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... OK, I'll put a cork in it...

Hmm. I too find this interesting. As stated above, I too am primarily concerned with maintaining the quality of the precious whisky in the bottle and ensuring that it remains at its best. However, as has been discussed elsewhere, having a dram is more than just drinking - it is an experience shaped by many factors. I'm unashamed to say I'm probably a bit of an old fashioned and romantic purist when it comes to many things including whisky. And as such, there is a certain appeal to a cork stopper. Having said that, probably more than 90% of the bottles of wine I buy have a screw top and I'm ok with that now. A contradiction? Probably. I wonder how a synthetic cork substance would hold up to the higher ABV of whisky? For now, a cork will do for me..

@Hewie I see where you’re coming from, but the cork (or lack thereof) and colour of the whisky don’t do much for me. The smell, taste and texture are of prime importance and good company always adds to the experience. I think Alberta Premium Dark Horse has a very functional, if ordinary, design that gets the job done.

@OdysseusUnbound, I doubt that @Hewie has ever seen a bottle of Alberta Premium Dark Horse with its twist cap. He can look at pictures on the internet, of course. Most of those Canadian whiskies don't get out (of the country) much, you know.

No Yamazaki 12 in New Zealand, either, @Hewie? Not according to wine-searcher.com. That is indeed sad.

@Victor you're correct. I've searched a few times for some of the Canadian whiskies you discuss and most aren't available here in NZ. Also, as suggested, no Yamazaki that I could find, however, there is Hakushu, Hibiki, Nikka, and a few other random blended Japanese whiskies - so not completely a back water! If you're interested you can check out what is commonly available in NZ on this website - it is one of the two main NZ online suppliers and the one which I use most often. www.whiskyandmore.co.nz

@Hewie Pretty good prices for some things (A'Bunadh, Ardbeg 10) compared to LCBO. But I assume tax is on top of that, so it might even out...

@Nozinan Yes, I think we do pretty well in some areas but then not so much in others. Some things are also just not available, in addition to most of the North American whiskies (such as Laph 10 CS). I can live with that - still plenty of bottles to explore!

@Hewie, the Hakushu 12 yo should have the same type of screw cap as the Yamazaki 12. Thick plastic.

Back to the corks.....sort of..... Not to be too contentious, but there is always this option. It could be helpful to eliminate exposure to air in the 'bottle' as you can squeeze any excess air out. What do you think, if it improved the shelf life of the product would you buy it? mashable.com/2017/11/… I don't think I could.

@Hewie, those pouches look very practical for sporting events, camping trips, boot-legging, or for adolescents smuggling whisk(e)y into the school room.

Other than that they are God-awful ugly.

What a good subject for discussion this.

Even the most unromantic drinker would probably balk at having their Pappy 23 or Dalmore king Schmalexander sold to them in a Tetra pack. No matter how good for the whisky it would be.

Cork is traditional and I certainly love seeing what kind of cork and stopper is used on a new release. I don't freak out over it being synthetic, I would see what the verdict is on those glass stoppers used on some wines and most recently by Shelter point on their whiskys?

Personally, I think the smell and taste is the most important aspect of the actual product. I've tasted from decanted samples and have not suffered for it.

@cricklewood - I'm with you I guess, no harm if it doesn't have a cork but it's 'nicest' for sure.

Two bad cork experiences early on made me keep most of my old corks just in case . . . One of which was a Glenfarclas 12 which just crumbled and fell apart as soon as I tried to open the bottle (after a bloody hard day as well! I've got over it though, honest ;) To be fair to MoM they replaced the whole bottle, no fuss.

Now I find I look to swop any early on, even if they just seem a tiny bit loose.