If you have an expensive collection of alcohol or want to preserve the taste of your liquor- then how you store it will make a tremendous difference in how long your alcohol lasts.
Liquor generally needs to be protected from 4 things, which is why storage has a section of its own in this article. Let's take a look at each of these things and what you should be looking for in a bar to keep your collection safe.
1. UV light
It is common knowledge that fermentation is the process that makes liquor what it is. Put simply, fermentation is a reaction that breaks down the sugars found in grapes (or other plants) to create alcohol and a few other by-products.
When liquor is bottled, this reaction does not stop. It simply slows down dramatically because the bottle acts as a vacuum chamber, preventing exposure to things that can alter the speed of the reaction. UV light is one thing that can momentarily speed up the fermentation process in wine, altering the flavor profile of a bottle.
Your ideal bar will have storage areas that isolate bottles from UV light. Storage that does not cover the entire bottle - for example, wine bars that store bottles by housing their necks, do not allow for optimal protection from UV light.
2. Heat
Heat affects bottled wine in the same way that UV light does, so ideally, your wine bar will come with storage that keeps temperature regulated at a stable temperature. Hardwood storage that covers the entire bottle (blocking out both heat and light) is a solid investment if you're interested in storing wine long-term.
The best wine storage would involve a refrigeration chamber or mini-fridge that can keep your wine chilled to around 12 degrees Celsius (55 Fahrenheit).
3. Humidity Fluctuation
Humidity does not necessarily affect your liquor directly, especially if it is stored adequately. Fluctuations in humidity can significantly affect the cork of your bottles. If your wine cork gets too dry, it may shrink, allowing oxygen to interact with your wine. This will alter the flavor profile in a similar way to UV light exposure, but the effects can be even more profound.
Horizontal wine storage solves this problem by keeping your wine in contact with your wine cork, preventing it from drying out completely, and avoiding this issue altogether.
4. Vibration
Lastly, vibrations can unsettle the sediment in some liquors -especially wines-, which won't permanently change the flavor of your drink but can significantly affect your drinking experience. Significant vibrations won't normally be a massive issue, but if you choose a wheeled bar, be sure to explore reviews prior to confirm that your wheels don't shake bottles much when moving your bar from room to room.