Whether it’s a forgotten bottle in the back of your cabinet or something you inherited during a party, not all alcohol stays good forever. While high-proof spirits like vodka or whiskey can last a long time unopened, even they have limits—especially once exposed to air, light, or heat. From funky flavors to dangerous spoilage, drinking spoiled alcohol can be unpleasant or even unsafe. And with wine, beer, or mixers, the window of freshness can be much shorter. Before you pour your next drink, check out these six warning signs that your alcohol is past its prime.
