You can absolutely put whiskey in the freezer. It’s not going to hurt the whiskey, and unlike cans of soda or beer, it will not explode and hurt your freezer either.
The question then becomes, why would you want to put whiskey in the freezer?
It is, presumably, your whiskey and your freezer, so if you like your bourbon extra cold but don’t want to use ice, you can keep it in the freezer for as long as you want.
But read on to learn more about why that might not be the best idea…
What is the Ideal Temperature for Whiskey
Whiskey connoisseurs recommend that whiskey be served at or just below room temperature.
Sixty to 65 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the ideal temperature for whiskey.
When you drink whiskey in this temperature range, you will experience the full flavor range of the whiskey.
Chilling the bourbon, especially chilling and diluting it – which happens when you put ice in it, will dull some of the intended flavor notes.
Drinking whiskey neat – no added ice or water – and at room temperature lets you taste it exactly as intended.
Distillers create blends with aromas and flavor notes, and you may not want to miss out on those.
If you are new to drinking your bourbon neat and at room temperature, your taste buds may find some of these flavors notes overwhelming at first.
To accustom yourself to enjoying whiskey as it was meant to be enjoyed, try working your way up from entry-level to more complex varieties.
- Irish Whiskey: Irish whiskey is distilled three times before it is bottled, which makes it smoother, sweeter, creamier, and lighter. Irish whiskey is considered an excellent option for beginners.
- Canadian Whisky: Canadian whisky is barrel-aged for at least three years. It tends to be smooth, light, and fruity. Canadian whisky is also good for those who are learning to enjoy it neat.
- Bourbon Whiskey: American bourbon whiskey tends to be fairly sweet because it is made with at least 51% corn. This sweetness mellows out the burn from the alcohol, making it an easy whiskey to learn to drink neat.
- Rye Whiskey: Rye is another American whiskey, but it is more of a challenge than bourbon. Many people describe it as an acquired taste. Rye whiskey is made with at least 51% rye, and it is peppery, spicy, and smoky.
- Scotch: While Scotch is famous worldwide, it is not usually recommended for people who are just beginning to enjoy neat whiskey. Scotch whisky can be overwhelming with notes of peat, smoke, wood, and leather.
If You Still Want Your Whiskey Cold
If you’ve read the above and still want to drink your whiskey as cold as possible, that’s fine! You can put your whiskey in the freezer, and it will not freeze.
Whiskey freezes at about -17 degrees Fahrenheit, and your home freezer is not likely to go below zero.
If you want your bourbon cold but not freezing cold, you could also use whiskey stones to cool your drink without diluting it.
Whiskey stones come in different designs and shapes, but they all serve the same function.
You chill the stones in the freezer and then put them in your drink to cool the drink.
They will chill the whiskey within one to five minutes, depending on the materials the stones are made of.
Whiskey stones are usually metal, granite, or soapstone. Stainless steel whiskey stones chill drinks the fastest, and they are also the easiest to clean since the surface is not porous.
They are a great way to keep a drink cold without diluting it.
They also don’t take up much space in the freezer, unlike a large glass bottle of Scotch.
Freezing Point of other Alcoholic Drinks
If you’re curious about other alcoholic beverages here are some guidelines…
- Other 80-proof spirits like gin, vodka, and tequila have the same freezing point at -17 Fahrenheit and will not freeze in a home freezer.
- Sixty-proof liquor similar to flavored vodka and some liqueurs has a freezing point of 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Forty-proof liquors like Triple Sec and Kahlua will freeze at 15 degrees Fahrenheit. They will probably freeze in a freezer and even if they don’t, they will get slushy.
- Wine freezes around 23 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be left in the freezer for more than an hour; otherwise, it will freeze and crack the glass bottle as it expands.
- Beer has a freezing point of 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t leave your beer in the freezer longer than 10 to 15 minutes unless you want a mess on your hands.