Bottles of alcohol are one of the last products you would expect to require accelerated weathering testing and grey scale tests. However, variations exist in the length of time an open or closed bottle is kept or where these bottles are stored within households, which has the potential to affect the taste of the alcohol itself.
Does Gin go bad?
Gin does not necessarily go bad but it can change over time, depending on where it is stored. There are many reasons that alcohol can change. Everything down to how alcohol is made is all time dependent. The storing conditions are also extremely important. Some alcoholic products are expected to change naturally such as whisky, while changes in others are not.
Does sunlight affect gin?
Previous product testing has included accelerate weathering testing on dark glass bottles to evaluate the length of time bottles can sit unopened on shop shelves or opened in consumers’ homes before the taste is affected. Last year, we carried out varying accelerated weathering and grey scale tests on coloured gin to find out how time and specific conditions such as sunlight and temperature can affect the colour of the alcoholic product inside a clear bottle. This testing was required to ensure that any loss or change in colour would subsequently not alter the taste.
How do Grey Scale Tests Work?
We carried out grey scale tests, to standard BS EN 20105-A02 and ISO 105-A02 to see the change in colour over a period of 1000hrs. During this weathering process, the sample was taken out at different times, to observe the changes at different stages in the process. The sample material is compared to an unaffected sample and the differences are noted. The observed changes were slight, but colour of the product had faded a little, as had the label. The main observations were these slight changes, but what effect can these have on the product itself? Colour fading can affect the flavour of the drink, such as the fruity flavour getting milder, while the alcohol flavour can intensify.
To keep your alcohol as fresh as possible, it is best to store in a cool dry place, as stated on the label. This should help to keep the product in its ideal quality for longer and away from windows and sunlight.
Here at Impact, we are able to carry out a wide range of weathering and grayscale testing in our state-of-the-art weathering laboratory. For more information, click here or call us on +44(0) 1324 489 182.
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