Is it safe to drink old alcohol found in my home?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety of consuming old alcohol, specifically a bottle of vodka found in a home that was bottled in the USSR. Participants explore various aspects of alcohol aging, safety concerns, and personal anecdotes related to old alcoholic beverages.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the safety of drinking alcohol that has been sitting for a long time, particularly vodka from the USSR.
  • Another suggests that the alcohol may have simply fermented longer and implies that aging could enhance its quality.
  • A participant expresses concern about something floating in the vodka, speculating it could be a lead paint chip rather than bacteria.
  • Some participants advise against drinking the vodka, especially considering the age of the original poster, who is presumed to be young.
  • One comment humorously suggests that drinking the vodka might have some positive effect, despite the risks.
  • There are differing opinions on whether old alcohol should be discarded, with some arguing that it should be thrown away if opened, while others believe it can still be consumed if properly sealed.
  • A participant notes that if the vodka was originally 80 proof, it would not increase in proof over time, but could evaporate if not sealed.
  • Another participant mentions the potential value of the vodka as a collectible item if it is indeed authentic and old.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether it is safe to drink the vodka. There are multiple competing views regarding the safety and quality of old alcohol, as well as differing opinions on whether it should be consumed or discarded.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the effects of aging on vodka and whether it remains safe to drink after being opened. Concerns about potential contaminants and the implications of the alcohol's age are also noted.

jb
is it safe to drink alcohol that has been sitting around for a long time? for example, i just found a bottle of vodka that was left by the previous owners of my home- and the label says "bottled in USSR." is it still ok to consume, or would i be better off throwing it out?
 
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it's just fermented a little longer! :wink:
 
if it was 80 proof originally, what would it be after 15 years?

i found something floating in it, i doubt it's anything like bacteria (hopefully not sars!) maybe just a lead paint chip. keep in mind this is soviet goods.
 
i wouldn't recommend drinking it, especially vodka, not at your age anyway I am guessing your don't drink alcohol much seeing as your quite young 16 i think? and if you found something floating in it i would most definitely give it a miss.
 
Originally posted by jb
is it safe to drink alcohol that has been sitting around for a long time?

Well, it's not going to get any safer. Just drink it kid... maybe it'll put some hair on your chest.

eNtRopY
 
Originally posted by Andy
i wouldn't recommend drinking it, especially vodka, not at your age anyway I am guessing your don't drink alcohol much seeing as your quite young 16 i think? and if you found something floating in it i would most definitely give it a miss.

haha, I'm not 16... and there's worse stuff i could be doing, like drinking it while I'm driving.

besides, what else is there to do with it? dumping it seems like a waste.
 
If it tastes bad just add some chilly
 
Alchohaul is aged. So more aging= better alchohaul. Go to it!

Do you throw away an old bottle of wine? I think not!
 
Do you throw away an old bottle of wine? I think not!

I would if it had already been opened, don't like wine much anyway but like vinegar even less! Does the same happen to Vodka if its left opened?
 
  • #10
Oh well it's open then definitely toss it.
 
  • #11
If it's left by previous owners, then definitely toss it.

Drunk people have been known to do strange things.

There is nothing wrong with vodka/rum/etc if it's old, AFAIK. The stuff is a disinfectant to begin with.

(VERY strange things)
 
  • #12
If the vodka is 80 proof, it's not going to climb in proof. Remember that alcohol evaporates. But if the cap was on, it should be fine. I've had 20 year old moonshine before. It was as strong as it probably was coming off the still!
 
  • #13
On second thought, if it's authentic Russian vodka and it is infact as old as you say, you might be able to sell it to a collector... or give it to me, and I'll drink it Finnish style.

eNtRopY
 

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