Decanting spirits is a bit different from decanting wine because spirits decanters typically come with a stopper that keeps out air and dust. While wine is a beverage that changes as it is exposed to oxygen, almost all spirits don't have this characteristic. Exposure to air doesn't really change the taste or flavor of most spirits. For this reason, most whiskey enthusiasts think of whiskey decanters more for presentation than respiration.
Special care should ALWAYS be taken with antique or new spirits decanters that are made of lead crystal. When spirits are be stored in decanters for months or even years, some experts argue that the lead in lead crystal can leach into the whiskey or spirit stored inside the decanter. Wine decanters don’t raise the same issues as wine is typically poured out of the decanter over the course of several hours. Wine is rarely left in a decanter for more than 8 hours.
Special care should ALWAYS be taken with antique or new spirits decanters that are made of lead crystal. When spirits are be stored in decanters for months or even years, some experts argue that the lead in lead crystal can leach into the whiskey or spirit stored inside the decanter. Wine decanters don’t raise the same issues as wine is typically poured out of the decanter over the course of several hours. Wine is rarely left in a decanter for more than 8 hours.
