How long does Reposado tequila last once opened?
USDA's FoodKeeper lists Hard liquors: unopened, indefinitely in the pantry. FoodKeeper lists hard liquors as keeping indefinitely when unopened. It gives no figure for an opened bottle.
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The short answer: USDA’s FoodKeeper lists Hard liquors: unopened, indefinitely in the pantry. FoodKeeper lists hard liquors as keeping indefinitely when unopened. It gives no figure for an opened bottle.
Contents
What USDA FoodKeeper says
FoodKeeper is the storage guide from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. The figures below are read from the data file (version 128, last modified 6 September 2018 in the file’s version table). “From date of purchase” means counted from the day you bought it.
Hard liquors
| Where | How long |
|---|---|
| Pantry, unopened | indefinitely |
Storage tips
Keep reposado tequila in the place and container the package says. FoodKeeper gives no extra tip for this entry.
Flavour and aroma can change once a bottle is opened and air gets in. FoodKeeper gives no time for that, so this is our general advice: keep the bottle closed tightly, upright, away from heat and sunlight.
When to throw it out
These signs are our general advice, not an agency rule. An off or sour smell, mould, an unusual texture, or a swollen or leaking container means it should go in the bin. Do not taste it to check.
Conclusion
USDA’s FoodKeeper lists Hard liquors: unopened, indefinitely in the pantry. FoodKeeper lists hard liquors as keeping indefinitely when unopened. It gives no figure for an opened bottle. Check the date on your package and throw it out if in doubt.
General information, not medical advice. When in doubt, throw it out. If you are pregnant, elderly, or have a weak immune system, follow the date on the package and ask your doctor.
How long is reposado tequila aged?
At least two months. Mexico’s tequila standard, NOM-006-SCFI-2012, says aged tequila (reposado) must age “for at least two months” in direct contact with oak or encino (holm oak) containers. Blanco (silver) tequila may have had less than two months in such containers, and extra-aged tequila (añejo) must age at least one year.
Is there a maximum for reposado?
We found no maximum aging time for reposado in the standard’s English translation. Many guides say “up to a year”, but we could not confirm that from the standard, so we do not state it as a rule. The label of your bottle, or the producer, can tell you the actual time.
Does aging stop once the bottle is opened?
The standard describes aging in wood containers, not in the bottle. It says nothing about changes after opening, so for how long an opened bottle keeps its quality see the section above.
People also ask
How long does reposado tequila last?
USDA's FoodKeeper lists Hard liquors: unopened, indefinitely in the pantry. FoodKeeper lists hard liquors as keeping indefinitely when unopened. It gives no figure for an opened bottle.
How should I store reposado tequila?
Follow the package. FoodKeeper gives no extra storage tip for this entry; our general advice is a clean, closed container and the right temperature for the product.
How can I tell if reposado tequila has gone bad?
Our general advice, not an agency rule: an off or sour smell, mould, unusual texture or a swollen or leaking container means throw it out. Do not taste it to check.
How long is reposado tequila aged?
At least two months in oak or encino (holm oak) containers, according to Mexican standard NOM-006-SCFI-2012. We found no maximum in that text.
What is the difference between reposado and añejo?
Under the same standard reposado ages at least two months and añejo at least one year in direct contact with oak or encino wood.
Sources
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