Flask Question

[Viper Man]

I received as a gift a nice looking, 18 ounce stainless steel flask. It's huge!
How long can I store booze in it before it tastes bad (metallic)? The directions that came with it state booze is good for 3 days but that seems ridiculous to me. Can anyone shed some insight or experience? Thanks!

 

[David Conwill]

Hmm, I don't know because my flask is small and when I fill it (which is rare anymore), it's usually consumed within three days, but it does occur to me that maybe this is why my grandmother has always traveled with a glass flask.

-Dave

 

[KittyT]

I have kept booze in my flask for a month or more and have not noticed any effect on the taste.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Why not fill'er up and give it a taste after 3 or 4 days and see if there's any difference? Things like that are probably going to be different, flask to flask, since they're made of various metal that may affect taste at different rates.

 

[Tomasso]

I once unintentionally left a flask (stainless steel) full of Makers Mark unattended for several months with no discernable deleterious effect.

 

[Viper Man]

Thanks for your replies, folks. I went a head and filled it up with some Gentleman's Jack to test it. I didn't fill the whole thing just in case there are any issues.

 

[John in Covina]

Not all stainless steels are the same, so they could be a problem of some beverages picking up a metallic flavor. Also the air gap on the top of a flask not totally filled may introduce oxidation for some beverages.

Probably best to fill it totally but use it only for specific occasions.

Make me a Sargent in charge of the booze!

 

[David Conwill]

Make me a Sargent in charge of the booze!

Them!? I love that movie.

-Dave

 

[markfleser]

Since it's stainless steel it shouldn't react at all with the alcohol.

 

[rmrdaddy]

Hey I have a question...

Why are we worried about issues with the alcohol, metallic taste, etc? [huh]



I mean, we carry spirits in flasks for medicinal purposes don't we???[huh]

 

[eldonkr]

I once considered buying a belt that had a removable flask as the buckle, the only thing that stopped me was the lack of booze

 

[Nash Buckingham]

Can't imagine a flask not needing refilled in a short period of time - especially if you filled it with Gentleman Jack - but then that's just me I guess.

 

[Magus]

Sorry...I can't help you. My flask is always emptied within a a hlaf day of being filled. Um....I mean...half.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

I think what you put in it might make a difference too., if you're talking about extended periods, once opened I tend to find brandy keeps longer than whisky in flasks.
In the winter I'm quite a fan of Calvados in my flask. Otherwise I have this Italian drink called Tuaca which goes nicely with the pewter.

 

[CigarMan]

At the tobacco shop I work at, we sell several types of flasks and honestly I recommend to folks to not store it in a flask for more than a couple of days. Primary concern would be the oxidation of the metal inside. As mentioned above, not all stainless steel is the same. Best to keep it's use to short term "medicinal" purposes

 

[John in Covina]

There is a reason why 99% of all liquor comes in glass bottles! It's very non-reactive.

 

[randooch]

John in Covina makes a good point, which makes me wonder if any flasks are made glass lined?

Tequila seems to do okay for weeks when forgotten in a flask, but perhaps it's my lack of discerning taste buds.

 

[rmrdaddy]

Glass is non-reactive sure, but also very fragile!
Didn't anyone else ever have an old school glass lined thermos as a kid and drop it?? Mom's chicken soup with Glass fragments is still not one of my favorite lunches...

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Glass is non-reactive sure, but also very fragile!
Didn't anyone else ever have an old school glass lined thermos as a kid and drop it?? Mom's chicken soup with Glass fragments is still not one of my favorite lunches...

I don' think I ever saw a smashed one but I can imagine.
Has anyone ever seen a glass hip flask? My grandfather has one that is covered inn stiff leather and has a metal cover at the bottom. I believe it was originally for keeping in the car so that if you broke down and it was cold you could have a nip of brandy.

 

[BinkieBaumont]

I had a lovely glass flask with a leather" Jacket" for my 21st Birthday , from my little sis with A 750ml bottle of Canadian Club hic! hic!... probably left on the floor of some speak easy ( did I say some twice?) speakeasy, the same night i lost my Racoon coat !