Can a bottle of hard alcohol with a cork in it be "corked" and be bad like wine?

[TheNinja]

So I bought a bottle of Brazilian rum and it has a cork in it. However it seems to have an "off" odor to it. Is it possible for hard alcohol to be "corked" similar to how wine can be bad if the cork is bad? I don't usually buy this brand and it was for something special. The taste seems OK, but the odor is very off putting. It is a sugar cane rum with some hints of other flavors, but I don't remember it smelling like this.

Can I bring it back to the store and ask for a replacement of the same brand?

 

[lxskllr]

AFAIK, it won't affect the character of spirits. A REALLY bad cork might let the alcohol out, an it'll taste watery, but otherwise the taste should be unaffected.

 

[Drako]

I don't see why not. If TCA or TBA is in the cork, it would get into the spirit.

 

[Scotteq]

Yes, it's possible. Though unlikely.

You can try to bring it back, but my experience from attempting that in the past has been.. less than fruitful.

 

[TheNinja]

It's not like the cork slipped out really easy. I've had a cork on a wine bottle before that practically fell out and of course the wine was bad b/c all the air got in. This cork fits tight, it's just the aroma is very bitter and almost moldy

 

[Beev]

I would think cork taint could affect anything...

 

[bignateyk]

Have you had this rum before to know of its quality?

Sounds to me like its just a shitty brand of rum.

 

[Drako]

It's not like the cork slipped out really easy. I've had a cork on a wine bottle before that practically fell out and of course the wine was bad b/c all the air got in. This cork fits tight, it's just the aroma is very bitter and almost moldy

That's the typical TCA smell.

 

[Lifted]

It can happen. How does the cork look? Anything on the bottom of it to give you (or the store) an idea that it's tainted? Is the smell obvious? If so, the store should swap it for you.

 

[TheNinja]

Have you had this rum before to know of its quality?

Sounds to me like its just a shitty brand of rum.

I have had it before, it was a while ago though, but I don't remember it smelling like this. It's isn't really crappy either. It's Leblon, $20 for 750ml. I guess it's actually cachaca, but basically rum.

It can happen. How does the cork look? Anything on the bottom of it to give you (or the store) an idea that it's tainted? Is the smell obvious? If so, the store should swap it for you.

The cork looks and smells OK I think. It was very squishy though. I'll have to look again at home. I'll probably try to bring it back and get it replaced. If not, I'll just mix it. You can just smell it when it's straight up or on the rocks and that's how I prefer this particular rum. Sometimes I add a little sugar, lime, and/or club soda.