Do Vanilla Beans in Bourbon go bad?

[jerkbag]

Hi All,

Last year around this time I made a vanilla porter, and had 5 or so beans soaking in Bourbon. When it came time to add I used only half of them. Do you think I can use the other half now? Beans soaking in bourbon for like a year?

thanks!

 

[aprichman]

As long as they're fully submerged in the bourbon they should be fine.

 

[1977Brewer]

The beans themselves are probably completely flavorless, but the bourbon is making my mouth water just thinking about it.

 

[jerkbag]

well the bourbon's going in too

 

[Rhaegar92]

Assuming it's a normal bourbon and therefore relatively high proof, the beans should be preserved well. The flavors will have leeched out (which is fine since you said it's all going in) but in terms of sterility and that type of issue you're fine. Unless something abnormal is growing on it of course but that'd be very unlikely