What is a benefit of allowing a spirit to breathe after bottling?

Allowing a spirit to breathe after bottling is beneficial because it permits volatile compounds to evaporate. When a spirit is first bottled, it may contain certain aromatic compounds or impurities that can impact its overall aroma and flavor. By letting the spirit breathe, these volatile elements can disperse into the air, leading to a purer and more refined tasting experience. This process can help in enhancing the spirit’s overall profile, allowing the more desirable aromas and flavors to emerge distinctly.

Enhancing color, increasing alcohol level, and reducing sweetness do not occur as a result of the breathing process. Color in spirits is generally imparted through the distillation and aging processes, alcohol levels are fixed when the spirit is bottled, and sweetness is determined by the residual sugars from the production process rather than improvements made during breathing.