Whiskey gives off a certain air of class and intrigue, which is often reflected on the big screen by characters like James Bond taking sips of the spirit between fighting off villains, or Officer K of Blade Runner downing a glass after hunting replicants. But should you add even more sophistication and decant your whiskey?

These vessels, typically made from glass or crystal, are an eye-catching way to store alcohol, typically wine, though some have started to try it with the spirit, too. So, does decanting whiskey help, or is it spoiling your hard-earned bottle of booze? In short, the experts say it’s fine, though not necessary.

Decanting is known for improving wine by allowing it to breathe and remove sediments, but the same benefit doesn’t really hold true with spirits. “Unlike wine, decanting whiskey won’t change the flavor much,” say Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder, co-founders of Lodestar Whiskey. But, they say, there’s no harm in doing so. “If you’ve got a decanter you love and it looks awesome on your bar, go for it.”

Read more: How To Make 30 Classic Cocktails: An Illustrated Guide

Whether you’re thinking of decanting a favorite bottle, or something from a cocktail expert’s must-buy whiskey list, there’s no need to overly stress about it. Traditionally, decanters had a more practical origin, used to draw whiskey straight from the aging barrels. Although today, they are much more of a decorative choice for storing the spirit. “If your decanter has a good seal, you can store your whiskey in there for a long time, years even,” according to Wendelin von Schroder and Anna Axster.

Unlike whiskey, the reason decanters are needed for wine is because the fermented grape drink can change drastically with time due to the tannins it contains, something that is found in very low levels in whiskey. Instead, the high alcohol content in whiskey (and lots of other popular spirits) means the likelihood of oxidation is low.

The only time you have to worry about your whiskey’s quality lessening in a decanter is if you give it years to potentially spoil. Sitting in a half-empty decanter with lots of air exposure will only affect whiskey over an extended period of time. It’s typically after about two years that you may begin to see some discoloration and degradation of flavor from your spirits.

Using a decanter for your whiskey can make at-home tastings a little more special and is just one of the many tools to level up your bar cart. And it doesn’t matter how much money you’ve dropped on a particular variety of whiskey, either. “For us, decanting whiskey is all about the look and experience,” say experts Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder. “Any whiskey you think is special deserves the fancy decanter treatment!”

If you’ve decided to take the leap and decant your whiskey, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect vessel. The shape of the decanter can range from square to globe, and everything in between, but the biggest thing to look for is a quality seal on the lid to help prevent oxidation and keep pests out. Whatever variety of decanter you choose, once you’re done pouring with it, be sure to store it in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

The most important attribute of the decanter you purchase should be ensuring that it’s lead-free. “We found out some crystal decanters have trace amounts of lead, and you definitely don’t want that mixing with your whiskey over time,” von Schroder and Axster share. This problem is typically found in antique crystal decanters, but if you’re unsure if your container has lead, don’t use it more than a few days to store liquor.

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MONTEGO BAY, St James — A murder accused who has been described as being under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time he allegedly committed the crime will go before the Circuit Court for trial on September 16.

During Wednesday’s hearing to determine whether or not Daniel Jones has a case to answer, defence attorney Chumu Paris argued that his client did not discharge the firearm. However, presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton ruled that Jones should face trial.

Jones is charged with the murder of 24-year-old Shacqkim “Teeno” Lindsay of Shanty Town, Paradise Norwood, in St James. However, his lawyer told the court the fatal shot was fired by another man.

“The gun was taken from one of the assailants who was in pursuit of a robbery. The accused had been drinking rum all night, two victims were robbed of cellphones when shots were fired and Jones ran… At the time of the incident, he did not encourage the commission of the murder,” Paris argued.

The clerk of court had a strong rebuttal.

“This accused was not armed with a weapon, but if you read the question-and-answer statement you would have seen that this accused spoke to the fact that they [Jones, Tippy, and a man named Jay] were in the gully drinking rum and using ecstasy and molly. He said he gave the gun to the mad man, and the man brought it up to a section up there… All three of them went up there; the intention was to rob, and the gun was always present,” she said.

“I will submit that this statement is an exculpatory statement and the Crown has a duty at the appropriate time to admit it into evidence. In these circumstances, the Crown is relying on joint enterprise common design… He robbed the man of his phone. He took a wallet from this other young man, who appears to be about 16… The gun came into play and that was when Tippy fired the shot,” the clerk added.

The clerk maintained that Jones supported and encouraged the offence and suggested that the case should be transferred to the St James Circuit Court.

In her remarks, presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce stated that it is clear from the statement that robbery with aggravation was on the mind of the defendant.

“He came there high on rum, molly and ecstasy, which a jury might find to be Dutch courage to carry out a robbery later that morning. He went home with the gun, gave it to someone else, and then decided to speak with the police,” Grant-Pryce said.

The judge noted that she lacks the authority to prevent the case from proceeding to the Supreme Court. She explained that the matter at hand falls under the jurisdiction of a jury trial.

She then ruled that the matter be committed to the Circuit Court for trial on September 16. Jones was remanded in custody until then.

According to the police, Lindsay was killed near the gully bus stop in St James around 4:00 am on January 5.

Residents reportedly heard explosions and alerted the police.

When the cops arrived, Lindsay was found lying on his back with gunshot wounds to his upper body.

He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to court records, Jones was apprehended in Rose Heights two weeks later; he was among one of three men spotted on a roof. The police were alerted and a chase ensued. Jones ran and brandished a gun that had fallen from his pocket. The police recognised him as a person of interest in a murder that occurred near the gully bus stop. He then volunteered to tell the police what transpired.

Making the bed — especially after washing and drying my sheets — is my least favorite part of housework. I put it off as long as possible, then often let my bedding sit in the dryer for hours, sometimes days, after the cycle has completed. As a surprise to no one, it’s a wrinkled mess when I take them out of the machine.

After hours of labor, I make the bed, and it still lacks allure. The sheets are clean, but they don’t look smooth or call my name in a way that hotel beds seem to. I’m not the type to break out an iron, so I accepted that I’d never have the perfect, wrinkle-free bed I enjoy on vacation. That is until I came across a video on Instagram showing me that it’s possible.

In this video, Annalora Vanderbeek (@annivanderbeek) shares her hack for achieving wrinkle-free sheets without touching an iron or steamer. She mixes a recipe of vodka, water, vinegar, and fabric conditioner, and sprays her sheets with it before smoothing it out and letting it dry. I already had all the ingredients at home and couldn’t wait to give it a try.

The measurements were unclear, but after watching her video several times, I eyeballed it and came up with this: In a spray bottle, combine one cup of distilled water, a half cup of vinegar, and a quarter cup of vodka. Vanderbeek shares that the vinegar will help “relax the fibers in your bedding” while the vodka will keep linens fresh.

“A lot of theaters use vodka to deodorize the costumes — it’s a natural deodorizer, and it dries down without a smell,” she says in the video. Even the Denver Center for the Performing Arts swears by a vodka refresh for its costume department when they can’t perform a proper machine wash.

As an optional step, Vanderbeek says you can add a tablespoon of conditioner (or, in my case, three pumps) to help “pack a punch in the de-wrinkling.” Vanderbeek used The Laundress Fabric Conditioner but says any type of conditioner (hair or fabric) can work — just be sure that whatever you use is colorless to avoid staining your sheets.

I shook my old Dollar Store spray bottle to mix the contents, and it took a while for the conditioner to break down. I got to work with a cloudy, slightly sudsy mixture with still a few conditioner lumps floating at the top.

I tried the spray on the expensive linen sheet set by The Citizenry I invested in, which is meant to look lived-in, but as I’ve experienced, there’s a difference between “lived-in” and messy. I worked one section at a time, spraying the sheets until the surface was damp but not soaked. I stretched the fabric with one hand while I spritzed with the other, then smoothed out the surface with the palm of my hand.

In less than five minutes, all the wrinkles and fold marks had been released from half of my bed. I proceeded to de-wrinkle the other side, and voilá, my bed-making skills have leveled up to Hilton status — all because of this liquid wonder. I can’t believe how this homemade recipe made my luxury sheets feel infinitely more luxurious.

The spray smelled nothing like vodka, though I initially got a whiff of vinegar. Once it dried, though, there wasn’t any kind of lingering scent, not even from my conditioner. I’ll definitely be keeping a bottle of this on my nightstand and have even ordered a cuter option from Amazon. 

I may consider adding a few drops of essential oils or scented linen spray to make my sheets smell better, but the concoction (even with some simple eyeballing) was easy and quick to make, didn’t require a trip to the store, and worked surprisingly well.

Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, offers an unforgettable journey through vast, echoing landscapes and towering cliffs.

This desert in Jordan is not just a natural wonder but a historical tapestry, with petroglyphs and inscriptions that date back thousands of years.

Its unique terrain has attracted filmmakers, adventurers, and those seeking solitude under its expansive skies.

Planning your trek through Wadi Rum is essential due to extreme temperatures and scarce water.

It’s wise and respectful to hire a local Bedouin guide for safety and to discover hidden spots.

Pack essentials like water, sunscreen, hats, and walking shoes.

Light packing is recommended to navigate the desert’s challenges comfortably while ensuring you’re prepared for the journey.

Experiencing Bedouin hospitality is essential in Wadi Rum.

These indigenous people, in harmony with the desert for centuries, offer a unique stay in their camps.

Travelers can enjoy traditional meals under the stars and hear stories passed through generations.

It’s a deep dive into human history and nature, connecting visitors with the ancient ways of life.

After sunset, Wadi Rum transforms into one of the world’s most spectacular planetariums.

The absence of light pollution reveals constellations and galaxies sprawling across the night sky.

It’s a perfect time for photography enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates the quieter moments in life.

Lying on soft sands while gazing upwards offers a profound sense of peace and insignificance in the universe’s vastness.

Wadi Rum’s landscapes are canvases for ancient civilizations, with rocks showcasing petroglyphs and inscriptions that narrate long-forgotten tales.

These artworks offer insights into early human life and beliefs.

Guided tours decode these ancestral messages, providing an educational journey into the past.

Beyond breathtaking views, Wadi Rum invites deep exploration of its majestic terrains and introspection within oneself.