Top Series Expert

cork stoppers VS artificial stoppers

Natural stoppers are the best option for heterogeneous bottleneck sizes and profiles, since, due to natural cork’s elasticity, it has a better adaptability, and is better suited to absorbing different types of variations, in comparison with other types of stoppers.

Micro-agglomerated stoppers can be used in more homogeneous bottles. This solution has emerged as a natural replacement for synthetic closures, that have a chemical origin and offer poor sustainability performance.

Unlike wine closures, stoppers for spirits are removed and re-inserted repeatedly, and must maintain an effective airtight seal over a long time-period.

The natural elasticity of cork means that a cork stopper offers far greater flexibility and adaptability to the bottle, compared to synthetic stoppers.

The 400 million cells in each cork stopper, filled with an air-like gas, mean that the stopper is flexible, elastic and quickly regains its initial form after being compressed. This is perfect for sealing bottles, which is why cork has been a natural ally of the wine and spirits sector for millennia, ever since cork was used to seal amphorae in Antiquity.

Cork also ensures a dynamic seal over time,  as it expands and contracts slightly due to temperature changes. The quantity of air sealed within the bottle, in addition to the liquid will also change as the contents are consumed and with changes in temperature and humidity.

Cork is also impermeable to liquids, virtually impervious to gases and is highly resistant to moisture.

By contrast, plastic closures, made from petro-chemicals, may pose environmental concerns, among others, if not carefully monitored and controlled.

Synthetic closures are not natural, renewable or biodegradable, and their production adds to greenhouse emissions. By contrast, Amorim Top Series’ stoppers which have an independently certified positive carbon balance.

Amorim’s technical corks (such as Neutrotop), which compete directly with synthetic closures, perform consistently and  are a good first step when starting to use cork in your Spirits.
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