Can tapered cork stoppers be used to seal liquids such as wine or distilled spirits?
Tapered cork stoppers are generally not recommended for sealing non-viscous liquids such as wine or distilled spirits. Because the cork tapers, it typically makes contact with the bottle at only a narrow point along the taper, which does not create as tight or reliable a seal. Traditional bartop corks or flange corks feature a straight, compressible section that fits against the inside diameter of the bottle, typically around 20 mm in length, creating a much more secure seal for liquids. Tapered corks are better suited for dry goods where a liquid-tight seal is less critical.