[Robert A Cook PE]

If the bottles were sideways, the plugs would not dry out. (Corks in whiskey at that time, or ever? Wine? Yes. Whiskey?)

[major_gaff]

That is true, though whiskey isn't usually stored like wine,
but who knows? I think all bottles used corks back then, but
not sure...just a guess. What I do know is that when cleaning
out my friend's father's liquor cabinet he found a 40 year old bottle
of scotch unopened...still had the Penna. tax seal on it. It wasn't a
great scotch to begin with (Johnny Red, I think) and it had not
improved in the slightest.