On Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:04:38 PM UTC+1, Mr Pounder wrote:
For being a good boy, pulling my guts out and making a 10/10 job of
painting the interior of my house the wife has given me a bottle of Bells
Whiskey. Seems she has had it in a drawer for maybe three years.
It looked a bit pale. The top was on tightly but there was no click sound
when I opened it.
It tasted awful so I have poured it down the drain.
Does Whiskey deteriorate?

No, don't think so. Spirits were used as an antiseptic and a preservative (cf 'Tapping the Admiral'). It evaporates.

I suspect you may have had a bottle in which the contents had been 'recycled'. Never drink from a warm bottle.