Question about Olive Oil and shelf life..

[MaryMac]

I was at Zingerman's this week and bought a very nice bottle of olive oil as a birthday present to myself. They let you taste all of them before buying and I loved this one. When the salesperson handed me the bottle it was a little oily around the bottom of the foil, but I thought it was probably off of her hands from pouring....you know a little slippery.
Anyway, when I opened the bottle last night it was leaking like the cork wasn't large enough for the neck of the bottle.
Since this isn't a oil that I'll be using for everyday cooking do you think it will be fine for long time storage or could it possibly become rancid? I still have the receipt and could head back there and return it. It's about and hour away, but would be well worth the trip if it were to go bad.
Thanks for any thoughts on this....

[wallycat]

All oil goes rancid eventually....
Olive oil has a nice shelf life, but once opened, I would say smell and taste. Rancidity depends on quality of oil, how frequently exposed to air/light, any contamination (some of the tv chefs use their finger to half-stop the bottle opening to pour)....

[vbak]

Sounds like a very expensive olive oil. I would return it. Even if you had a cork that fit, I would wonder how long that bottle had been sitting like that.

[Canice]

I agree with vbak. It's a special product and it should be pristine. Zingerman's has outstanding customer service; I would call first and see what they can do for you - they may just send you a new one.

[MaryMac]

Thanks all for confirming what I thought was the right thing to do. Hate to spend all that money and in three months have it turn rancid. Can go tomorrow and return it....besides there's always something good to taste while waiting for someone to help. :D