Expert: Paul Wagner - 12/1/2006

Question
I recently found a bottle. Old Havana (Exte Superior 1929 Label) Exlir Old Havana Brand Cardial, PO Box Cuba. Manufactured by: Raymond Del Collado.  I was wondering if if its worth any money or where i can find any information on it. Thank You. Tom  

Answer
Hi Tom:

You've got a few typos in the label, which may be why you couldn't find out more about this. Raymond del Collado was a brand name for the Destiladora de Licores Cubanos, Habana / Cia. Unida de Vinos y Licores, S.A.  Roughly translated, that is the Cuban Liquor distillery in Havana.  They made mostly rum, but also a few liqueurs as well.  A cordial is just another name for liqueur--a very sweet combination of rum and other flavorings.

One of the things I love about this label is the obvious typo:  The brand name is Old Havana, but then in the address below, it is spelled Habana!

Here is a website with pictures of these bottles:

http://www.rum.cz/galery/cam/cu/collado/

Unfortunately, I think the 1929 is the date the distillery was established...not the date of your bottle.  I would guess that the bottle is from somewhere in the 1940s or 50s  There is a slightly newer bottle of a similar product on ebay right now that is selling for about $25-35, and it is unopened.

The easiest way to really determine its value would be to put it on ebay---but then you would have to sell it!

At any rate, I don't think this one is really valuable...just a nice curiosity from Cuba before Castro.

Paul Wagner