Expert: Paul Wagner - 10/15/2008

Question
We found an unopened bottle of Benedictine B and B DOM in the attic and would like to find out a few things about. How can I tell what year it was made, if its still drinkable and what it might be worth. It appears to be unopened but is empty about 3/4 down the neck of the bottle. Maybe there's a website you could tell me about that would picture the label changes over the years. Thanks in advance!

Answer
Hi  Rebecca:

Distilled spirits like this have such high alcohol levels that they don't change much over time.  That means that your bottle should be just fine to drink, but it also means that it hasn't improved with age the way some fine wines do.  The result is that you won't be able to sell this for much more than a current bottling.  I don't think it would sell for more than about $50, at most---and only if you can really show that it hasn't been damaged or diluted in any way.  

It is illegal for private individuals to sell alcoholic beverages in the USA, so you have to work through an auction house or wine shop. They will, in turn, ask for a commission.

You might check with the folks at antiquebottles.com--they know more about the actual bottles and boxes than I do, and one this old might be worth more than the liquid inside.  

Or you can check with B&B themselves.  Here is a link to their history page---as you can see, they haven't changed their packaging much in a long time:

http://www.benedictine.fr/anglais/histoire_frame.html

Sorry I can't give you more exciting news.

Paul Wagner