Expert: Paul Wagner - 2/29/2008

Question
We have an unopened bottle of the above. I believe it's from Peru...it says "Producto Peruano". It's wrapped in a nice little rattan thing so can't look at the bottom. Any idea on value or history?

Answer
HI Debra

I am unfamiliar with this particular product, but here's what I can tell you.  Higo is the Spanish word for "fig" so there is a possibility that this is a fig flavored liquor from Peru.  But I think that is unlikely, because Peru is much more famous for another alcoholic beverage, Pisco.  I bet this is a kind of Pisco from San Leonardo.  Pisco is very traditional drink and quite alcoholic--it was originally made from the grapes that were not good enough to make into wine.  (INterestingly enough, it was also the favorite drink of the 49ers during the Gold Rush--as the ships coming from Cape Horn would stop in Peru to pick up barrels of the stuff)

Distilled products like this don't improve with age--because the alcohol is so high that it pretty much pickles them.  The good news is that it is also very safe to drink, for the same reason.  Your bottle is a great conversation piece, but wouldn't have any value to a collector, either of liquors or of bottles.

Sorry to be the bearer of unexciting news.

Paul Wagner