Expert: Paul Wagner - 2/20/2008

Question
Hi,
I have 2 sealed bottles of Macallan 25YO Single Highland Malt Scotch Whiskey in a crystal decanter made by Tudor Crystal of Wordsley, Worcestershire.  The years on the stoppers are 1962 and the other is 1964.  I searched around, but could only find the 25YO not in this decanter.  Would you happen to know pricing on these items or where I could look?  Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi Raul

Unlike some fine wines, distilled spirits like this do not change much in the bottle, for better or for worse, because the alcohol levels are so high.  The good news is that this should be perfectly good to drink.  The bad news is that it doesn't taste much different from a current bottling.  As a result, connoisseurs wouldn't pay much more for this bottle.  I would estimate the value of these bottles at around $65-100 at a wine and spirits auction.  

Please note that it is illegal for private individuals to sell alcoholic beverages in the USA, so you would have to work through a retailer or auction house, who would take their commission.

But this is an interesing bottle, and these bottles are sometimes quite collectible, so you might find more interest (and higher prices) among bottle collectors.  Go to antiquebottles.com and see if anyone there has more interest...they are good people with a lot of good information.

Hope you have great 2008.

Paul Wagner