Expert: Paul Wagner - 3/10/2008

Question
i have 2 bottles of brandy one is solera extra 1912 spanish the other is three barrels rare old french brandy 70 proof 12 fl. ozs. is there any value to these brandys or should i just drink and enjoy

Answer
HI David

Sadly, 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 these should be perfectly good to drink.  The bad news is that they won't taste much different from a current bottling.  As a result, connoisseurs wouldn't pay much more for these bottles.  I would estimate the value of these bottles at around $35-50 at a wine and spirits auction.

I should note that the term solera refers to a blending process that adds new wines to old wines...and that the bottle you have is almost certainly from much later than 1912.  That is the date that the initial blend was begun.   

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.

You might find more interest 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.

Sorry I can't give you more exciting news.

Paul Wagner