Expert: Paul Wagner - 4/7/2008

Question
My Grampa just passed away and we have found bottle of Amarito Amaretto in his closet.  He did not drink alcohol and we are guessing he received it as a gift from a client many years ago.  Maybe 40 or more.  It is in a box and its label is Amarito Amaretto Liqueur.  750 ml 56 proof.  Has a bar code of 85316 18009  on the bottom it has  Amore e Gioia.  Bottled by Mar-Salle Company, Chicago Ill, Sole Agents USA.  It also has a Bureau of ATF bottle stamp sticker over the cap.  The box has the same label and one side has a bunch of horses on it.  How old do you think this bottle is?  Just curious to know how long its been in there.

Answer
Hi Lenny

I can't really tell you how old the bottle is--those numbers are always proprietary, and the companies never explain what they mean.  That way they can track the product without having the consumer worry about which bottling lot they get.  I can tell you that the Mar-Salle company closed its doors in the 1960's so it is at least as old as that.  

This stuff has a pretty high alcohol content, so it may not taste great, but it probably won't hurt you to drink it.  It doesn't have any value to collectors, though.

SOrry I can't give you more exciting news.

Paul Wagner