Expert: Paul Wagner - 5/12/2008

Question
My parents found an unopened bottle of alcohol in the attic.  It is unopened in a box.  The box says it is  "One Wine Gallon" alcohol 190 proof.  It has an official stamp sealed on the box.  It is dated January 23, 1922 and has a serial number on the box of 82518J.  Other pertinent information is:
U.S. Industrial Alcohol Co.
B.W.H. NO.1 DIST. MD.
PERMIT NO.1
I. C. C. -2

Any ideas what this is worth, or who might know?

Answer
Hi Mark

This is pure alcohol, pretty much straight from the still during the Prohibition era  .  It won't have much flavor at all---that comes from aging in oak barrels and the flavorings that are added.  And be careful--this stuff could probably work just fine as fuel for your car.  That's why almost all distilled spirits are dilute by the addition of at least 50% water.  What you have is the pure, unadulterated alcohol.

You might find a museum that might be interested in this from a historical perspective, but from a connoisseur's point of view, this isn't of much interest or value.  

Sorry I can't give you more exciting news.

Paul Wagner