Expert: Paul Wagner - 5/26/2008

Question
I have an unopened bottle of Scotch, which my uncle gave me for Christmas. He found it in my grandparents house, and while I can't find a year on the import label, we believe my grandparents probably bought it in the 1950's.  The lid is secured with a twisted wire, and I read that White Horse started using screw tops even earlier (than the '50's), so maybe the bottle is older than we thought.  There are quite a couple import-tax-related labels on the bottle, and I'm sure someone could determine the year if that became important.     

Anyway, as I understand it, Scotch only ages in the barrel, and so this whiskey would probably taste about the same as it did when it was bottled (hopefully fairly decent).  I don't suppose it's especially valuable.  Is it likely worth something unopened, or should I go ahead and drink it?  

thanks,

Paul

Answer
HI Paul

I think you have this pretty well in hand.  The whisky won't have changed much, so I wouldn't try to sell it to connoisseurs.

But before opening the bottle, I would check with the people at Antiquebottles.com.  The bottle itself might be worth far more than the liquid inside...and unless you really love whisky, it might make sense for you to explore that option.  

It's a good website, with lots of information and very helpful people.

Paul Wagner