Expert: Paul Wagner - 7/6/2008

Question
Calling all whisky experts,
My father-in-law has a bottle of Dunhill old master finest scotch whisky, marked with the cellar masters' number.  He bought it in the early 70s in Peru.  He wants to open it to celebrate an anniversary, but we wanted to know first if this is an extremely rare bottle (i.e., more rare than an anniversary!) Does anyone know the value of this bottle?  Thanks in advance.
Robert

Answer
Hi Robert

Distilled spirits like this have such high alcohol levels that they don't change much over time.  That means that your bottle should be just fine to drink, but it also means that it hasn't improved with age the way some fine wines do.  The result is that you won't be able to sell this for much more than a current bottling.  It's good stuff, but I don't think it would sell for more than about $75, at most---and only if you can really show that it hasn't been damaged or diluted in any way.  

It is illegal for private individuals to sell alcoholic beverages in the USA, so you have to work through an auction house or wine shop. They will, in turn, ask for a commission.

You might check with the folks at antiquebottles.com--they know more about the actual bottles and boxes than I do, and the bottles might be worth more than the liquid inside.  

Sorry I can't give you more exciting news.

Paul Wagner