Expert: Paul Wagner - 7/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: i have the above bottle untouched, it is pre 1981 confirmed by remy martin as it has the round stopper not the flues delys stopper, how much could this bottle be worth and where is the best place to sell it.

ANSWER: Hi Alyson

This is great stuff, and right now there are about five bottles of it for sale on ebay---most of them for around $900-1000.  

It is illegal for private individuals to sell alcoholic beverages in the USA, so technically you have to sell this as a collectible, not for consumption.  Or you have to go through an auction house or local retailer who will ask for a commission.

Paul Wagner

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you for the prompt reply, i seen the ones on ebay but they are all modern versions that an be brought from retailers, mine is as i stated already at least 28 years old. i was wondering if there was anywhere i could get a value for it.

Answer
Hi Alyson

Distilled spirits like Cognac don't actually change much in the bottle, so the age of yours is not a key factor.  It will taste pretty much like the current releases...and have a similar value.  Unlike some fine wines that improve a lot with  aging in the bottle, COgnacs only improve with aging in the barrel, before bottling.

Paul Wagner