Expert: Paul Wagner - 9/30/2008

Question
I have a Courvoisier 4-5L bottle in a wooden tipping stand with wheels, on the label it states "Fournisseur Brevet des Cours Etrangeres" COURVOISIER The Brandy of Napoleon. Cognac. Fine Champagne. Produce of France. By appointment purveyors of Cognac Brandy to The late King George V1,Courvoisire Ltd V.S.O.P. Fine Champagne" etc Is it worth anything or safe to drink, looks full & still sealed. Many thanks for any advise

Answer
Hi Rebecca

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1952, so this bottle was produced before then, I am pretty sure.  

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 $150, 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 one this old might be worth more than the liquid inside.  

Sorry I can't give you more exciting news.

Paul Wagner