Expert: Paul Wagner - 1/3/2009

Question
Hi, I have a very old Hiram Walker & Sons, Inc. on the cap bottle.  It is a one pint brown glass bottle and shaped like a flask. On the bottom is some sort of hallmark and numbers D23 then under it 65-7.  The back of the bottle has raised letters saying the following: Federal Law forbids sale of re-use of this bottle.  The bottle also has beautiful design all over it.  I was wondering if this rare and may be worth anything?
Thanks for your input.

Answer
HI Maura

HIram Walker has a very high alcohol level, like other distilled products, so the value of the liquor inside won't be worth much.  The alcohol level is so high that the stuff tastes pretty much like it did when it was bottled.  I would estimate it at about $35.  

But the bottle itself may have a great deal more value.  I am a wine and beverage expert, not a bottle expert, so I can't tell you much about this one.  But I can tell you that you can get a lot more information  from the guys at antiquebottles.com.  I would suggest that you copy every letter or number on the bottle for them...and a photo also helps them to pinpoint the age and type of bottle you have.

Paul Wagner