Expert: Paul Wagner - 1/6/2009

Question
Hello,
I have found some old bottles that belonged to my grandfather. They are all unopened and i would like to know how old they may be, and if they have any value:
- a Bols mandarin liqueur, of spanish origin bottled in Tarragona, around 1969 i believe;
- a Stroh inländer rum 80%, 1litre flask;
- a Porto wine Founders Reserve, from S. V. Borges & Irmao, with no label;
- a Cinzano Bianco, with a label that looks like some 20 years old.

Thank you,
Hugo O'Neill

Answer
Hi Hugo

The Bols and the Rum are both fine, but won't be worth lots of money---about $25 a bottle.  They are so high in alcohol that they don't change much over time.  

The Cinzano Bianco is certainly dead as a doornail.

The Porto is probably a vintage character port, and probably pretty old tasting...but it might still be interesting to try.  Just have a back up bottle.  It's value might be something like $35-50.

Paul Wagner