Expert: Paul Wagner - 10/1/2009

Question
A friend has asked me to discover the approximate value of a bottle of rum he bought while in the service in 1970. He still has it in the paper bag from the store. He is convinced a collector will pay a great deal for the bottle of Bacardi.

Answer
Hi David:

When it comes to what distilled products are worth, age really doesn't matter.  Distilled spirits like this are so high in alcohol that they really don't change much, for better or for worse, over time.  And as a result, they also don't appreciate in value the way some fine wines do.  The good news is that your bottle should be fine to drink.  The bad news is that it won't be worth much more than a current bottling.  I would estimate this one at about $30 or so.

I am sorry that I can't give you more exciting news.

Paul Wagner