Expert: Paul Wagner - 10/26/2009

Question
I found a old bottle of royal salute scoth whiskey in a dark brown ceramic flagon with the chivas brothers creast on the front,enclosed in a brown plush velvet opera bag. How much is it worth?

Answer
Hi Norm

Distilled spirits like this don't really change much once they have been bottled--the level of alcohol is too high.  So the good news is that this bottle should be perfectly good to drink.  The bad news is that it hasn't appreciated in value the way some fine wines do.  I'd guess that this one might sell for $50-75, maybe more, if it were sold at an auction.  But you'd have to pay a commission to the seller, as well.  

If it were mine, I would open it and drink it at special occasions over the next few years.

But the bottle itself may have value over and above the contents inside.  Check with the guys at antiquebottles.com, to see if they list any similar bottles, or are interested in this one.  You just might get lucky.

Sorry I don't have more exciting news for you.

Paul Wagner