Expert: Paul Wagner - 4/5/2009

Question
Dear sir, I was recently given a 750ml unopened bottle of courvoisier that I would like to have dated and valued.The bottle reads;courvoisier extra vieille.The label; courvoisier cognac product of france  "The brandy of napoleon". Label on neck; By appointment purveyors of cognac brandy to the late king george VI courvoisier Ltd.

Answer
HI Douglas

Distilled spirits like this are so high in alcohol that they don't change much over time.  The good news is that this bottle is probably still quite good to drink.  The bad news is that these don't appreciate in value over time the way some fine wines do.  I would estimate the age of this to be about 50 years, and it would probably sell for roughly $50-75 on the auction market.

Hope that helps.

Paul Wagner