Expert: Paul Wagner - 9/16/2009

Question
Hi, I stumbled upon some old unopened handles of whiskey.  A couple I know off hand are VAT69, and Black & White whiskeys.  

I want to know how to find out if they're worth anything to a collector, or if I should just drink it?

I know the bottles are old because they've been sitting in a house for decades, however, I don't think the bottles are dated which might hinder things..?

-Hank.

Answer
Hi Hank

Distilled spirits are rarely vintage dated, because their alcohol levels are so high that they don't really change much in the bottle, the way some fine wines do.  They improve in the barrel, but not the bottle.  SO your bottle taste about the way they did when they were first bottled...and are worth roughly what a currently bottling of the same product is worth.

On the other hand, the glass bottles themselves are sometimes valuable collectibles.  Check with the guys at antiquebottles.com to see if they are interested in  yours...

Sorry that I can't give you  more exciting news


Paul Wagner