Expert: Paul Wagner - 1/6/2010

Question
I was gifted an unboxed bottle of Bras Arme cognac.  Label is in excellent condition and US Revenue tag clearly has tax reg number. Looking for year and value

Answer
Hi Sophia

I can't help you with the date--Cognacs are not vintage dated because they are always a blend of wines to create a certain style.  Distilled spirits like this are so high in alcohol that they don't change much over time in the bottle.  The good news is that yours should be fine to drink.  The bads news is that it won't have appreciated in value the way some fine wines do.  I'd estimate yours at about what a current bottling of similar cognac might sell for:  about $35.  I wouldn't bother trying to sell it, I would just use it up over the next year...  

You might want to check with the guys at antiquebottles.com.  They could tell you if the bottle itself might be worth more than the liquid inside...

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

Paul Wagner