Expert: Paul Wagner - 1/20/2010

Question
Have a Gallon bottle of Ron Bacardi Superior, In a wicker wrap from Santiago Cuba. It has a US Navy sticker on the neck. There is a tag tied on with twine that says "COMM. OFFICER'S MESS OPEN GUANTANAMO BAY CUBA" there is a number on the tag as well, 59-153.
The bottle is full and unopened. I believe it is pre-Castro navy reum. Your thoughts please as to any value, or should I just drink it?

Answer
Hi Dave

From the point of view of the liquid inside, it doesn't really matter. Distilled spirits like this are so high in alcohol that they don't really change over time in the bottle.  The good news is that yours is fine to drink.  The bad news is that it won't have appreciated in value over time the way some fine wines do.  By the way, the officer's mess at Guantanamo still exists and this bottle may be more recent than you think.

You might want to check with  the nice folks at antiquebottles.com  They can tell you if the bottle is worth more than the liquid inside--although they are generally more interested in Scotch bottles, I think.

Sorry that I can't give you more exciting news

Paul  Wagner