Expert: Paul Wagner - 1/13/2010

Question
I have an unopened 750 ml bottle of Asbach I received in 1997. This bottle was purchased outside the US many years prior, by a friend who'd served in Germany. There seems to be no remarkable  wording on the label, and the red wax seal on it has been long gone. The bottle has a light green tint and the words LIQUOR BOTTLE WEST GERMANY in raised lettering near the base. The bottom, which is concave has several odd symbols, one that seems to be a backwards F with 3, not 2 horizontal lines;a sword crossing a hammer with a backwards 3; and the numbers 11 0,75 l 76,5. I'm curious as to the estimated age of the product, and to know if it's still drinkable.  

Answer
Hi SHeryl

This should be fine to drink.  Distilled spirits like this are so high in alcohol that they don't change much over time--nor do they appreciate in value the way some fine wines do.   Without seeing the label, I cannot estimate the age, but it doesn't really matter--that's why brandies like this are not vintage dated to begin with.  

If you like brandy, I would open this up and drink it--it is lovely stuff!

Paul Wagner