Expert: Paul Wagner - 1/17/2010

Question
Hi!
I'm from South Africa and hope you can help me
.  I'd like to know what the value, if any, are for the following items.  Thank you in advance for your help!

Napoleon Reserve Brandy - (Bought in Argentina 1973)
Napoleon Raynal V.S.O.P Napoleon Brandy-(Bought 1976 in Paris,France)
Napoleon Bardinet Brandy-(Bought 1976 in Paris,France)
Courvoisier Napoleon Cognac V.S.O.P (Champagne Cognac)(Bought 1976 in Paris,France)
3 Plumas (Tres Plumas) Cognac - in posession since 1973
D.O.M Benedictine (whisky liquer) - in posession since 1973
Cointreau Liquer - in posession since 1973 (saw a bottle like it tecently in the Valkerie movie :) )
Whisky Dimple Haig - in posession since 1973

Thanx
Belinda

Answer
HI Belinda

Distilled spirits like these don't improve in the bottle the way some fine wines do--the alcohol level is much to high.  SO the good news is that these should all be tasty---fine to drink!

The bad news is that they haven't really appreciated in value much at all.  They're worth almost exactly what a current bottling of the same products would sell for.  

Sorry that I can't give you more exciting news, but at least you have some nice things to enjoy over the next few years.

Paul Wagner