Expert: Paul Wagner - 5/15/2010

Question
Paul,

Beverages - B and B Le Directeur

I also have a 23/32 Quart Dom B and B Liqueur (see question from Adam dated 7/26/2009)...I have an old bottle of DOM Benedictine and brandy Le Directeur with initials A.L(I think)under Le Directeur. It is made by Benedictine S.A. Fecamp (France),sole agents for the United States Julius Wile Sons and Co. Inc. New York. It is 23/32 quart and 86 proof. The paper seal is intact with legible number and metal seal is riveted on.

My bottle has a gold seal, no paper seal
On my bottle the importer label is different and appears to be an older version.  The neck of the bottle has a blue and gold label. SOLE AGENTS         Julius       IMPORTERS
FOR THE U.S.A.       WILE        NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.
                  SONS %26 CO

The right and left side of the importer label is blue/trimmed with gold with all letering in white, The center is gold with an oval shape and contains the name Julius in italic lettering. WILE is in large,bold lettering,SONS %26 CO is small plain lettering. This makes me believe that it was produced/imported before company was sold to Nabisco in 1972 or before Julius Wile retired 1978. Also note the city reference to New Hyde Park.
Any idea how old? value?  
Thanks in advance for your reply.   
Barbra

Answer
HI Barbra

As you may have gathered from my answers to some similar questions, this bottle won't have appreciated in value much.  In distilled spirit products like this, the alcohol level is so high that they dont' change much over time, for better or for worse.  So it's fine to drink, but it won't have appreciated in value the way some fine wines do.  THat's why these are never vintage dated.

It's probably worth about $25 or so.  It's illegal for private individuals to sell alcoholic beverages in the USA, so you'd have to go through a local wine and spirits retailer.  In all honesty, I think it would make a better gift for someone...

Sorry that I can give you more exciting news.

Paul Wagner