Expert: Paul Wagner - 11/3/2007

Question
My dad was cleaning out his liquor cabinet and found some old bottles that had the Alberta or Canadian liquor seals on them, from when we had a government controlled liquor board. He is convinced that they are worth something. One is an McGuinness Silk Tassel Canadian Whisky from 1989 and the other is Alberta Pure Vodka. There is also one bottle of Hiram Walker Peppermint schnapps. I'm not sure if the liquors are valuable on their own, of if it's the government seals that make them special, but if you could point me in the right direction that be great! Thanks

Oh, my dad also wants to know why his unopened bottle of Brugal Anejo Extra Viejo is evaporating?

Thanks
Kailen
Calgary Alberta, Canada

Answer
Hi Kailen

You are right that the liquid inside these bottles isn't worth much--distilled spirits have too much alcohol to change much in the bottle, for better or for worse.

But to find out about the bottles, you would have to go to a bottle collecting expert.  Try checking out the antiquebottles.com site.  They have great info, and a few of the guys there are really ready to help, too.

Hope that gives you a place to start.

Paul Wagner