Expert: Paul Wagner - 12/25/2007

Question
Hi,

I'm trying to determine the age of a bottle of Courvoisier.  I found it in my
parents liquor cabinet and has never been opened.  They said that they had it
from their wedding, and was likely given to them after being leftover from
THEIR parents wedding.

The Bottle is dark green, about 9.5 inches tall, with a bird logo molded into
the bottle.  I've noticed other people mentioning serial numbers, but I cannot
find any on the bottle.  The "foil" at the top and the labels are a bonze-gold
colour.

There is a label on the neck saying "By Appointment Purveyors of Cognac
Brandy To The Late King George VI Courvoisier Ltd".

On the bottom of the bottle, is "U S", as well as "M A" and a small logo that
looks like 2 squares with "S G" inside the squares.

I've taken a few shots of the bottle and attached links.  Can you please help
me understand when this bottle was made, if it is worth anything, and if it is
safe to drink (I've never had Cognac).

Thanks so much!!!!

http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/nkroll123/?
action=view¤t=IMG_2455.jpg
http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/nkroll123/?
action=view¤t=IMG_2463.jpg
http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/nkroll123/?
action=view¤t=IMG_2462.jpg
http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/nkroll123/?
action=view¤t=IMG_2459.jpg
http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/nkroll123/?
action=view¤t=IMG_2457.jpg


Answer
Hi Noah

I can't give you an exact date for the bottle, only Courvoisier could do that, but I can answer much of the rest of your question.  Because it mentions the late King George, we are talking about something made in the early 1950's.  Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1952--and that would be after George had died.  So I would guess that this bottle is about 50 years old or so.

Distilled spirits like Cognac do not change much in the bottle, for better or for worse, because the alcohol levels are so high.  The good news is that this one should be perfectly good to drink.  The bad news is that it doesn't taste much different from a current bottling from the same company.  I would estimate the value of this at around $60-75.  If it were a VSOP, it would be worth more, of course.

If it were mine, I would open it up over the holidays with family or special friends and enjoy it.

Sorry I can't give you more exciting news.   Hope you have happy holiday season.

Paul Wagner