Expert: Paul Wagner - 11/27/2004

Question
Paul

I have an old bottle of armagnac that reads:
Cuvee Jean IV
XO 42 (degree symbol)
Appellation Controlee
Duscastaing Vic Fezensac

It is shaped like a bottle of Crown Royal only it has a nickle colored metal frame around it and a leather latch as if to carry on a belt.  I'm guessing it is maybe 50 years old.  It has been stored at room temperature (sometimes hot and sometimes cold) and has not be kept on its side.  Would you assume the stuff will have kept all these years and do you have any idea of the approximate value of such a thing?

Answer
Dear John:

The good news is that distilled spirits like brandy and cognac do not deteriorate much with age.  They are so high in alcohol that they can withstand considerable mistreatment.  The bad news is that your bottle isn't worth much.  It is from an unknown producer, and since age doesn't change the liquid much, the age of your bottle doesn't make it worth much more either.  

Open it up and enjoy!

Paul Wagner