Expert: Paul Wagner - 12/19/2006

Question
Hi Paul, Googled for I.W.Harper and got this url with your response to a query regarding I.W.Harper...soooo, my question is : I recently was cleaning out my liquor cabinet and found a half full bottle of 4 year old Harper in a "Handle" Bottle and without a front label. After much memory recall I remembered sending the label in for a rebate some years ago....(a heavy drinker you can tell)....Is the remainder of the bottle drinkable???? Smells like I remember from ten years ago or so.....The cap was tight and cabinet rear has been dark all the time...Is it drinkable? Pitching it would be OK but I always did Harper during my clubbing days.....Appreciate your comments.....Thanks, Old Hal

Answer
Hi Hal:

The alcoholic content of most distilled spirits is so high that they don't change much over time.  This bottle should be fine--it may taste a little more caramelized than you remember, but it is perfectly safe to drink.  (this is assuming it really is IW Harper...and that your wife has not used the bottle to store something else entirely!)

And it is a bit of a collector's item.  Diageo, who owns the brand, no longer sells IW Harper in the US--only in Asia.  So don't fall in love with it--you won't be able to find any more!

Enjoy.

Paul Wagner