Expert: Paul Wagner - 6/18/2007

Question
I recently inherited A LOT of old liquor! I found that the whiskey is still drinkable, but while imbibing, I did notice some some stuff (like little pieces of dust/debris) floating in my whiskey. I assured my friends it was good and we're still alive. Any ideas on what might be in it? (about 30-50 years old or more...) Also, while the whiskey was good, what about the old Kaluhua, Grand Marnier, and Hennesey? (all sealed.) Is that still good?

Also, any idea on their value? (I did my research in your questions about my old I.W. Harper bourbon, but i didn't see a single post on Old Taylor bourbon, which I have a lot of to.)

THANKS!

Answer
Hi Ryan

Hmmmm.  Your old whiskey should be fine to drink, as long as it has been unopened until now.  With the level of alcohol in this stuff, there is not much that can live in it.  Drinking older bottles that were opened a long time ago does introduce the possibility that somebody else added something to the liquid back then...

But all of these should be OK.  They all have alcohol levels of around 80 proof or so, which is 40% alcohol.  Of course, the value for this stuff is pretty much what you paid for it.  Older whiskeys, especially the common commercial ones, don't appreciate in value over time.

The Kahlua, because it has most ingredients, might have lost of bit of flavor over the years, but I don't it is very different.  

As for Old Taylor--they stopped making the stuff in 1972.  Here is link to a nice story about the distillery:

http://www.ellenjaye.com/ghosts.htm

The brand is now used as a second label for inexpensive bourbon.  A fifth sells for about $12 a bottle.



Paul Wagner