Expert: Paul Wagner - 12/17/2007

Question
courvoisier cognacin sealed bottle...filled in 3 stars
maetell cognac....sealed bottle
hennesssy cognac...sealed
remey martin..v.s.e.p fine champagne cognac....sealed
all at least 50 years old with original labels....are they worth anything or just good to drink???

Answer
Hi Harry

Distilled spirits have such high alcohol levels that they don't really change in the bottle, for better or for worse, the way fine wines do.  So the good news is that these should be just fine to drink.  The bad news is that they are not immensely valuable.  I would estimate that at between $50 and $150 each...

A bottle collector might be willing to pay at least that much, and never open them.  Check with antiquebottles.com for more info on that side of the equation.

Sorry that I can't be the bearer of more exciting news.  They should taste good, though!

Paul Wagner