Expert: David Baines - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi David,
 I have recently purchased 7 assorted bottles of spirits from an auction house and would be most grateful if you could give some info on age and value, with regards to the 4 bottles i think are of the most interest.
 I have attached a picture of the Grand Marnier and will send the other pics directly.

many thanks
Dean

ANSWER: Dean,

I have had a look at the photographs, The VAT 69 looks fairly recent as it has a screw cap, the Gordons I suspect is older possibly 1950s, The Benedictine also looks quite old, and the Grand Marnier has a fairly recent foil capsule.

Could you have a look at all the bottles and let me know the Alcohol content on each bottle and the Volume of liquid, this is important in defining age, if they are old they will have the Alcohol in degrees proof, and the volume will be in fluid ounces, if more modern they will show a percentage of alcohol, and the volume will be in centiliters.

Kind regards.

David Baines.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi David,
 the gin is 94.4 proof and 4/5 of a quart, as well as the pic i sent you I also have another with exactly the same label but with a screw top.
 The VAT 69 has no info on alcohol content or liquid volume.
 The Grand Marnier has no info also apart from a 4 digit bottle number printed on the right hand side of the label 7864.
 The Benedictine has a 43 followed by a small 0 symbol printed on the bottom left corner of label.
 If you need me to send any more specific pictures of labels please ask.
thanks for the info so far, very interesting.
Dean  

Answer
Dean,

The VAT 69 is fairly recent as is the Grand Marnier, and would only achieve at auction in the region of £15/30, the Gordons and the Benedictine I think are older and could achieve an auction price of £20/30, possibly more, bearing in mind that I always estimate on the low side to attract more bidders.

I hope this answers some of your questions,

Kind regards,

David Baines Wine Consultant to Charterhouse Auctions Sherborne Dorset.