Ask The Collector - October

And now another installment of our very popular "Ask The Collector" column in which Sukhinder Singh of The Whisky Exchange answers questions about the value of collectible whisky.

The Collector is published on the last Friday of each month, though we generally respond to questions within a day or so (completely dependant upon Sukhinder's schedule).

Remember, when you are in London, you can visit The Whisky Exchange in Hanwell or at their satellite at Vinopolis near the Borough Market. And of course, The Whisky Exchange takes mail orders.

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Ground Rules

We are getting swamped with emails every month! Believe me, we get a LOT of questions and only a small percentage of them make it here - but we try to respond to everyone.

In order to help reduce the amount of work, I thought I'd establish some ground rules:

1. Before emailing, please look through the old "Ask The Collector" stories, to see if a similar bottle has already been appraised. If we get another question about the value of a bottle of White Horse from 1990, I'm going to put my head through the screen.
2. Some people have been leaving questions for Sukhinder in the comments. This is a no-no. I will assume any questions left in comments are for other readers to answer and NOT for Sukhinder - If you want Sukhinder's expert opinion please use the "...Ask the Collector" email address in the link to the right.
3. No questions will be considered without an included picture. I spend too much time asking people for pictures. Starting in 2007, I'm afraid we can't respond to any questions which don't include a picture of the bottle. In you don't include a picture, you won't get a response. Make sure your pictures include the fill level as well as the label and any distinguishing characteristics!
4. If Sukhinder makes an offer to buy your bottle, please do him the courtesy of responding whether you accept his offer or not.
5. Please visit The Whisky Exchange - either in person or via their website. Let's support Sukhinder, as he is providing this valuation services for free!

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Dear Collector,

As my father was cleaning out his house, he found this bottle of King's Ransom "Round the World" blended scotch whisky which my grandfather gave him (if he remembers correctly) in the early 1940's. On the label it says the bottle is 4/5 quart and is 94 proof. The bottle has never been opened and it has the original box.

It also has the original wire netting around the bottle. There is an international tax label from Newark, NJ and a State of Florida Liquor Excise Tax label as well. I am attaching a picture of the bottle so you can see it. Do you have any idea how valuable this bottle would be now, if any value. Also, do you know, is there a way to find out how old this whisky is and any information about this particular bottle? Thank you for your time and energy.

Sincerely,
Karl K.

Dear Karl,

Nice bottle, dates 1940's / 1950's
Level is a little low, so I would say is worth, about US$60 - $80.
Sukhinder

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Dear TSB,

Could you please help me, I am looking to buy two old bottles of Bowmore whisky.

The first is a Bowmore Rectangle Bicentenary 10 year old Matured in Sherry Cask and the second one is a Bowmore Sherriff's 7 year old with it's original box.

If you have them or know anyone who is selling them please let me know.

Thanks for your help.
Regards, David T.

Hi David,

We get these bottles from time to time.

I have a Bowmore 7 yo. £399.00 ex-vat

Sukhinder

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Dear Collector:

I recently acquired 2 different, unopened bottles of Scotch that appear to be very old but I cannot find any dating on either of them.  The only clue there may be is a "State of Wisconsin Occupational Tax" stamp of $0.40 on each bottle.  Both bottles are blended Scotch Whisky's...(Johnny Walker Black) & (White Horse Cellar).  I've never heard of the latter of the two.  I'm more acquainted with single malts.

Both bottles are still very full.  The White Horse appears to have lost less than a half-ounce, if any, and the Johnny Walker Black, perhaps an ounce or an ounce-and-a-half through evaporation.  Are these bottles worth enough to keep them or sell them to a collector?  If not, do you feel that they are still potable?  The labels are not in perfect condition but they are both in very, very good condition.  The White Horse bottle has a pressed cardboard cover box that is in fair condition.  The bottom has decayed, most likely due to moisture (damp storage).

Any information you're able to provide to me will be very much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Ralph L.

Hi Ralph

Both bottles are very nice and in good condition
The White Horse is pre 1936 and the J W Black about the same area.
Both are very drinkable and probably better than some Single Malts of today.

We are currently paying US$200 for the White Horse and US$100 for the J Walker.
Hope this gives you an idea.

Sukhinder

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Dear Mr Singh,

It is very interesting to me how would you estimate a couple of highly collectible bottles - one of them is Port Ellen 12 YO bottled on the occasion of the visit from H.M. The Queen to Port Ellen Maltings on 9th August, 1980. The other one is a rare original bottling of Caperdonich 5 YO which is currently in The Whisky Exchange stock.

Thanks in advance
Mikhail S. (Mixa)

Hi Mixa,
 
The Caperdonich 5yo is the only old distillery bottling known.
We currently sell for about GBP £600.00 inc-vat.
 
The Port Ellen is mega-rare and was only given to VIP's who were invited to this state visit. I believe only a few dozen bottles were made.
With rare bottles like this there is no fixed price, let's put it this way - I would happily pay GBP £2,000 for it.
 
Regards
Sukhinder

Comments

[Butch Calderwood]

I have bottle no. 342065 of White Horse Cellar whisky. The lead seal is intact. The label reads 'by appointment to His Majesty The King'
Is this a valuable bottle of scotch?
regards
Butch Calderwood
Sydney Australia

[Arash]

Dear All,

I have recently bought a bottle of White Hourse whiskey and still doubt if it is not a fake one. Could you pls advice?

Many thanks.

[Kevin Erskine]

If the label says "White Hourse whiskey". Then it IS a fake.

[Jim Smith]

Have bottled of May 1940 White Horse Scotch still sealed with all labels and orginal box.

What is it worth and how would I sell it?

[mark]

I have this collectible johnnie walker oldest whiskey with serial no. F022051JW, 75cl. unopened. complete with hardcase box and catalog .. How much is this worth...?

[Stephen G.]

Dear Collector.
I have a bottle of King's Ransom Round the World it has the box and wire net and the wrapping paper. The bottle is full and everything is in excellant condition.The seal over the cap is from glenmore distilleries company Louisville Kentucky and the number is43-6239171. And the state of Indiana tax sticker number is 30071671. I would like to know if you can determin the date of the bottle from the info given? If not I understand it is from the 40's and 50's. And can you tell me the value of such bottle in the best condition possible?

Much appreciation.
Stephen g.

[Lori]

I have a Kings Ransom gift set. There is an empty bottle of King Ransom blended scotch whiskey with a glass and two shot glasses. The case is wooden and is shaped like a treasure chest. The bottom of the bottle says William Whiteley & Co. Even though the bottle is empty, it still has all the labels on it. Any idea what this may be worth?

[karen]

i have an empty 1 gallon bottle of white horse whiskey with wooden stand with reg no. DJ7210416 please can you tell me the value and how best to sell it. thankyou

[Judy]

My aunt recently passed away and I found in her belongings a full gallon bottle, seal unbroken in a stand with the code DJ No: 5263242 of White Horse Scotch Whisky. It also has a code 2025D. Is this valuable?

[richard edwards]

dear collector
i have a bottle of white horse americans cup scotch unopened and a o'brians pure malt 12yo scotch are they worth anything
thanks for your time and energy

[Patricia Johnson]

Dear Collector,
I too have a full unopen 4/5 pint 86.8 proof bottle of White Horse Cellar Scotch Whisky. No 54493 with the words, By Appointment to His Majesty the King. However the cap is medal and curled up with a medal rod running through it and twisted at the back. All labels front and back and across he top are in mint condition. I have a photo of the front and back of the bottle. It was found in my Aunt and Uncle's home in Hartford, Ct. The house was built in 1920 and we think the bottle may have been left there by the previous owner. Any value accessment you can give would be graetly appreciated. If anyone is interested in purchasing the bottle I'm interested in selling it.
Thank You

Sincerely,

Pat Johnson

[katrina]

I have 6 old white horse scotch whisky and would like to know how much thay are, xu4497701 could you let me know about them. Thank you

[Raphael Reda]

I have one bottle of Seagram's V.O. Canadian Whisky 86.8 proof seal # 01709981
Date on seal 1949. Bottle is excellent sealed, full to the brim.
Please advise on value.
Thank You Raphael Reda

[Steve]

I have a 4.5 litre bottle of Johnnie Walker red label in its metal cradle, unopened and stored for the past 30 years. A value estimate would be very much appreciated before it is opened.

[cintia straky]

Vendo botella Whisky Hourse White numerada aproximadamente 160 a񯳠antiguedad en perfecto estado de conservacion tanto la botella, etiqueta y contenido, lacrada numero de serie 2442133

[Allan]

I have a White Horse Whisky 1 Gallon bottle, unopened, in a wire cradle with a registered label - No. 6703. I believe that the item was purchased in Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia in 1957/58. Label has come a drift from bottle but still intacted. A value estimate would be appreciated. Many thanks, Allan.

[Lisa]

I have a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label.I have no idea how old it is or the value.It is still sealed and was given to me 10 years ago,at that time I was told it was over 30 years old.Serial number on the label is 062174994.Somerset Importers LTD New York.

[Monica Valenzuela]

I have no.171085 of White Horse Cellar Whisky
from the original recipe 1746
The Glasgow, Scotland
Is this a valuable bottle of Scotch?
Monica Valenzuela

[Kurt Lundquist]

I have a Kings Ransom gift set. There is an full bottle of King Ransom blended scotch whiskey with a glass and a shot glass. The case is wooden and is shaped like a treasure chest. There is a key to wind up the box and it plays music. It is at least 75 years old. The bottom of the bottle says William Whiteley & Co. Any idea what this may be worth?

[Edward Giza]

A friend on mine's father recently passed. While cleaning we found an unopened bottle of Johnnie Walker White in the original box in pretty good condition. I know they stopped producing it in 1916 but cant seem to find a value for it. It may have been brought here by his grandparents who came from scotland around that time. any idea to the value

[Tony Barton]

I have a bottle of Black and White with a wire twist cap. In addition the bottle is sealed with a federal band and in raised letters on the bottle the following "Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle". Also the James Buchanan Co., etc. is in raised letters on the lower portion of the bottle. The band has some numbers printed on them.

Any ideas? What intrigued me was the twist wire cap. The bottle is almost full, but has never been open.

Thanks,
Tony

[Graham H]

We have a 4.5 litre bottle of red label Jonnie Walker on a wooden and metal cradle. It is unopened and passed down from my grandfather.Underneath it is stamped 1975. We were wondering the value of this?

[Philip Ross]

We have a pint bottle of White Horse blended Scotch Whisky, registration number EB No. 1849407. The label says "This label is Registered" and "Distilled and Bottle in Scotland under British Government Supervision"

Can you tell us anything about the date it was distilled, etc.?

[luc]

i have small bottle like philip 12/26
any value

[Scooter]

I got a bottle of Jonnie Walker Red Lable. Its over 20 years old and unopen. Is it worth anything?