Whiskey people, to meee?

[Caffienated_Caramel]

Finally I have time to make a thread.

Ok, I inherited a very old bottle of Seagram's V.O. whiskey from my dad, who got it from a city of phoenix inspector in 1976. (The bottle is marked 1971)

It still has a tax seal on it so the thing hasn't been opened. What I have learned about whiskey is that it doesn't age once it's sealed and that since it's Seagram's it's not a very good whiskey either. (least that's what I'm told, I don't know a damn thing)

Husband was very insistent on keeping it and having some on special occasions.

I'm wanting to know is the whiskey safe to drink? Does it expire? Is it worth keeping the bottle for collectors sake? Or is there any mixed drinks to recommend with it? Is it good enough to cook with?

And the like, I really don't know much about alcohol except that some wines get better with age.

[wolfie]

There's a site (IIRC, it's www.stilltasty.com) where you can look up virtually any consumable and see what the shelf life is. Distilled liquor of all types is one of 2 items (the other being salt) that has an indefinite shelf life (i.e. unless it gets contaminated, it doesn't go bad) regardless of whether it's in the original sealed package, or whether it's been opened.

Food gets spoiled by microorganisms. They need something to eat (normally sugars), which they won't find in whiskey. Also, whiskey has an alcohol content of around 40%, which will kill off microorganisms. It's not the sealing that stops the whiskey from aging, it's putting it in a glass bottle (where it can no longer leach flavour out of the wood barrel). Still, your source is right that once it's in the bottle, it no longer ages.

Is it safe to drink? I'd give it a qualified "Yes" - qualified in that it's no less safe (and no more safe) than an equivalent bottle fresh from your local liquor store - the fact that it was bottled over 40 years ago is irrelevant.

Is it worth keeping for collector's sake? "Mass market" liquor bottles from the 1970s aren't worth much, although "specialty" bottles (i.e. the Jim Beam limited edition train bottles) can have high prices. My guess is that the main value for this bottle would be sentimental (i.e. "This is Dad's whiskey bottle") - but check with someone who deals in old bottles to be sure.

As for the quality of the booze within, Jester would probably be the best qualified to answer that (or at least point you to an appropriate source, since I believe his knowledge of liquor is more extensive for rum than for other types).

[KiaKat]

Seagrams is pretty mass-market. It's likely drinkable, but if you're any sort of lover-of-whiskey, then it won't be good for much more than mixing or using for hot toddies.

Wolfie is right about it not going bad - but if it's been stored improperly (i.e. in direct light, near a heat source, or on its side), it will have gone bad. Check the storage situation, and if you do open it, look at the stopper. If it's cork, and the cork looks chewed up, toss the whole thing. High-proof ethanol ruins corks and that's a bad thing. Given the age and the quality, however, it might be a screwcap. If that's the case, you're better off (though it still should have been stored upright, as alcohol can eat through a lot of substances, given enough time).

[Caffienated_Caramel]

Thank you guys for responding, I do appreciate it. That still tasty site has been useful, I didn't know it existed.

[cinema guy]

It won't get better with age. The aging process is from the casks, before it was bottled.

But conversly, it won't get worse either!

[Ironclad Alibi]

Ok, I inherited a very old bottle of Seagram's V.O. whiskey from my dad, who got it from a city of phoenix inspector in 1976. (The bottle is marked 1971)

Keep it as a novelty. How many people have a 43 year old bottle of whiskey? It will only get older, and will make for an interesting heirloom item someday.

I have a 68 year old bottle of Windward Islands rum. The tax stamp is dated 1946. It belonged to my wife's aunt. I have no plans to open it. I value it too much as a curiosity.