Johnnie Walker

Ok I bought this 1/2 gallon bottle of JW black in a nice pouring stand from this guy which had a sticker on it that says US Navy Mess. The story behind the bottle is the guys dad bought while in the US Navy during the Korean war. It has never been opened and has all the original seals. I'm not ready to open it and I wonder if it is still good. Any one have any thoughts?


It is the bottle on right.

The taste of the scotch depends on how it was stored and whether the seal has remained intact. Since you bought it from someone else, there's really no telling on how it was truly kept. While in your possession, make sure it the scotch does NOT come in contact with the cork, keep it out of the sunlight and keep it in moderate temps. Also, once it was out of the casks and bottled - maturing stopped.

[Jojo]

Canis Pugnax -

Send some photographs of your bottle to Christine - Diageo Archive Manager: Christine.J.McCafferty (AT) diageo.com

Make sure your photos clearly show each label and the closure being used, as well as a general shot. This will enable Christine to date the bottle as accurately as possible. If the bottle is as old as it appears, she does NOT recommend drinking the contents. Diageo's Technical Department have advised that whisky is at its best for 10-15 years - it may not go off, but it might lose its flavor if it is any older, especially if it is pre-screw cap!

Good luck - keep us posted!

Thanks I will contact her and send some pics.

[Jojo]

Excellent! Keep us posted - we'd love it you could post her feedback here on the Forum for everyone to see!

I'm glad I found this post. I was just given some really old bottles of Johnny Walker Red and Black, as well as some Tanqueray.

Can I email in pix to see how old they might be? The bottles are sealed in what appears to be a holiday gift box.

I just cracked one of the Black bottles open and tasted against a bottle I have that's a few months old. Seemed to taste the same, so far, but I only had a sip.

Thanks.

Chris P
chris@prezgay.com

I've been enjoying a bottle of JWB that must be about 30-40 years old. All evening my friend jen had it and I brought some home with me Im drinking it right now. I'm not a fan of JWB at all I must say, But this is no average JWB and not because its aged any longer but because the size of their production has gone up 5 fold and the no matter how hard they have tried to keep it all the same they cant.

I think all distillers that they bought from back then had more really top quality to blend, each barrel is different and back then the lame ones would get sold to a blender with a lesser reputation. But now the big D owns some if not all of the components of JWB to ensure they can meet demand. don't you all think that's why this lady says not to drink it? she doesn't want you to know what it use to taste like and the taste that built there reputation.

Like I said I don't like the stuff - I'm hooked on Lagavulin and have had two 21 year old and a 12 in the past few months loves the 16... But the point is I brought the JWB home with me because it'ss just the rot gut they sell now days Im sure of it, darker slightly to we had a new bottle with us also..

I have a bottle of JWB I've had it for over 60 years how do I find out its worth?

can you send me a picture to jmontes@angelsenterprises.org Thanks