Pinch U.S. Navy Mess Issued

[sdannyboym]

Hi Jojo.
I came across this forum in search of some info regarding a bottle of Pinch Whisky I found at my grandparents house in the States a few years back.
It is an unopened, still sealed bottle, with wire netting and it has a U.S. Navy Mess stamp on it with a serial # (I guess). There is no date on it.
Any idea from when this bottle is? any clue as to the value of it? Thanks.
Danny

[Jojo]

I'm sure we'll be able to have it dated, but need photos.

If you need help posting pix - try this:

Hit reply and then in the body part of the thread. Look for the paper clip icon (to the right of the smiley face). Click on it - a new window will open which gives you the option to browse your computer for your photo. Once you do that and Upload - close that window. If your photo does not attach, that means it's too big, so re-size and try again. Once you're set and have closed out of that window, you'll be back to the main page with your question. Click on the paper clip icon again and it might say Insert Attachments" or it may just show numbers - go ahead and either click on Insert Attachments or just click on the numbers and it will insert into your message. You won't actually see the photo until you either preview it (look to bottom of the body of your thread, below the icons and you'll see a button to either Submit New Thread or to Preview Post. Once you click on either of these, you will see your photos. Please give it a try and let me know how it goes.

[sdannyboym]

Hi Jojo.
I opened a new thread regarding this (I didn't realize it takes time for the posts to come up...sorry) and posted links to photoes of the bottle.
Anyway I'll attach them here.
Thanks.
Danny

[Jojo]

No problem - thanks for the photos! We can have it dated for you and will see about getting any other additional background info on this particular bottle of Haig.

[sdannyboym]

Thanks!
I appreciate it

[Jojo]

Your bottle has been dated from the mid to late 1960s. As for the U.S. Navy mess stamp, although there are examples in the Diageo collection, there isn't any solid information about this. However, it is thought to mean that the bottle was shipped to and sold on a U.S. Navy base, possibly with reduced or no tax.

[blenderm]

All US Bases and embassies overseas were exempt from paying any local liquor taxes. The stamp was supposed to stop them being sold outside of the base.

[sdannyboym]

Hi Jojo.
Thanks for the help. I have received a reply from Craig of Diageo with this info, he also directed me to people who can evaluate it if I decide to do so, not sure it is worth, though...
He also said the whisky may not be drinkable due to the age of it.
I thought it to be unique due to the Navy Stamp on it.
Blenderm- any chance as to a guesstimate on this?
Thanks!
Danny

[blenderm]

If you try eBay you may get $15 to $20 but it most likely wouldn't sell as there's no real market for blends especially non aged, remember you're not selling the whisky just the bottle. At the last whisky auction in Scotland blends were not making more than £50 or £60 and that was for 4 or 5 mixed makes.

I know Craig said it may not be drinkable and no one would know until it's opened but that's my recommendation. It has a KnS seal which were pretty air tight in their day and there doesn't appear to be much evaporation so the main problem would be from the cork liner to the cap or oxydation from sunlight, but the colour looks good. All in all I'd say have a dram, if there's a slight bitter taste then it's oxydised and once emptied use the bottle as a lamp base which is what most of these bottles were used for once they're emptied back in the 50's and 60's.