Very very Old Fitzgerald

[OscarV]

Today a Very Very Old Fitzgerald was sold on eBay for $618.00 plus shipping. It was barreled in 1956, bottled in 1968.
When I first saw it I decided to bid a hundred for it, other bidders blew me out of the water.
Posted below are a couple of thunbnails, it looks sooooooooo good.

[cowdery]

I would say that is an appropriate price. Good to know.

[FlashPuppy]

Looks like some Gazebo fodder there...

[TNbourbon]

I was in to $400 -- though, honestly, I never expected to get it for that, so I was really just killin' time.

[TnSquire]

That sure is an expensive glass containter.....:skep:

[OscarV]

Yesterday another one went out at eBay for $651.11.
thumbnail below

[Vange]

What I wouldnt give to run into a case of it in a store at $40 a pop!
I dream about it...is that bad?

[TNbourbon]

Yesterday another one went out at eBay for $651.11.
thumbnail below

And, again, I was in till $400 -- living vicariously without any real danger to my wallet.:grin:

[TnSquire]

And, again, I was in till $400 -- living vicariously without any real danger to my wallet.:grin:


Unfortuantely I cant do that. I have a serious competitive streak and hate to lose. I would go all in and my wife would beat me to within an inch of my life.

To find a case at 40.00 a piece.......maybe that will be our version of heaven....an eternity of old bourbon scores....:slappin:

[cowdery]

There was a funny Porsche ad a few years ago. It was the story of a man who finds a vintage Porsche buried in hay in a farmer's barn, where the farmer's son left it before going off to war. The man offers to buy it and the farmer says, "would $500 be too much?" The final line of the ad reads, "and then I woke up."

[luv2hunt]

Yesterday another one went out at eBay for $651.11.

Yup.....people with more money than brains!

Dawn

[doubleblank]

I resemble that remark.....to copy a favorite comedian's line. But that wasn't or ever will be me. Been burned by too many older VVOF's that weren't good.

Randy

[OscarV]

Been burned by too many older VVOF's that weren't good.

Randy

This is most interesting, I have never heard anyone have a negative comment about VVOF.

Randy, care to elaborate on this?

[doubleblank]

I've posted on many occasions that buying these older VOF's, VVOF's etc on Ebay are a gamble that the whiskey inside is still good. They were all cork finished and who knows how they were stored ......in Uncle Fred's attic, in a display case catching full sun, etc. Perhaps laying on its side to keep the cork moist? In my experience, I'd say just slightly less than 50% have had distinct off notes (associated with bad corks or improper storage IMHO). The industry has generally used corks of (relatively) poor quality because no one expected people to keep these bottles sealed for 40 years. They were intended to keep a good seal untill you got the bottle home and opened it.

But when they are good, they are one of a kind whiskeys. But why pay $600 to someone you don't know and have a 40% chance you'll be pouring it down the drain? Of course, you can improve your odds of getting a good bottle by seeing it before paying to inspect for leakage from the cork, low fill level, clarity and ask the seller about the bottles history.

Come to my house and I'll pour you examples. VOF 12yo's from the '50's that have a musty, over ripe banana/burnt rubber taste. While the one next to it tastes great.

People don't like to talk about paying big $ for one of these rareities and end up with a stinker.

Randy

[OscarV]

Good comments, it brought me back to reality. I don't feel so bad now about losing out on these VVOF bidding.

[cowdery]

There's also a risk that, since VVOF has become one of the most sought-after "dustys" out there, it might be worth counterfeiting them. I mean, assuming you have an authentic empty bottle, refilling it and faking a seal wouldn't be too difficult and, for $600+, probably worthwhile.

Yes, VVOF was one-of-a-kind and I feel privileged to have had it on many occasions, but you can go out to a store today and buy a bottle of Lot B for a reasonable price and get something that is very close, maybe 90%+ as good.

If you've just got to have a VVOF in your bunker, and you can afford to potentially flush $600+, go ahead, but Randy's cautionary tale is extremely valuable and should be taken to heart.

[Old Lamplighter]

I've posted on many occasions that buying these older VOF's, VVOF's etc on Ebay are a gamble that the whiskey inside is still good. They were all cork finished and who knows how they were stored ......in Uncle Fred's attic, in a display case catching full sun, etc. Perhaps laying on its side to keep the cork moist? In my experience, I'd say just slightly less than 50% have had distinct off notes (associated with bad corks or improper storage IMHO). The industry has generally used corks of (relatively) poor quality because no one expected people to keep these bottles sealed for 40 years. They were intended to keep a good seal untill you got the bottle home and opened it.

But when they are good, they are one of a kind whiskeys. But why pay $600 to someone you don't know and have a 40% chance you'll be pouring it down the drain? Of course, you can improve your odds of getting a good bottle by seeing it before paying to inspect for leakage from the cork, low fill level, clarity and ask the seller about the bottles history.

Come to my house and I'll pour you examples. VOF 12yo's from the '50's that have a musty, over ripe banana/burnt rubber taste. While the one next to it tastes great.

People don't like to talk about paying big $ for one of these rareities and end up with a stinker.

Randy

Good comment......I have heard and been warned of same by persons much more knowledgeable than myself. I will probably never get to sample any of the old VVOF due to financial restraint. Instead, I choose to take the 'safe' route and enjoy what is available to us today which is a very, very nice & varied selection. We just might be living in another 'golden' age of bourbon and not realize it.....just a thought.

[CrispyCritter]

We just might be living in another 'golden' age of bourbon and not realize it.....just a thought.

My thoughts exactly. For the price of a questionable VVOF bottle off eBay, I could get a veritable bunker of high-grade current bottlings!

[BourbonJoe]

For the price of a questionable VVOF bottle off eBay, I could get a veritable bunker of high-grade current bottlings!
Good point. I agree.
Joe :usflag:

[jinenjo]

Fine words of advice, Randy. I'll take you up on your offer to taste if I ever make it to Texas.

I'm wondering as I begin my forays into dusty finds, is VVOF ever found on the shelf these days? or even VOF?

-Lear

[cowdery]

Fine words of advice, Randy. I'll take you up on your offer to taste if I ever make it to Texas.

I'm wondering as I begin my forays into dusty finds, is VVOF ever found on the shelf these days? or even VOF?

-Lear

I would say no, but what I did find within the past year was a substantial stash of bottles and decanters of 6 to 10-year-old bottled-in-bond Stitzel-Weller whiskey, in fine condition, from the late 60s - early 70s, and at their original shelf prices of between $10.99 and $29.99 each. (The complete story is here (http://cowdery.home.netcom.com/blog2006.html#3-23-06).)

If what you care about is the whiskey and not the prestige of having one of the well known rarities, the whiskeys I found, at bargain prices, are virtually the same thing. That, to me, is the fun of dusty diving.

[jinenjo]

That certainly was a pleasant story, Chuck. Almost fairy tale with it's happy ending and all.:lol:

Really, I am into what is IN the bottle so I'll keep my eye out for anything SW as I continue my journey.