Need some help with a couple of dusties

[Maddog918]

My neighbor gave me a couple of old bottles from the 70's or 80's. both unopened. One came in a wooden box with Eagle Rare 101 proof ten years old written on it. In the box is a bottle and two rocks glasses. the glasses have the Eagle Rare logo and the 101 proof.

The other is an Owl bottle, gray in color. It had a label that says Beam 100 monthes old.

My question is does anyone know, first, if the whiskey is good, and second, ane they worth any money because they have never been opened. I would also like to know the dates these things were produced.

Thanks in advance,

Brian

[Special Reserve]

I don't know about that Owl bottle, but that Eagle Rare 101 is dangerous, you should forward it to me for proper disposal. As a chemist, I best qualified to properly dispose of it.

Will

PS. The Eagle Rare is a treasure and is worth drinking

[wadewood]

The Eagle Rare 10 101 was discontinued 3 years or so ago by Buffalo Trace. They do still sell a Eagle Rare 10 YO, but at 90 proof. It is packaged in a different bottle than yours. Somewhat a dusty collectible; we still have plenty of the liquor store shelves here in Houston.

The owl bottle is a ceramic decanter. They sold these more as collectibles for the decanters than for the whiskey. Properly stored, the bourbon is fine, but I would not expect anything more than standard Jim Beam Black.

[StraightBoston]

I disagree... I've sampled several Beam decanters of that era and while they're short of any of the classic "Olds" (Fitzgerald, Taylor, Crow, Grand-Dad) of similar vintage, I find them to be quite a bit tastier and more complex than anything Beam puts out today.

(That said, the ER 10/101 is the prize. Which distillery? And wade, I'd be happy to give a lonely dusty Houston bottle a new home in Boston!)

[kickert]

(That said, the ER 10/101 is the prize. Which distillery? And wade, I'd be happy to give a lonely dusty Houston bottle a new home in Boston!)

Me too... Me too!!!!

[independant]

well if you are going to the post office then send me one to

[ggilbertva]

My neighbor gave me a couple of old bottles from the 70's or 80's. both unopened. One came in a wooden box with Eagle Rare 101 proof ten years old written on it. In the box is a bottle and two rocks glasses. the glasses have the Eagle Rare logo and the 101 proof.

The other is an Owl bottle, gray in color. It had a label that says Beam 100 monthes old.

My question is does anyone know, first, if the whiskey is good, and second, ane they worth any money because they have never been opened. I would also like to know the dates these things were produced.

Thanks in advance,

Brian

Brian,

You're questions have been answered in part. As for the value of the bourbon, please see this link to give you some information. The reality is that those bottles are only worth what someone is willing to pay. For those of us here on this site, it's about drinking and enjoying those older bottles. The Eagle Rare 101 is a personal favorite of mine. As StraightBoston pointed out, the older Beam is better than the current release. I have a bottle from 1982 and think it's a better bourbon.

If you drink bourbon, open them and enjoy them. I hope this helps.

[Maddog918]

Brian,

You're questions have been answered in part. As for the value of the bourbon, please see this link to give you some information. The reality is that those bottles are only worth what someone is willing to pay. For those of us here on this site, it's about drinking and enjoying those older bottles. The Eagle Rare 101 is a personal favorite of mine. As StraightBoston pointed out, the older Beam is better than the current release. I have a bottle from 1982 and think it's a better bourbon.

If you drink bourbon, open them and enjoy them. I hope this helps.

Thanks Greg and everyone who has replyed. If it is true that the ER 101 isn't being produced anymore than it might be worth just drinking. I'm not in it for profit, like you said Greg, it's all about drinking good bourbon. However, if these are woth something to some one who collects and appreciates these type of bottles then I don't mind letting it go.

I'm just curious about the whiskey; how old it is, the quality and if it is something special. So any info along those lines is appreciated.

After reading these treads I'm tempted to open the ER 101 and enjoy.

Brian

[ggilbertva]

Thanks Greg and everyone who has replyed. If it is true that the ER 101 isn't being produced anymore than it might be worth just drinking. I'm not in it for profit, like you said Greg, it's all about drinking good bourbon. However, if these are woth something to some one who collects and appreciates these type of bottles then I don't mind letting it go.

I'm just curious about the whiskey; how old it is, the quality and if it is something special. So any info along those lines is appreciated.

After reading these treads I'm tempted to open the ER 101 and enjoy.

Brian

Brian,

A lot of the bottles and decanters should have a 2 digit number on the bottom of the bottle that indicates the year. For the ER101 bottle, flip it over and orient the letters and number so you can read them. You should find the 2 digit number in the lower right portion of the bottom. For the decanter, the two digit may or may not be there. If the decanter and ER101 bottle are in ml or L, then that would date them later 70's and later since the metric conversion took plate in 1980.

You may get some PM's from folks looking to trade in some fashion.

[Maddog918]

OK,

The ER 101 is a 750ml 1983 and the Beam is a 750ml 1979. Both are un-opened and still have the tax stamps intact. I'm thinking I should be drinking these. What do you guys think?

Brian

[StraightBoston]

I'm thinking I should be drinking these.

I'm thinking you're right!

[tommyboy38]

Start drinking! I've seen a few decanters while shopping lately and was thinking of picking one up. Which one would my fellow SB-er's grab?

A $15 Ezra Brooks 12 year (90 proof?) from 1968 or a $25 Jim Beam 13 year BIB from 1972

[DeanSheen]

Both after shaking to verify contents.

Then skip home happily, decant and smile.

Start drinking! I've seen a few decanters while shopping lately and was thinking of picking one up. Which one would my fellow SB-er's grab?

A $15 Ezra Brooks 12 year (90 proof?) from 1968 or a $25 Jim Beam 13 year BIB from 1972

[NeoTexan]

I hit an auction the other week and picked up a dozen Beam decanters, along with a Wild Turkey 101 and an Old Mr Boston W.C. Fields from the '70's (all full) for $2.00 apiece. The empty ones went for $10 to $30 for a card table full. (about 20 to 30 per table)

[ggilbertva]

Brian

As others have recommended, open and drink and do so in good health. Both of those should be quite good. I've got an '82 ER101 open and it's a really terrific pour. Let us know what you think.

[Maddog918]

Brian

As others have recommended, open and drink and do so in good health. Both of those should be quite good. I've got an '82 ER101 open and it's a really terrific pour. Let us know what you think.

I think I will. Thanks for the info.

Brian

[Maddog918]

Ok Guys, I opened the ER 101. OUTSTANDING WHISKEY!!! Great flavor but I noticed the acohol was a little more powerfull than I'm used too. Being a 101 I din't think it would be that strong. most of my pours are between 90 and 100 proof.

However, on my second pour (neat) i found that it wasn't as strong but still powerfull. I'm sure the more I drink the better it will get.

Probably the best pour I've had so for. Being a novice, that doesn't say much. I think this was a great find for my first dusty.

Thanks again for all the info.

Brian

[tommyboy38]

All of the Ezra Brooks decanters had been compromised and they were on sale for $6 but still not worth it. The Beam is still on my mind and i think I have some Old Fitz decanters on the way...can't wait to try those.