How Do You Read A Whiskey Bottle Code?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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On the bottom of many glass bottles, you will find a

two-digit embossed number

which corresponds to the ending two digits in the four digit year 99 would be 1999, 01 would be 2001. This number is often located in the lower right region of the base of the bottle.

How do you read a whiskey bottle label?

You can also tell if the company listed on the label actually made the whiskey or not by looking for the words, “

Distilled

by” or “Distilled in”. The law states that if a distillery makes that product, you may state “distilled by” or Distilled and Bottled by (then the name of that distillery)” on the label.

What do the numbers on whiskey bottles mean?

Generally the first two digits refer to the

“liquor bottle permit number”

and will denote the company and factory that manufactured the bottle; in these cases the latter two digits will usually the year the bottle was made.

How can you tell how old a whiskey is?

Most bottle manufacturers molded the year into the glass at the bottom of the bottle in 2-digit format. You’ll often find it in the lower right portion when looking at the bottom (some dates are much easier to distinguish than others). This will usually tell you–

within a year or two

–when the whiskey was bottled.

How can you tell how old alcohol is?


Check the bottom of the bottle for any indications

of the year. Some distillers use bottles that are stamped with a two-digit number indicating the year that they were made. Look on the bottle for a government warning printed on the label.

Are old whiskey bottles worth money?

While not all old bottles are valuable,

an older bottle is more likely to be worth more than a newer one

. Seams and pontil marks are two of the ways you can determine a bottle’s age. … The Open Pontil bottle describes bottles which were made from the 1600s to about 1855.

What do numbers on the bottom of glass bottles mean?

In most cases, one- or two-digit numbers are actually

mold numbers

that indicate the specific bottle mold or section in an automatic bottle machine. … Base numbers also indicate bottle styles or shapes, manufacturing dates, or factory location codes.

Can I drink 20 year old whiskey?

As you should know by now, whiskey can go bad, but that only happens in some contaminants find their way into the bottle and the alcohol will be exposed to air for a long period of time. … It might not taste the best (especially if the bottle is half empty), but

it will be safe to consume.

What is the best age for whiskey?

“Sometimes older is better—but sometimes it’s just older.” Old whiskies might cost a pretty penny, but for the flavor, Pickerell recommends choosing a more middle-aged whisky – 6 to 10 years for bourbon, and

about 20 years for scotch

. Any older, and you might just be paying for age, not flavorful beauty.

Does whiskey taste better with age?

And it isn’t just because they’re old, though

age makes the whiskys taste better

. The wood from the barrels a Scotch (or any whisky) is aged in tends to break down the rougher flavors in the alcohol, leaving you with a smoother taste. The longer the alcohol is in there, the smoother it gets.

How can I tell how old a bottle of Chivas Regal is?

Bottles of Chivas Regal from this time are collector’s items. A Chivas Regal bottle’s age can be identified by

using bottle characteristics, label information

, and by the presence of a tax stamp. Look at the bottle for clues as to how it was made. Bottles made prior to the late 1800s were blown and have a pontil mark.

How old is my Johnnie Walker bottle?

The easiest way to determine the whiskey’s age is

by the color of the label

. However, extremely old bottles can be determined by the absence of certain logos or slogans. Examine the color of the label. Red infers an age of less than 10 years.

Does whiskey go bad?


Unopened whiskey doesn’t go bad

. … Most whiskey scientists believe that an opened bottle of whiskey lasts about 1 to 2 years—if it’s half full. Whiskey expires about 6 months if it’s a quarter or less full. That’s because the less whiskey in the bottle, the more oxygen.

How can you tell if a bottle is antique?


The embossed maker’s mark or letters on the side of a bottle or on the base of a bottle

will help to reveal a bottle’s age. Marks or letters on collectible milk bottles and Coca Cola bottles are commonly indicators of age and origin.

How much is a 100 year old bottle of whiskey worth?

This 100-Year-Old Bottle of Whiskey Can Be Yours for Just

$17,000

. An intact bottle of Irish whiskey from 1916 is expected to fetch a seriously pretty penny when it goes to auction on April 6.

How much is a 50 year old bottle of whiskey worth?

Only an infinitesimal number of special barrels have gone the distance of 50 years, and their rarity and longevity always command top dollar. Current offerings of 50 year old scotch, like Dalmore, can cost as

much as $60,000 a bottle

, making others, like Benromach, look like a veritable bargain at $14,500.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.