Liquor identification help: The topic

[Chris Hennes]

I've got a friend who is trying to figure out a) what this stuff is and b) whether it is available in the US. Any information you've got would be greatly appreciated:

[KD1191]

It's Minsk Kristall from Belarus.

Looks like a liqueur that is part of their "Balsam" line.

ETA: This shop in CT carries their vodka, which would seem to indicate there's an importer out there somewhere.

Edited January 26, 2014 by KD1191 (log)

[Hassouni]

see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsam_(drink) and here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riga_Black_Balsam

[DCHaller]

Hi;

 

I'm new to the Culinary Society and its process so please bear with me.

 

I have a 4/5 quart sealed bottle of Bisquit VSOP Fine Champagne Napoleon Cognac and I am trying to find its age and value. 

 

The label on the front of the bottle reads Product of France 80 Proof. The rear label tells of the House of Bisquit.

 

There is a pink, numbered "US Internal Revenue Tax Paid" stamp sealing the bottle and an "Excise and Enforcement Tax Paid Spiritous Beverages" stamp from Indiana on the neck of the bottle. 

 

Any help would be appreciated and any questions will be answered.

 

Many thanks,

DCHaller

[KD1191]

Welcome.

 

Old alcohol is very hard to value. For one, due to myriad and complex laws, it's very difficult to sell. For another, much of it is terrible. I'm on a number of mailing lists for professional resellers of antique bottles, and have found that with rare exceptions (mostly whisk(e)y-related, though much older cognacs also rate) the value is in the bottle more often than the contents.

 

I know very little about Bisquit, but based on this listing, I would suggest it's not worth troubling too much over. My recommendation would be to try it. And, if it's any good, drink it.

[cdh]

IF I could figure out how image uploading works around here nowadays, I'd show you a picture of my bottle of cooking brandy.  Bisquit VSOP.  OK by itself, but makes a very nice Newburg sauce.  This ain't a missing Rembrandt or a lost lottery ticket. 

 

ETA, I seem to have figured it out.  Can you see the attached pic?  Looks like yours?

Edited July 13, 2014 by cdh (log)

[Adam George]

It's worth whatever someone pays for it.

[Nayan Gowda]

Maybe try the "submit a bottle" function on this website http://blog.cognac-expert.com/contact/