Uncorking The Secrets: A Guide To Dating Golden Wedding Bottles

Golden Wedding bottles are highly collectible items that were historically gifted at weddings and anniversaries. The bottles were produced in what is known as carnival glass or depression glass, which is characterised by its bright orange/gold colour. Golden Wedding bottles were originally created by Joseph S. Finch, who built a distillery near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1856. The trademark, Golden Wedding Rye, was registered in 1869.

The bottles typically feature an old couple toasting their anniversary, and were popular in the northeastern United States. They were produced by the Schenley Distilling Corporation, which was founded after Louis Rosenstiel purchased Finch's distillery and its 500,000 gallons of aging whiskey. The whiskey was bottled at the Schenley Distillery in Schenley, Pennsylvania.

There are a number of ways to date a Golden Wedding bottle. Firstly, the presence of a screw-top lid indicates that the bottle is not terribly old. Secondly, the presence of a federal warning engraved on the bottle suggests that it is from before 1989, when such warnings became mandatory. Finally, the absence of a UPC code on the back of the bottle indicates that it is likely from before 1985.

Look for bottle codes

Bottle codes are a great place to start when trying to date a bottle of whiskey. Some are easy to decipher, while others are cryptic and difficult to understand. If you can't decipher them, and can't find anyone else online who has a clue, you could try reaching out to the maker (if possible) and see if they can help.

Bottle codes are small codes printed on the label, or sometimes directly onto the glass (which can be hard to spot). They are usually separated into four sections: Year, Day, Time and Manufacturing (Bottling) Line. The Year is designated by a letter followed by a number, for example, L7 = 2007 (L11 = 2011). The Day is designated by three digits for the day of the year, starting with January 1st as 001. The Time is given in four digits for the time of day on a 24-hour clock in GMT time. Finally, the Manufacturing (Bottling) Line is given by a three-digit code.

The structure of bottle codes has changed several times since 1997, so it can be tricky to decipher older codes. Additionally, there are many different formats, and some may be really difficult to decipher. For example, the standard code starts with the letter L (an abbreviation of Lot) and is followed by some numbers. Unfortunately, multiple variations of this L-code exist.

Another thing to look out for is the presence or absence of certain features on the bottle. If there is no Surgeon General's warning, then the bottle is likely from before 1989 when the warning became mandatory. If there is no UPC on the back, the bottle is likely pre-1985, as these began to be used in the late 1970s and early 1980s. If there is no metric (ml, liter) statement on the bottle, it is likely from before 1981, as all bottles in the USA started carrying metric statements from this date.

Federal tax strips and state tax stamps

Federal tax strips were introduced following the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, which sought to standardise the quality of spirits being sold domestically. The green strips carried the name of the producer as well as the ‘Made’ and ‘Bottled’ dates, and assured the consumer that the whiskey was distilled in a single season by a single distiller, that it had been matured for at least four years, and that it was bottled at 100 Proof. For export bottles, blue strips were used, and there was no requirement for bottling at 100 proof.

The red federal tax strip was introduced after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. These strips were seen on bourbon and other American spirits until the Tax Reform Act of 1984 ended their usage. The US tax strips had become so reassuring to drinkers that after 1984, some brands introduced their own paper seals over the caps of their bottles.

State tax stamps were also used on bottles of spirits. These were often stamps that looked like the state issuing them and were applied to the bottle, usually on the shoulder of the bottle near the neck. State tax stamps changed every four years when new state treasurers were appointed.

Bonded whiskey

To be labelled as bonded, the whiskey must be the product of one distillation season (January-June or July-December) by one distiller at one distillery. It must be aged in a federally bonded warehouse under US government supervision for a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume). The label must also identify the distillery where the whiskey was distilled and bottled.

Although the regulations apply to all spirits, most bonded spirits are whiskeys. Some consumers consider the bonded label to be an endorsement of quality, while many producers consider the term archaic. However, bonded whiskey may be considered a better indication of the distiller's skill, as it must be the product of one distillation season, one distillery, and one distiller.

Federal law forbidding sale or reuse of the bottle

The "Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle" marking was a US federal law that applied to all liquor bottles sold within the United States between 1935 and 1 December 1964. The law was introduced to prevent the refilling of bottles by black-market businesses and to protect government tax revenues. The law was repealed in 1964, but due to the expense of re-tooling bottle moulds, some bottles continued to be embossed with the phrase into the early 1970s.

Surgeon General's warning

The Surgeon General's warning is a label that has been mandatory on bottles of whiskey since 1989. If your bottle of Golden Wedding Whiskey does not have this label, it is likely to be from before 1989.

The Surgeon General's warning is an important label that provides essential information about the contents of a bottle of whiskey. It is a legal requirement and must be displayed prominently on the bottle.

The label typically includes the following information:

• A clear statement about the dangers of operating machinery or being pregnant while consuming alcohol.
• Details about the alcohol content, usually measured in ml, liters, pints, quarts, or gallons, depending on the bottling date.
• Additional warnings or restrictions, such as the legal drinking age and the consequences of alcohol misuse.

Dating Your Golden Wedding Bottle:

If your bottle of Golden Wedding Whiskey was produced before the mandatory inclusion of the Surgeon General's warning, you can estimate its age using other clues and resources. Here are some additional tips to help you date your bottle accurately:

• Bottle Codes and Markings: Look for any codes, markings, or embossed details on the bottle. These may include dates, distillery information, or other production details that can help narrow down the timeframe.
• Tax Strips and Stamps: Federal and state tax strips or stamps can provide valuable information. For example, blue tax strips indicate export bottles, while green or red strips with specific details can correspond to particular date ranges.
• UPC Codes: The presence or absence of a UPC code can also help estimate the age. UPC codes started appearing in the late 1970s and became more common around 1985.
• Metric Measurements: The use of metric measurements (ml, liters, etc.) started in 1981, while bottles before 1979 typically used the Imperial system (pints, quarts, gallons).
• Distillery and Brand History: Research the history of the distillery or brand. Significant changes, ownership transfers, or limited editions can provide valuable timeline clues.
• Advertising and Label Design: Compare the label design and bottle shape with historical advertisements to estimate the age. Label designs often change over time, and advertising can provide a visual history of these alterations.

A Note on Golden Wedding Whiskey:

Golden Wedding Whiskey has a long history, dating back to the 1800s. The brand has changed hands several times, and there have been variations in the whiskey style (rye vs. Canadian whisky) and bottle designs over the years.

Final Thoughts:

Dating a bottle of Golden Wedding Whiskey without the Surgeon General's warning can be a fun investigation. Remember to examine your bottle closely, consider its unique features, and compare it with historical references to estimate its age accurately.

Frequently asked questions