How old are these ports

[barrieportugal]

I have 100 bottles of Cockburns Lunch Port. One of the bottles has a tax strip on it with the number 462122 on it. Does anyone know how old they are and how much they are worth?
I also have 100 bottles of Santhiago Porto Cepa Tawny Port. Again, any idea on age and value?

I have attached a photo (I think)

Thanks

[Andy Velebil]

The tax stamp is actually called a Selo (for short). It only means it was bottled in Vila Nova d. Gaia (back then). That style was no longer in use after the early 1970's.

The Cockburn's is most likely a more basic or mid level ruby or tawny. The other most likely being a lower or mid level tawny. Most likely not worth much given their old age and the fact they weren't meant to be aged to begin with. That said if well stored it may taste ok still, but don't expect grandeur.

Where did you run across so many old bottles and how have they been stored for all these years?

[barrieportugal]

Thanks for the reply.

They belong to a Portuguese friend of mine who inherited them. I don't know much about Port, but I am told they have been stored correctly in a cellar. He doesn't speak very much English and he got very excited when he saw the year 1815 on the bottle of Cockburns. I had to break the news to him that it was the year Cockburns were established and not the year of the Port.

Thanks again.

[uncle tom]

Old, but sadly not sought after, so not likely to make more than a few pounds per bottle at auction.

However, try drinking one or two and report back - you might find they're rather nice despite the fact that they should have been drunk forty years ago...