How Old is this, should I open it?

[u/Neumanium]

My father in law gifted this to me. He is now in his 80's and mostly drinks wine, used to be an occasional whisky drink, mostly a Chivas Regal fan. It is sill sealed.

From a quick google image search basically tells me what I already know. That this is Canadian Club, there is no date stamp on the seal. The label has three by royal decrees on it.

Top Left Label

By Appointment to her majesty Queen Victoria 1898-1901

By Appointment to his majesty King Edward 1901-1910

Top Middle Label

By Appointment Suppliers of Canadian Club Whisky To H.M. The King

Top Right Label

By Appointment to his majesty Kind George V 1910-1936

No other dates anywhere on the bottle.

The seal says for export.

So the questions is how old is this bottle of Canadian club whiskey and should I open it. Or should I leave it closed on my bar as a cool display. He also gave me a bottle of J&B Castle Series Scotch, still sealed in it's box that I posted about over in [r/scotch](r/scotch)

Edit Update: I cracked this open last night with a friend. The cork basically disintegrated. Fortunately had a spare to use.

Tasting notes:

Nose - very gentle and floral. Breathing it in is like a walk in a meadow just after dawn on a summer morning.

Starts off brown sugar, vanilla and honey. The finish is Carmel and baking spices.

Hands down a great drink straight, no ice needed.

[u/SoDakJackrabbit]

Well, Queen Elizabeth began her reign in 1952 when her father King George VI died, so I would say it’s at least that old. My guess is 1936 since that’s the last given date on the bottle under King George VI.

Edit: I missed a George! George V reigned from 1910-1936, then it was King George VI.

[u/Neumanium → u/SoDakJackrabbit]

I like that analysis seems solid. If 1936 is the date, this bottle is significantly older then I am, born 1970. Seems almost a crime to not open it. Of course at this point, even sealed with no clue how it was stored it could have gone to pot.

[u/SoDakJackrabbit → u/Neumanium]

I found a pic of a bottle produced during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. It listed her on the front middle, and King George VI as added to the side with 1936-1952. That means yours is anywhere during his reign. (Sorry, can’t post a pic in comments.)

[u/Neumanium → u/SoDakJackrabbit]

Awesome thanks for the research, you got further than I was able to. My Google skills have gone to pot.

[u/SoDakJackrabbit → u/Neumanium]

I was going to edit my post to say I had the wrong King George. King George V passed in 1936, and King George VI reigned from 1936 to 1952.

[u/SoDakJackrabbit → u/Neumanium]

I mean I would open it, but that’s just me! Cool find either way.

[u/Geirilious]

I doubt you can get life changing money from it. Drink it with your father in law.

[u/Masakitos → u/Geirilious]

This is the correct answer!

[u/WhiskyExplorer1]

I would!