SIR,---Like so many self-styled experts in this highly interesting twentieth
century Raymond Postgate makes dogmatic statements of fact based on no concrete evidence whatsoever.
I am looking now at an opened bottle, perhaps three-quarters full of brandy (cognac): the label is clearly issued by that well-known firm Bisquit Duboucht & Co. and dated in red '1811.' Two more bottles lie unopened in my cellar sealed with a cap with the crown surmounting the letter 'N,' but the embossed face of Boney which once adorned the sides of each bottle has broken off. 1 enjoy my sherry and wine but rarely drink brandy. However, on reading Mr. Postgate's letter in last week's Spectator I gave myself a generous tot of the 1811 and found it far from unpalatable; certainly not un- drinkable. The brandy came from the cellars of my late brother-in-law who was fairly knowledgeable on the subject and I fail to see why a firm of the stand- ing of D. B. & Co. should issue false labels as we have bottles dated 1841 and 1868 and they might as well have made them all 1811 if they falsely wished to increase the price.
If Mr. Postgate wishes to have a taste he should see me when he is next in the frozen North—I will be in Switzerland until the month-end.
W. IT SCIIDI 1E1 13
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