Any advice on how to remove corks from old collectible liquor decanters?

[noelani]

I have been asked to sell some collectible ceramic liquor decanters that are still full.  I know they have to be emptied but they are from the 1970's so the corks are completely dried out and stuck.  I do not want to damage the bottles.  Anyone have a suggestion as to how to remove the corks without damaging the decanters?  thanks!

[tev4all]

 WOULD REMOVING THE CORK INCREASE THE VALUE?

I'd make sure you disclose the cork issue in the description and let the buyer decide about removing.

Good luck.

[noelani]

I guess I did not make my request very clear.  The decanters are all full of whiskey and they cannot be sold that way, so I need to be able to remove the stuck corks so the containers can be emptied.

[daneiac]

I would use an awl and stab them to pieces.. a corkscrew might work but I would think the cork is old and crumbly

[dhbookds]

Might help to turn them so the corks would rewet.......what kind of liquor is that?  You're not really going to pour it down the drain?

[southern*sweet*tea]

Bottles with contents are far more valuable in most cases than bottles without the contents.

That said, you can't list them here while they are full. You can't mail them period because they have whiskey and you don't have a license to ship liquor. (I am assuming that lol)

Frankly the best way is going to be in person for cash, no shipping.

[biggymoe]

The few old decanters I have dealt with usually have the cork attached as a part of the top piece.  If that is the case, I have no clue what to do. 

However, the photo looks like these have larger tops, that might be removable, exposing the cork.  If that is the case, I would remove the top pieces, and turn the bottles upside down in a tub of water.  Hopefully the water would soak in and give the corks some new life.  Might take several days.

That is only a suggestion, as I have never tried it.  Don't see that it could hurt to try though.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

This is what I would do and sweet tea makes a great point, these are much more valuable with the whiskey and original cork left intact. List them as local pickup only either all together or a small lot and state the reason why. Now you may want to check either UPS or FedEx as one of these carriers I believe ( not 100% sure) can ship these with liquids, and they must be double wrapped in a bag to prevent leakage. So with that said and you find it's to much trouble...well then PARTY'S AT YOUR HOUSE!!!! good luck, they are nice!

[3eyedfishcatcher]

Perhaps test by dropping water on the items to make sure the paint will not bleed or dissolve. Then if ok submerge under water for a short time to see if the cord adsorbs the water. It sounds like the cork segments may need to be dug out then replaced with new segments the same size.

[donsdetour]

---

@silverstatetreasureboxes wrote:

This is what I would do and sweet tea makes a great point, these are much more valuable with the whiskey and original cork left intact. List them as local pickup only either all together or a small lot and state the reason why. Now you may want to check either UPS or FedEx as one of these carriers I believe ( not 100% sure) can ship these with liquids, and they must be double wrapped in a bag to prevent leakage. So with that said and you find it's to much trouble...well then PARTY'S AT YOUR HOUSE!!!! good luck, they are nice!

---

The problem with this post above is that if Law Enforcement does find this item for sale, the seller could find them-self in a very bad situation.  Some states are worse than others on such laws. There is also federal laws on such. The Post office may have rules on such ( I think a distribution license has to exist)... For sure this would require adult signature.

As for the corks turn the bottle upside down (Cork down so it will absorb and wet the cork) due to The tops seem to be attached to the part of the bottle. This takes time and some times they will still break.

If just a cork try a cork screw, though the cork may break up.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

Well I did do a little checking and you are correct donsdetour. My bad, I've sold decanter before but have been emptied but I did have a full model t decanter that was full and was going to post it so I asked the local post office if it could be mailed and they said no but I was sure they told me FedEx could. Anyway, liquor license is needed in mailing, so local pickup, cash maybe the best? Now the cork issue, I have taken a 3" nail and driven down the center gently of the cork..pull nail up a little and swirl it around the old cork till it creates a hole bout .5 inch and liquid should drain. Those old corks tend to get really messy and ruin good whiskey but what do ya do?

[daneiac]

The reason they use cork for fish bobbers is because they do not readily become wettable.

[moondogblues]

Both UPS and FedEx will ship wine...but a carrier named GLS will ship spirits.  OP would need a license though.

I agree with the selling locally...and also want to add that vintage whiskey is collected all over the world.  People go through the old liquor stores out in the boonies and look for certain brands.  Whiskey never goes bad.  Maybe want to rethink the pouring it down the drain.

[1grandmashope_1]

Great advise!  A shame to empty them just to sell them as decorative decanters.  Local sales and leave the whiskey in.

With that said, if you decide to try to get the corks out, it is a time consuming task, most of the time.  Sometimes heat and just working them with a corkscrew and metal nail file.  I have had some luck with removing very old cork stoppers from salt and pepper shakers that way. 

Whatever you decide, good luck with your sales!

Grandma

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

I think we all opt for the big party at OPs house!!!! Just for us posters here and you moondogblues supply the music!!! We'll get those corks off for sure!