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The traditional Christmas Tasting was held in Tom’s pub.

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Davy's Crusted 197? (I — CPR);
• 196? Martinez (II — MPM);
• 1922 Martinez (III — AHB);
• 1935 Sandeman (IV — IDJ);
• 1945 Dow (V — THRA);
• 1912 Cockburn (VI — PW);
• 1955 Taylor (VII — ?);
• 1924 Unknown (VIII — RLC);
• 1927 Tuke Holdsworth (IX — AP);
• 1933 Quinta do Cais Colheita, bottled 1988 (X — WPS);
• Paperwork: sticky labels, TN and voting pages;
• Planning and arrangements.

Reportedly the capsule said “F W Brind 1924”.

“J. Brind & Co” sold some Croft 1853; “Messrs Brind & Co” sold some Croft 1904 and some Taylor 1912. Alas I have no records of a known 1924 bottled by Brind.

40% opacity, red-amber, clear. Red fruits on the nose. Soft entry, mild acidity mid palate, good liveliness.

Bottled by FW Brind. The shipper was not indicated by the branding on the cork but the same bottle last year was believed to be Taylor based on the flavour profile.

Deep polished red-mahogany colour with an opaque centre. Complex on the nose with raisins and dates but also with some lovely cornflower perfume. A delicious mature fruit palate that is deep and complex with intense purple fruit flavours mixing bramble fruit with Parma Violets. Sweet with a hint of icing sugar and just a shadow of tannins with the sweetness carrying right through the long finish. This is surprisingly youthful for what turned out to be its age. Served blind this was guessed to be Dow 1955. 90/100. 15-Dec-16. Decanted 1½ hour.