Largest bottle of port?

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PhilW
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Largest bottle of port?

Post by PhilW »

Another thread just made me wonder; what is the largest size of bottle that port has ever appeared in?
On a more down to earth note perhaps, what is the largest size anyone has seen with their own eyes, owns, or has ever drunk from?
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g-man
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by g-man »

double mag of the dow 1900 that I believe jdaw1 took a pic of.

I have a bunch of mags at home but never popped one.
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

The largest bottle of port that I have ever heard about is the 20-bottle bottle (15 litres) of Dow 1896 in Jeffrey Benson's cellar. From what I understand, this was not a producer or bottler fill but was prepared for a birthday party and filled from normal size bottles of port, but was never opened.

Largest full bottle of port that I've ever seen is Graham 1977 Tappit Hen; that's also the largest size I've ever drunk from.

Largest (empty) bottle I've ever seen is a 15 litre display bottle of Graham 1994.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.

2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
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RAYC
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by RAYC »

AHB wrote:
Largest full bottle of port that I've ever seen is Graham 1977 Tappit Hen
So who took the photo at the bottom of your FTLOP article on the BFT then...? or was that just a display bottle?
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by DRT »

RAYC wrote:
AHB wrote:
Largest full bottle of port that I've ever seen is Graham 1977 Tappit Hen
So who took the photo at the bottom of your FTLOP article on the BFT then...? or was that just a display bottle?
The note beside the picture in question says "The pictures used in this article were kindly provided by the organisers".
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
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mosesbotbol
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by mosesbotbol »

The largest bottles in my collection are 3L's of 77 Taylor. The largest bottle I know about of a recent vintage is 9L from 2007.
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uncle tom
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by uncle tom »

I recently purchased two Nebuchadnezzars (15L) - one of Warre '94, the other of Vesuvio '94. Dom tells me that eleven of each were filled.

I havn't picked them up yet - which will be an exercise in itself... :shock:
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by DRT »

You will require assistance with decanting those, Tom.

I am available :wink:
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

RAYC wrote:
AHB wrote:
Largest full bottle of port that I've ever seen is Graham 1977 Tappit Hen
So who took the photo at the bottom of your FTLOP article on the BFT then...? or was that just a display bottle?
I should have said "Largest full bottle of vintage port that I've ever seen..." I stand corrected.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.

2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by Andy Velebil »

Though now empty was about 20-25 liters in the Fonseca Lodge, in the tasting room to be more precise. I have a pic of it somewhere, I just need to find it which is proving difficult at the moment.
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RAYC
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by RAYC »

AHB wrote:
RAYC wrote:
AHB wrote:
Largest full bottle of port that I've ever seen is Graham 1977 Tappit Hen
So who took the photo at the bottom of your FTLOP article on the BFT then...? or was that just a display bottle?
I should have said "Largest full bottle of vintage port that I've ever seen..." I stand corrected.
Fair enough!

For some reason i always thought you were on the 2008 harvest tour...but maybe not.
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g-man
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by g-man »

i would like to know what the occasion would be to open a 15L bottle of wine.
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by griff »

g-man wrote:i would like to know what the occasion would be to open a 15L bottle of wine.
Lunch.
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g-man
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by g-man »

griff wrote:
g-man wrote:i would like to know what the occasion would be to open a 15L bottle of wine.
Lunch.
considerably less than my usual allowance
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uncle tom
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by uncle tom »

i would like to know what the occasion would be to open a 15L bottle of wine.
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by g-man »

uncle tom wrote:
i would like to know what the occasion would be to open a 15L bottle of wine.
Breakfast
soooo another relevant question which would be if i were to buy a 9L bottle of dows 2007.

Would I have a chance in my life time to open this wine when it's ready or will my son get the pleasure of such.
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uncle tom
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by uncle tom »

if i were to buy a 9L bottle of dows 2007.

Would I have a chance in my life time to open this wine when it's ready
A good Dow needs a full forty years or more to show its best..

..do you reckon you're good for another 35 years??
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
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g-man
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by g-man »

uncle tom wrote:
if i were to buy a 9L bottle of dows 2007.

Would I have a chance in my life time to open this wine when it's ready
A good Dow needs a full forty years or more to show its best..

..do you reckon you're good for another 35 years??
more like will there be fellow port lovers that would be willing to enjoy such a bottle with me in 35 years? ;-)

because I'm really tempted to get the bottle but i would be 70 by the time i drink it.
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uncle tom
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by uncle tom »

but i would be 70 by the time i drink it
With life expectancy steadily growing (especially for the non-obese) 70 will hardly rank as old in 35 years time..

..and you'll still be working then.. :wink:
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by Glenn E. »

g-man wrote:
uncle tom wrote:
if i were to buy a 9L bottle of dows 2007.

Would I have a chance in my life time to open this wine when it's ready
A good Dow needs a full forty years or more to show its best..

..do you reckon you're good for another 35 years??
more like will there be fellow port lovers that would be willing to enjoy such a bottle with me in 35 years? ;-)

because I'm really tempted to get the bottle but i would be 70 by the time i drink it.
I'll be 83 and I plan to be around, so I'll be happy to help you drink it! :mrgreen:
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g-man
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by g-man »

Glenn E. wrote:
g-man wrote:
uncle tom wrote:
if i were to buy a 9L bottle of dows 2007.

Would I have a chance in my life time to open this wine when it's ready
A good Dow needs a full forty years or more to show its best..

..do you reckon you're good for another 35 years??
more like will there be fellow port lovers that would be willing to enjoy such a bottle with me in 35 years? ;-)

because I'm really tempted to get the bottle but i would be 70 by the time i drink it.
I'll be 83 and I plan to be around, so I'll be happy to help you drink it! :mrgreen:
should i maybe get teh 6L bottle instead? =)
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Re: Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by Glenn E. »

g-man wrote:
Glenn E. wrote:
g-man wrote:
uncle tom wrote:
if i were to buy a 9L bottle of dows 2007.

Would I have a chance in my life time to open this wine when it's ready
A good Dow needs a full forty years or more to show its best..

..do you reckon you're good for another 35 years??
more like will there be fellow port lovers that would be willing to enjoy such a bottle with me in 35 years? ;-)

because I'm really tempted to get the bottle but i would be 70 by the time i drink it.
I'll be 83 and I plan to be around, so I'll be happy to help you drink it! :mrgreen:
should i maybe get teh 6L bottle instead? =)
Well, Ollie will be 35 then and he'll probably want some, too. 9L seems safer. ;-)

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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by mpij »

uncle tom wrote:I recently purchased two Nebuchadnezzars (15L) - one of Warre '94, the other of Vesuvio '94. Dom tells me that eleven of each were filled.

I havn't picked them up yet - which will be an exercise in itself... :shock:
I have seen a couple of(empty) Nebuchadnezzar champagne bottles, I sincerely hope it does not happen but it strikes me as risky buying port in this volume as it would be a monumental bummer if one was corked.
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

AHB wrote:
RAYC wrote:
AHB wrote:
Largest full bottle of port that I've ever seen is Graham 1977 Tappit Hen
So who took the photo at the bottom of your FTLOP article on the BFT then...? or was that just a display bottle?
I should have said "Largest full bottle of vintage port that I've ever seen..." I stand corrected.
I've just realised I lied! At a recent tour of the Sandeman lodge I was walked past a large caged room in which there was a large number of double magnums of Vau, '97 I think.

So that's the largest bottle I've ever seen and the Tappit Hen is the largest bottle of port I've ever helped consume.

And the largest bottle I own is a magnum, for the moment...
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.

2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
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RAYC
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by RAYC »

I'm looking right now at the Graham 07 double mag display bottle that Axel gave me and thinking how much i am going enjoy opening a real one soon! But also thinking i do still need a couple of imps in the cellar (preferably from 85 or before....)
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PhilW
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by PhilW »

By co-incidence of timing, I note lot 190 in the upcoming Christies auction:
Taylor Vintage 1963
Believed bottled in 1966 by Smallwoods of Birmingham. Heavily
rewaxed capsule. U.S.A import slip label. Excellent level
Ex Christie’s sale Dec 1995 lot 806- Notes from the catalogue;
Without doubt, a unique bottle of the finest vintage port. The
property of the Hasslacher family, who, for more than 25 years,
under the banner of Deinhard, held the exclusive agency for
Taylors port in the United Kingdom.
This peerless format, containing the equivalent of 40 standard
bottles (30 litres) stands 34 inches high with a diameter of 12
inches at the base, clocking the scales at an impressive 120 lbs.
The bottle was purchased from Smallwoods of Birmingham
in March 1973 (it previously having been filled with Taylor of
the 1927 vintage and consumed in 1949 - no records state who
the privileged party were!) Soon after purchase it was recorked
and rewaxed by the present owners (after considerable efforts, a
bespoke cork had to be honed by Rankins), since when it has
lain undisturbed in the reserve cellars of the Hasslacher family,
inspected at yearly intervals (records available).
The bottle resides in a heavy, custom-built wooden case, referred
to by the current owners as ‟the coffin”!
As this format could comfortably satisfy over 100 discerning
diners it may be considered as the perfect bottle to serve at a
prestigious dinner
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g-man
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by g-man »

PhilW wrote:By co-incidence of timing, I note lot 190 in the upcoming Christies auction:
Taylor Vintage 1963
Believed bottled in 1966 by Smallwoods of Birmingham. Heavily
rewaxed capsule. U.S.A import slip label. Excellent level
Ex Christie’s sale Dec 1995 lot 806- Notes from the catalogue;
Without doubt, a unique bottle of the finest vintage port. The
property of the Hasslacher family, who, for more than 25 years,
under the banner of Deinhard, held the exclusive agency for
Taylors port in the United Kingdom.
This peerless format, containing the equivalent of 40 standard
bottles (30 litres) stands 34 inches high with a diameter of 12
inches at the base, clocking the scales at an impressive 120 lbs.
The bottle was purchased from Smallwoods of Birmingham
in March 1973 (it previously having been filled with Taylor of
the 1927 vintage and consumed in 1949 - no records state who
the privileged party were!) Soon after purchase it was recorked
and rewaxed by the present owners (after considerable efforts, a
bespoke cork had to be honed by Rankins), since when it has
lain undisturbed in the reserve cellars of the Hasslacher family,
inspected at yearly intervals (records available).
The bottle resides in a heavy, custom-built wooden case, referred
to by the current owners as ‟the coffin”!
As this format could comfortably satisfy over 100 discerning
diners it may be considered as the perfect bottle to serve at a
prestigious dinner
are there 40 members of TPF that would partake in such tasting?
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marc j.
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Re: Largest bottle of port?

Post by marc j. »

If I recall correctly, the largest bottle of port that I've seen with my own eyes was a 15L bottle of 1994 Graham's at a local wine shop.
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