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djewesbury wrote:I am now uncertain as to whether I can attend. I will update soon but it is looking more unlikely than likely.

I have a guest who could substitute. If your absence should become certain, I'll invite him.

AHB wrote:I'm not sure. That week is a pretty busy week for me workwise, I'm already in the position of not being able to wholly indulge as normal at the Xmas offline as I have had a 3 line whip imposed on me for a meeting on the Friday.

I had better be a reserve and let others take confirmed seats.

I can now definitely not attend this event. Shame, as the '75 ports have such a stellar reputation.

DRT wrote:I am interested subject to work stuff allowing me to fit this in.

Sorry chaps, I am unable to join you for this.

The Fonseca showed very nice on Sat.

Axel

Axel P wrote:The Fonseca showed very nice on Sat.

It showed similarly well earlier in the year; it is currently the only '75 I might deliberately purchase.

It is Tom’s tasting, and he is organising it. But as he isn’t, I’ll try to help by requesting food orders.

Gentlemen: food orders please.

Edit: current draft of the food order.

Chicken liver parfait with toast
Chargrilled sirloin steak 220g (medium rare) with hand-cut chips and grilled tomato
something chocolaty

Thanks

No starter or dessert thank you.
Main: rare sirloin steak and hand cut chips please (no sauce)
Many thanks,
Simon

Crab toast followed by
Chargrilled sirloin steak 220g with hand-cut chips and grilled tomato (black and blue) and a side of Creamed spinach

Thanks Julian

Crab toast, chargrilled sirloin (rare), side of Peas and beans with mint lemon and butter please.

Those done.

Current draft of the food order has been updated.

To save table space, the placemats (see first post) have a per-person width of 2½×A4 (= 1×A3 + ½×A4), rather than the traditional 3 A4 widths. This works up to seventeen glasses. Dissent should be reasoned and soon.

Hi Julian,

Has Tom mentioned the bonus bottle for the placemats that I am bringing along with his approval? It will be a Niepoort 1957 colheita that I hope will show well, especially given one of the attendees!

Hope that won't cause you much more admin.

Simon

Doggett wrote:Has Tom mentioned

… anything? No, not really.

Doggett wrote:the bonus bottle for the placemats that I am bringing along with his approval? It will be a Niepoort 1957 colheita that I hope will show well, especially given one of the attendees!

Hope that won't cause you much more admin.

Additional admin caused by an extra bottle (75↔57: a mere transposition ‘error’) is welcome admin. Thank you. Added.

This is Tom’s tasting, and he is organising it.

I’m doing things I can — unsuccessfully hassling people for food orders, placemats, etc — but it isn’t my event. And it currently seems that I am likely to be late. Please could folks volunteer to arrive early and help with pre-pouring?

Tom: are you coming? How are you transporting many bottles? When will you arrive? With what bottles? And what do you want to eat?

jdaw1 wrote:And placemats added to first post. Alphabetical flighting not optimal: please suggest better.

Flighting now only partly alphabetical (see first post). TFP on side sheet; Symingtons consecutive (as quickly down columns and slowly across rows, contrary to usual); Niepoorts adjacent. Please suggest improvements.

I am available all day so can be there from whenever required to help with decanting, pre-pouring and place setting (just let me know what time the action will start at the B&F). I am currently without use of a proper printer though, so if you can preprint the placemats Julian (assuming this task will fall to your good self)...I would be happy to pick them up the night before if possible? I am only in Croydon, so not too far from Streatham. If there is anything else I can do prior or on the day, please just let me know.

Simon

Doggett wrote:I am available all day so can be there from whenever required to help with decanting, pre-pouring and place setting (just let me know what time the action will start at the B&F).

Excellent, thank you. Would you be happy to take charge of the set-up?

Doggett wrote:I am currently without use of a proper printer though

Mike has an A3 printer and has volunteered to print, so that is in hand.

I am happy to set it up, but bear in mind this is only my second 'large' tasting after two emergencies. That said, I think I got the idea having helped at the 85 horizontal so... No problem. Therefore, I just need a few bits of info...

Tom - Are the bottles at the Boot, and if not what time will they be there?
Tom/Julian - Is there an up to date list of the attendees, timings and the ports?
Mike - what time will you be there with the placemats etc.?
all - Do they have equipment for decanting etc there or do I need to bring it along?

I think that covers it...but if there is anything else, let me know. I will get there from about 2pm to get cracking, providing that is possible, and look forward to seeing you all later.

Simon

As things currently stand, I can probably get there for around 4. Much depends on when Tom can get there, or more importantly, when the bottles can get there. Two hours for two of us decanting 16 bottles or so and pre-pouring should be OK. I have a couple of funnels and filter cloth I can bring.

Obviously the current plan for the placemats is to overlap the A3 first page onto the A4 second, thus:

I thought there was going to be a Sandeman as well from various posts? But not to worry.

Mike - I will see you there around 4pm and shall be there earlier in case.
Tom - Are some of the 75s already at the B&F or what time will you be arriving with all the juice?

All this planning has made me thirsty! Time for another Sandeman 30Y to sate the craving

jdaw1 wrote:I’m doing things I can — unsuccessfully hassling people for food orders

DRT wrote:

DRT wrote:I am interested subject to work stuff allowing me to fit this in.

Sorry chaps, I am unable to join you for this.

No food required for me.

DRT wrote:No food required for me.

Most definitely. For some weeks. And then, for some while after, very little food at all. But plenty of water. Stop when you reach 14 stone. Or maybe 13½ stone.

Chicken liver parfait with toast
Chargrilled sirloin steak 220g (medium rare) with hand-cut chips and grilled tomato
no dessert

Sorry was away.

regards

WS1

Until a few moments ago DRT was listed in the first post. Am I missing somebody, or are we now thirteen? Please could somebody check my work.

Having looked through the posts, I don't think you are missing anyone unless you or Wolfgang are bring a guest that isn't listed.

The only question mark is Daniel who has stated that it maybe unlikely he can attend...
Daniel - can you confirm?

Hi,
Wild mushrooms on toast and the chargrilled sirloin steak (medium rare) with peppercorn sauce please.
Looking forward to meeting those of you who will be there.
Steve

Apologies for being a bit slow but my order is a as follows:

Potted Shrimp on granary etc
Sirloin steak (medium rare) with the chips plus side order of the peas and beans
Dessert tbd on the night

Can someone confirm what I am supposed to be bring (I am assuming the OBV and T)? I mentioned at the last meeting that I have secured a bottle of S75 although I won't know its condition until I pick it up tomorrow. Happy to include this within the tasting (if it proves in reasonable condition).

Any bottles that I m am bringing will arrive decanted and given that a colleague has coerced me into attending part of a meeting means that my likely eta won't be before 6.30pm.

Current draft of the food order has been updated. Still missing Dirk and Marco and Tom and Tony, and maybe Daniel. Daniel—are you coming?

Doggett wrote:Having looked through the posts, I don't think you are missing anyone unless you or Wolfgang are bring a guest that isn't listed.

Thank you for checking.

idj123 wrote:Can someone confirm what I am supposed to be bring (I am assuming the OBV and T)? I mentioned at the last meeting that I have secured a bottle of S75 although I won't know its condition until I pick it up tomorrow. Happy to include this within the tasting (if it proves in reasonable condition).

Any bottles that I m am bringing will arrive decanted and given that a colleague has coerced me into attending part of a meeting means that my likely eta won't be before 6.30pm.

Tom needs to reply, and he hasn’t been answering my PMs.

Sorry all, was hoping to make it along still but with the list of commitments I now have that week I can't make it along - see most of you on Thursday week at the White Horse.

As we are now merely twelve, I have invited a non-industry guest.

Edit: that space is again free — already committed.

If I was to find my self in London next Tuesday would there be space for me? I do have a McKenzie 75 although I have always wanted to open it alongside my McKenzie 55 so I may need to adopt if the answer is positive. Thank you.


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benread wrote:If I was to find my self in London next Tuesday would there be space for me? I do have a McKenzie 75 although I have always wanted to open it alongside my McKenzie 55 so I may need to adopt if the answer is positive. Thank you.

On Tom’s behalf, yes, you are in. Please post a food order.

Truffle mac & cheese followed by the gammon with black pudding.

Please tell me if I am just contributing to costs or if my pair of McKenzies should be prepared?

Thank you.


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benread wrote:Truffle mac & cheese followed by the gammon with black pudding.

In a PM (insert obvious) forest26 wrote:Crab toast with chilli, fennel and avocado

Chargrilled sirloin steak 220g (medium rare) with hand-cut chips and grilled tomato Peas and beans with mint lemon and butter

Added to the current draft of the food order.

benread wrote:Please tell me if I am just contributing to costs or if my pair of McKenzies should be prepared?

Don’t know. Tom to pronounce. Hopefully soon.

Tom: are you coming? How are you transporting many bottles? When will you arrive? With what bottles? And what do you want to eat?

Panic not! - plan to drive into town on Saturday and drop off a load of bottles, and then come down around midday on Tuesday to get things sorted.

Thanks for sorting the food order - usual lump of cow preceded by pate will suffice..

uncle tom wrote:a load of bottles

Any clues as to which? We are thirteen people, and Ian can bring Offley and Taylor, but only if told, and Ben can bring Mackenzie 1975 and 1955, but only if told. Please instruct!

uncle tom wrote:Thanks for sorting the food order - usual lump of cow preceded by pate will suffice..

And peppercorn sauce? Because that is what I guessed. Any food order from the Niepoorts?

uncle tom wrote:plan to drive into town on Saturday and drop off a load of bottles

Tom, could you please bring the three bottles of Krohn 1965 that you have for me to be left at the B&F? I will try to get your 2 bottles of Ck77 there in time for you to collect on the day of the 75 tasting.

Hi Tom

I think I volunteered some time ago to bring Sandeman. Can you confirm that this is still needed?
Looking forward to the event.
Tony

I think I volunteered some time ago to bring Sandeman. Can you confirm that this is still needed?

Yes indeed thanks Tony

I will be delivering twelve of the thirteen bottles I listed on the opening post tomorrow, the exception being the Taylor, where we have a choice of sources.

I can supply a Taylor from a proven stash with good level for £35 - if that betters the alternate offer, I'll bring the bottle down on the day.

Tom: please list the twelve you are bringing.

Tom. Let me know if you would like my McKenzie brothers on parade. My only caveat is that I promised them that when the time comes they would go to the grave together!


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Let me know if you would like my McKenzie brothers on parade. My only caveat is that I promised them that when the time comes they would go to the grave together!

Sounds like fun to me - what do others think?

please list the twelve you are bringing.

These are being taken down shortly:

Cálem
Cockburn
Croft
Delaforce
Dow
Fonseca
Gould Campbell
Graham
Niepoort
Noval
Smith Woodhouse
Warre

The Taylor can travel down with me on the day if needed.

uncle tom wrote:These are being taken down shortly:

Cálem
Cockburn
Croft
Delaforce
Dow
Fonseca
Gould Campbell
Graham
Niepoort
Noval
Smith Woodhouse
Warre

Twelve: thank you.

idj123 wrote:Can someone confirm what I am supposed to be bring (I am assuming the OBV and T)?

Yes please: IDJ to bring Offley and Taylor. Please confirm that this will happen.

forest26 wrote:I think I volunteered some time ago to bring Sandeman. Can you confirm that this is still needed?

Yes please: TC to bring Sandeman. Please confirm that this will happen.

Doggett wrote:the bonus bottle for the placemats that I am bringing along with his approval? It will be a Niepoort 1957 colheita

Yes please: SCD to bring the Niepoort 1957 colheita. Please confirm that this will happen.

benread wrote:I do have a McKenzie 75 although I have always wanted to open it alongside my McKenzie 55

Two unusual bottles, at least one excellent, both to be saved for another day. Thank you, but not this time.

The Niepoort 57 colheita can confirm it's attendance on Tuesday.... Looking forward to it.

Tom - I am free all day to help set up. Let me know what time on Tuesday to come along? I shall just be enjoying the delights of borough market late morning, so happy to start the set up whenever you are ready.

Simon

WS1 wrote:same here; will try to come and would bring Quarles Harris.

Wolfgang: please confirm still bringing QH75.

jdaw1 wrote:

WS1 wrote:same here; will try to come and would bring Quarles Harris.

Wolfgang: please confirm still bringing QH75.

confirmed; will bring to the B&F tomorrow

regards

WS1

idj123 wrote:Can someone confirm what I am supposed to be bring (I am assuming the OBV and T)?

Yes please: IDJ to bring Offley and Taylor. Please confirm that this will happen.

This will happen-have located said bottles (as part of an overall cataloging of the bottles I retain at home-which incidentally resulted in that SW85 I knew I had turning up!). These are primed and ready to be decanted. As mentioned in an earlier post, I also have a 75cl bottle of S75 that I collected the other day and can report that the seal and fill level are both good. I note that Tony may be supplying although my understanding that this was in magnum format and so happy to provide this as well (since it was secured in part with this tasting in mind). Will need to know soonest since I will be decanting tomorrow am.

idj123 wrote:I also have a 75cl bottle of S75 that I collected the other day and can report that the seal and fill level are both good. I note that Tony may be supplying although my understanding that this was in magnum format and so happy to provide this as well (since it was secured in part with this tasting in mind).

Assume that Tony is bringing the Sandeman 1975 and hence that you aren’t. And if Tony’s S75 happens to be a magnum, well, it’s a hard life.

Hi Guys
Confirm I will bring S75 (mag)
Looking forward to tomorrow.
Cheers

Tony