ThePortForum.com

Posted: **14:43 Fri 01 Apr 2016**

James Maitland, whose name will be familiar to any who buy port from Seckfords, has confessed to turning 55 in mid April next year and plans to celebrate his birthday by opening a bottle of 1955 Croft, from a case given to him as a Christening present.

When I suggested that he might like to provide us with an excuse to meet up in London in April next year - perhaps the night before BFT 2017 - and insist on sharing his bottle with other port lovers and being forced to drink other ports from 1955 brought by those other port lovers, he thought that would be a tremendous idea.

So who is in and what could you bring?

James Maitland reconfirmed — Croft (at B&F);
AHB reconfirmed — Gonzalez Byass (at B&F);
JDAW reconfirmed - Taylor (at B&F);
SCD reconfirmed - Noval (at B&F);
CPR reconfirmed — Dow (at B&F);
MPM reconfirmed — Warre (adopted from THRA, at B&F);
IDJ reconfirmed — Fonseca (at B&F);
THRA presumed to have reconfirmed — Graham (at B&F);
JK reconfirmed - Cockburn (at B&F);
JK's +1 reconfirmed - Offley (adopted, to be paid to THRA on the night; at THRA);
CA confirmed - Sandeman (at B&F);
GM. - Mackenzie (adopted, to be paid to THRA on the night; at B&F)

Not Available

PW — Graham, or Warre (lbv-ish), possibly Offley
TC reconfirmed;
DRT reconfirmed;
JB Vintage
AP

Food order.

Current draft of the placemats.

Posted: **14:56 Fri 01 Apr 2016**

Fifty-five is excellent. Yes please.

Posted: **15:51 Fri 01 Apr 2016**

Absolutely. Possibly the event I most wish I had attended, having only discovered TPF shortly after. G55, or W55(lbv-ish), possibly Offley.

Posted: **17:36 Fri 01 Apr 2016**

Please count me in. I hope to have a 55 to contribute by then.

Simon

Posted: **18:49 Fri 01 Apr 2016**

Yes please. I have D55

Posted: **21:00 Fri 01 Apr 2016**

A fine idea - count me in. I think I might have a Martinez, will check.

Posted: **21:44 Fri 01 Apr 2016**

Yes please.

The only 55 I have is a Butler Nephew, so it will be coming along too.

Posted: **05:38 Sat 02 Apr 2016**

Oh yes- definitely please. I still have a F55 from the batch from which we've already enjoyed a couple of bottles plus a G55.

Posted: **09:15 Sat 02 Apr 2016**

This post reserves a place for THRA.

Posted: **12:37 Sat 02 Apr 2016**

Count me in - have 14 different '55s, and am heavy on Taylor and Graham..

Posted: **16:33 Sat 02 Apr 2016**

I'm interested. I think I drunk my last 55 last night. That can be remedied somehow, most obviously with reference to Tom's last post.

Posted: **10:22 Sun 03 Apr 2016**

Ben Campbell-Johnston, by email, re the date of the 2017 BFT, wrote:I suspect it will be after St George’s day but before the London Wine Fair. It depends on several criteria, such as Easter dates, Decanter and IWC judging dates among other things – April 24th – May 5th looks likely.

Posted: **21:16 Sun 03 Apr 2016**

Wow - this got off the ground quickly.
Can I go on the list please?
TC

Posted: **17:53 Mon 04 Apr 2016**

Waiting list, please to fill in the gaps Niepoort etc.

Posted: **22:28 Mon 04 Apr 2016**

Axel P wrote:Waiting list, please to fill in the gaps Niepoort etc.

There is room — you are, lucky for you, # 13 — so why the waiting list?

Posted: **08:56 Thu 07 Apr 2016**

I the best pedantic traditions of this site, might I point out that this should be 55@62..

Posted: **12:07 Thu 07 Apr 2016**

uncle tom wrote:I the best pedantic traditions of this site, might I point out that this should be 55@62..

AHB wrote:James Maitland, whose name will be familiar to any who buy port from Seckfords, has confessed to turning 55 in mid April next year and plans to celebrate his birthday by opening a bottle of 1955 Croft, from a case given to him as a Christening present.

1955s at James Maitland’s 55th. Abbreviated to “55@55”. All in the best pedantic traditions of this site.

Posted: **17:58 Mon 29 Aug 2016**

I would very much like to come as I will go the BFT. I hope there is still space in the tasting room. I have seven 1955s. In addition to the ones that has been mentioned I can provide a George Thienpont 1955 vintage, or a Tuke Holdsworth.

Posted: **20:47 Mon 29 Aug 2016**

Would be interested if there is a place left. Cockburn's (see Derek).

Posted: **21:30 Mon 29 Aug 2016**

Justin K wrote:Would be interested if there is a place left. Cockburn's (see Derek).

JB vintage wrote:I would very much like to come as I will go the BFT. I hope there is still space in the tasting room. I have seven 1955s. In addition to the ones that has been mentioned I can provide a George Thienpont 1955 vintage, or a Tuke Holdsworth.

Gentlemen - it would be an absolute pleasure to finally welcome both of you to one of our offlines in London. Even if we have to squeeze an extra 2 portions out of each bottle, as the organiser of the event I will use my executive powers to include you both.

It might be that once the date of the BFT is set that one or two people will not be able to attend and we will reduce numbers to our usual maximum of 14.

Posted: **11:48 Sat 03 Sep 2016**

Thank you Alex, I really appreciate that and look forward to seeing all of you!

Posted: **22:50 Wed 07 Sep 2016**

Justin K wrote:Would be interested if there is a place left. Cockburn's (see Derek).

My email records say it is a Croft and it should still be in the cellar of the Boot & Flogger.

Julian is checking.

Posted: **09:21 Thu 08 Sep 2016**

DRT wrote:
Justin K wrote:Would be interested if there is a place left. Cockburn's (see Derek).
My email records say it is a Croft and it should still be in the cellar of the Boot & Flogger.

Julian is checking.

Luke at B&F says that we have a Cockburn 1955 in the cellar.

Posted: **13:02 Sun 18 Dec 2016**

Sten and Stefan would like to come if possible.
Regards Jorgen

Posted: **13:25 Sun 18 Dec 2016**

Not my tasting, but the first post suggests that it is already more than full.

Posted: **06:38 Tue 20 Dec 2016**

DRT wrote:The only 55 I have is a Butler Nephew, so it will be coming along too.

I need to report a theft. Having reserved my BN55 for this tasting it seems that someone stole it from my cellar, took it to the Douro during this year's harvest and drunk it

I will need to adopt, please.

Posted: **13:10 Tue 20 Dec 2016**

DRT wrote:
DRT wrote:The only 55 I have is a Butler Nephew, so it will be coming along too.
I need to report a theft. Having reserved my BN55 for this tasting it seems that someone stole it from my cellar, took it to the Douro during this year's harvest and drunk it

I will need to adopt, please.

The exemplary data management of DRT strikes again.

Posted: **23:44 Sat 31 Dec 2016**

DRT wrote:
DRT wrote:The only 55 I have is a Butler Nephew, so it will be coming along too.
I need to report a theft. Having reserved my BN55 for this tasting it seems that someone stole it from my cellar, took it to the Douro during this year's harvest and drunk it

I will need to adopt, please.

I thought that was only a dream of JDAW's? You mean it really did happen? What a coincidence.

Posted: **16:30 Fri 13 Jan 2017**

With the untimely demise of Ben Campbell-Johnson it appears likely that the BFT will not take place in 2017. The original plan had been to tie this tasting in to be the night before the BFT, but 1955 is good enough to drink without the need for an additional excuse!

James Maitland has suggested Thursday 6th April as a date when he would be able to join us in London.

Would those who expressed an interest subject to a date now please reconfirm attendance if we meet up on Thursday 6th?

Interestingly, this means that we are pacing our tastings at a very reasonable and sustainable monthly interval.

Posted: **17:54 Fri 13 Jan 2017**

Reconfirming...thank you

Posted: **18:12 Fri 13 Jan 2017**

Terribly tragic about Ben passing away. I hope the BFT will live on in tribute.

On the date 6 April works for me.

Posted: **19:57 Fri 13 Jan 2017**

Still in.

Posted: **20:01 Fri 13 Jan 2017**

It would be a real shame if all of Ben's (and Danny's) hard work in establishing the BFT were to be allowed to fall away and so hopefully this is merely a hiatus and others can assume the mantle next year. I'm still ok for this tasting by the way.

Posted: **22:15 Fri 13 Jan 2017**

Confirmed. And I have Cockburn within reach.

Posted: **23:29 Mon 23 Jan 2017**

Alex, confirming my attendance and I will have a plus 1!

Posted: **00:36 Tue 24 Jan 2017**

In, subject to available adoption.

Posted: **07:17 Tue 24 Jan 2017**

AHB wrote: ↑16:30 Fri 13 Jan 2017Would those who expressed an interest subject to a date now please reconfirm attendance if we meet up on Thursday 6th?

Unfortunately it is highly likely that I will be unable to make the revised date.

Posted: **14:28 Wed 25 Jan 2017**

Charles, Tony, Axel - are you planning attending the 55 @ 55 again offline on Thu 6th April?

Jorgen - there is a place available for you if you will be in the UK that day. Please let me know.

Posted: **14:39 Wed 25 Jan 2017**

Yes, the date is in my diary. Sorry for not replying earlier

Posted: **16:49 Wed 25 Jan 2017**

Reconfirming please

Posted: **20:56 Mon 30 Jan 2017**

reconfirming

Posted: **08:25 Mon 06 Feb 2017**

Need to bug out for another appointment. Have fun wih the Ports.

Best

Axel

Posted: **09:49 Tue 07 Feb 2017**

AHB wrote: ↑14:43 Fri 01 Apr 2016DRT reconfirmed— Butler Nephew

Once again I confirm that someone stole my Butler Nephew 1955 so I need to adopt please.

Posted: **15:37 Thu 09 Feb 2017**

Curse my lack of organisation skills.... Mrs C has just pointed out that on the 6th Apr I should be on a plane going on hols NOT going to B&F for a tasting.
I'd better back out now (of the tasting that is).

Posted: **17:06 Thu 09 Feb 2017**

I would like to come please, as spaces seem to be opening up. I would have to adopt...

Posted: **14:05 Mon 27 Feb 2017**

DaveRL wrote: ↑17:06 Thu 09 Feb 2017 I would like to come please, as spaces seem to be opening up. I would have to adopt...

A place is yours, leaving us with one more seat at the table if required.

Posted: **14:25 Mon 27 Feb 2017**

13 people are attending. 7 have identified they have 1955 port to contribute but many people need to adopt. I would like to tentatively suggest the following:
James Maitland - Croft
Charles R - Dow
Mike - Martinez
Ian - Fonseca
Justin - Cockburn
Alex - Gonzalez Byass
Tom - Graham

That leaves 6 people to adopt (or to discover some 1955 port in their cellar). I'm happy to contribute up to 3 more bottles to the tasting from my cellar; PM me if you would like details. I can offer Noval, Sandeman, Taylor or Warre. First come, first served!

You might also be able to adopt from Tom. Please approach Tom directly by PM if you'd like to do so. Other than the Taylor Tom mentioned in his earlier post, I don't know what he might have available.

Posted: **15:16 Mon 27 Feb 2017**

Alex, I was wrong, I'd checked and don't actually have a Mz55

so I also need to adopt.

Posted: **22:17 Mon 27 Feb 2017**

I could bring Taylor.

Posted: **09:37 Tue 28 Feb 2017**

Now adjusted to reflect corrections above

AHB wrote: ↑14:25 Mon 27 Feb 2017 13 people are attending. 7 have identified they have 1955 port to contribute but many people need to adopt. I would like to tentatively suggest the following:
James Maitland - Croft
Charles - Dow
Ian - Fonseca
Justin - Cockburn
Alex - Gonzalez Byass
Tom - Graham
Julian - Taylor

That leaves 6 people to adopt (or to discover some 1955 port in their cellar). I'm happy to contribute up to 3 more bottles to the tasting from my cellar; PM me if you would like details. I can offer Noval, Sandeman or Warre. First come, first served!

You might also be able to adopt from Tom. Please approach Tom directly by PM if you'd like to do so. Other than the Taylor Tom mentioned in his earlier post, I don't know what he might have available.

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