12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
- Alex Bridgeman
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12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Timed to try and match the potential return travel plans of those US folks travelling on Roy and Mario's Harvest Tour this year, we are organising a tasting in London of as many shippers of the 1955 vintage as we can get hold of - hence the theme of "55 @ 55" since they will be celebrating the 55th anniversary of their vintage.
Arrangements are still being finalised, but the date is confirmed as Tuesday 12th October. Cost is likely to be in the region of GBP £50-60 plus a contribution of 1-2 bottles from the 1955 vintage either in the form of port or funds towards the costs of the port. (The cost of the port is likely to work out to be around £120 per bottle or £180 per person but will obviously depend on the ports we are able to source.)
Anyone who is able and would like to attend, please post a reply here so as to help me with the planning of the event. Please also let me know by PM whether you have any 1955 port you would be willing and able to offer for the tasting.
Places will be limited and will be offered on a first response, first secured basis (with some exceptions for folks who are helping me with the organisation of the tasting). This thread replaces any and all previous threads talking about this tasting - if you want a place then let me know; having a place from a previous thread does NOT give you a place at the table unless your initials are listed below. To start with, places will be limited to 14 to ensure we have decent tasting samples but if enough extra people are interested then I will look at the practicality of using two bottles of each port so that we will be able to accommodate up to 28 people.
Confirmed Attendees
1) AHB (Buckingham Palace Blend and Noval)
2) THRA (Taylor)
3) AP (Offley and Niepoort, the latter through the generosity of Dirk Niepoort)
4) Industry Guest
5) RAH (Cockburn and Fonseca)
6) NN (Cockburn and Fonseca)
7) DRT (Martinez)
8) BMHR (McKenzie)
9) GEE (Gonzales Byass)
10) CMAG (Graham)
11) CSD (Ferreira)
12) JDAW (Warre and Adam's (probably Royal Oporto))
13) RLC (Sandeman)
14) RAYC (who is right handed, bringing Dow)
Alex
Arrangements are still being finalised, but the date is confirmed as Tuesday 12th October. Cost is likely to be in the region of GBP £50-60 plus a contribution of 1-2 bottles from the 1955 vintage either in the form of port or funds towards the costs of the port. (The cost of the port is likely to work out to be around £120 per bottle or £180 per person but will obviously depend on the ports we are able to source.)
Anyone who is able and would like to attend, please post a reply here so as to help me with the planning of the event. Please also let me know by PM whether you have any 1955 port you would be willing and able to offer for the tasting.
Places will be limited and will be offered on a first response, first secured basis (with some exceptions for folks who are helping me with the organisation of the tasting). This thread replaces any and all previous threads talking about this tasting - if you want a place then let me know; having a place from a previous thread does NOT give you a place at the table unless your initials are listed below. To start with, places will be limited to 14 to ensure we have decent tasting samples but if enough extra people are interested then I will look at the practicality of using two bottles of each port so that we will be able to accommodate up to 28 people.
Confirmed Attendees
1) AHB (Buckingham Palace Blend and Noval)
2) THRA (Taylor)
3) AP (Offley and Niepoort, the latter through the generosity of Dirk Niepoort)
4) Industry Guest
5) RAH (Cockburn and Fonseca)
6) NN (Cockburn and Fonseca)
7) DRT (Martinez)
8) BMHR (McKenzie)
9) GEE (Gonzales Byass)
10) CMAG (Graham)
11) CSD (Ferreira)
12) JDAW (Warre and Adam's (probably Royal Oporto))
13) RLC (Sandeman)
14) RAYC (who is right handed, bringing Dow)
Alex
Last edited by Alex Bridgeman on 09:40 Mon 04 Oct 2010, edited 17 times in total.
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Yes please! I have 2 bottles of McKenzie 1955, sourced via UncleTom. Nothing more from 1955 I am afraid!
Ben
-------
Vintage 1970 and now proud owner of my first ever 'half-century'!
-------
Vintage 1970 and now proud owner of my first ever 'half-century'!
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Yes, please. However I do believe that airplane travel on the day of the event wont add any value to the bottles. Tom, could you please help me out on this?
Axel
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Agreed - if anyone else wants their bottles settled, my cellar is available!However I do believe that airplane travel on the day of the event wont add any value to the bottles. Tom, could you please help me out on this?
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
I responded on FTLOP, but will mention here also that I'll need to adopt. I have nothing from 1955 in my cellar and acquiring it in the US would be rather extravagant compared to acquiring it in the EU.
Glenn Elliott
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
I will be on parade!
My preferred contribution would be the Taylor, as I have some very well cellared bottles that have yet to be sampled.
I can also assist with adoptions...
Tom
My preferred contribution would be the Taylor, as I have some very well cellared bottles that have yet to be sampled.
I can also assist with adoptions...
Tom
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: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Sign me up!
Will need to start hunting these down...do we have a list of what is already available? I will PM Tom about something to bring...should be a lovely evening.
Will need to start hunting these down...do we have a list of what is already available? I will PM Tom about something to bring...should be a lovely evening.
- Alex Bridgeman
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Consider yourself signed up.Chris Doty wrote:Sign me up!
Will need to start hunting these down...do we have a list of what is already available? I will PM Tom about something to bring...should be a lovely evening.
So far, we have McKenzie offered plus Tom and I have about a dozen shippers between us - but the challenge is for everyone to find themselves a bottle or two of 1955 vintage port to bring to the evening. They are a bit pricey, but not too difficult to find. Post here or PM me with whatever you're thinking of buying and I'll confirm whether it's already included or not.
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
+jdaw1 please.
- Alex Bridgeman
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Donejdaw1 wrote:+jdaw1 please.
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
FYI - after a brief search, availability in the US is decent; pricing is not. Taylor, Graham, and Noval are available in limited quantities at $300. More at $350-$400. Others go up from there, including Ferreira, Croft, Burmester, Tuke Holdsworth, Martinez, Gonzales, Cockburn, Dow, and Warre. Those last 4 are all $400 or over. Fonseca starts at $575. 

Glenn Elliott
- Alex Bridgeman
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Given the fairly slow response to this specific thread organising the 55 @ 55 tasting compared to when it was mentioned in the winter, I am wondering whether I am being too ambitious in trying to organise a tasting with 2 bottles per person.
Does anyone have any comments or thoughts as to whether I should amend the tasting to be 14 people and 14 bottles? PM me if you don't wish to make your comments public.
Does anyone have any comments or thoughts as to whether I should amend the tasting to be 14 people and 14 bottles? PM me if you don't wish to make your comments public.
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Fourteen people, not more than thirty-six shippers.
Have you considered PM'ing those who replied to the previous threads?
Have you considered PM'ing those who replied to the previous threads?
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Alex,
I am very interested to join this tasting but I highly likely cannot come on the proposed date to the tasting, hence I did not step forward. Since I am moving house in August al lot this year is preplanned/fixed and hence the dilemma.
I think 2bts per person are fine if you still allow for two stints. I expect a couple of bts being not drinkable since 1955 being also traded a lot and hence provenance issues may arise. The quality of this vintage is outstanding, but the increased transporting round the world can be an issue.
regards
WS1
I am very interested to join this tasting but I highly likely cannot come on the proposed date to the tasting, hence I did not step forward. Since I am moving house in August al lot this year is preplanned/fixed and hence the dilemma.
I think 2bts per person are fine if you still allow for two stints. I expect a couple of bts being not drinkable since 1955 being also traded a lot and hence provenance issues may arise. The quality of this vintage is outstanding, but the increased transporting round the world can be an issue.
regards
WS1
"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough"
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
After all this time, I am still a lightweight. 2 bottles per person, even broken into two shifts, is very likely more Port than I can consume and still remain minimally functional. I'm more than happy to step up if that's the planned event, but I would be more comfortable (and more likely to produce legible TNs) if the event is somewhat smaller.
Glenn Elliott
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Glenn,
You are forgetting that the prior week you will be trying a ton of Ports. If there is ever a time where you will be well fortified and prepared for the likes of 2 bottles, I'd imagine this would be it.
One or two bottles of 1955 sounds good to me either way. Unfortunately, it looks like adoption is going to be necessary. If I was smart, I'd have brought my bottle to Spain and handed it off to a friend there who gets to the UK fairly regularly. Doh!
You are forgetting that the prior week you will be trying a ton of Ports. If there is ever a time where you will be well fortified and prepared for the likes of 2 bottles, I'd imagine this would be it.
One or two bottles of 1955 sounds good to me either way. Unfortunately, it looks like adoption is going to be necessary. If I was smart, I'd have brought my bottle to Spain and handed it off to a friend there who gets to the UK fairly regularly. Doh!
Roy Hersh
http://www.fortheloveofport.com
http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Haha... I'm not forgetting that at all. In fact, that's part of what has me worried!
I've been doing some research, and due to the quirkiness of airline schedules it's going to cost me exactly $0 (in airfare) to make a pit stop in London on the way back from the Harvest Tour. The most reasonable flights (schedule-wise, not cost-wise) from Seattle to Portugal go through LHR, but the return flight leaves Porto too late in the day to make it all the way back to Seattle. I'm forced to spend the night in London and then complete my return trip the next day. Conveniently, the first flight back to Seattle on Wednesday even seems to be at a reasonable hour.
I have one question for the cognoscenti - how much time do I need in Heathrow in order to make my connection to Porto on the way out? Expedia won't offer me the exact combination of flights that I want, so I'm considering booking the two flights separately. (Which, oddly, doesn't cost anything extra. It's usually significantly more expensive to book the legs yourself.) My concern is that Expedia won't offer that combination because the layover in Heathrow is only 2.5 hours.
Is 2.5 hours sufficient to make a connection in Heathrow? I'll be switching airlines from British Airways to Iberia if that makes any difference.



I've been doing some research, and due to the quirkiness of airline schedules it's going to cost me exactly $0 (in airfare) to make a pit stop in London on the way back from the Harvest Tour. The most reasonable flights (schedule-wise, not cost-wise) from Seattle to Portugal go through LHR, but the return flight leaves Porto too late in the day to make it all the way back to Seattle. I'm forced to spend the night in London and then complete my return trip the next day. Conveniently, the first flight back to Seattle on Wednesday even seems to be at a reasonable hour.
I have one question for the cognoscenti - how much time do I need in Heathrow in order to make my connection to Porto on the way out? Expedia won't offer me the exact combination of flights that I want, so I'm considering booking the two flights separately. (Which, oddly, doesn't cost anything extra. It's usually significantly more expensive to book the legs yourself.) My concern is that Expedia won't offer that combination because the layover in Heathrow is only 2.5 hours.
Is 2.5 hours sufficient to make a connection in Heathrow? I'll be switching airlines from British Airways to Iberia if that makes any difference.
Glenn Elliott
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
BA and Iberia just merged. If the first flight is on time, 150 minutes is enough (even plenty, depending on terminals). If not, well, you know.
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Count me in too please...I have a Sandeman 55 for the use of.
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
I have a new plan that saves $200 over the old plan by booking separate round-trip flights on separate days. Icelandic Air from Seattle to London fully encompassing an Iberia flight from London to Porto. I'll spend the night in London both on the way over and on the way back, with the return trip's overnight coinciding nicely with this tasting.jdaw1 wrote:BA and Iberia just merged. If the first flight is on time, 150 minutes is enough (even plenty, depending on terminals). If not, well, you know.
Now I just need to locate a '55!
Glenn Elliott
- Alex Bridgeman
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Consider yourself counted. One more place left.Cookie wrote:Count me in too please...I have a Sandeman 55 for the use of.
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
I am adopting Offley from Tom
Axel
Axel
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- Alex Bridgeman
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
First post updated with a few minor changes as bottles start to be assigned.Axel P wrote:I am adopting Offley from Tom
Axel
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
JDAW: Adam’s; Taylor; Warre; Unknown; Unknown; and a case of Cockburn that I would rather not break.
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
This would have been of great interest; unfortunately I cannot make Oct. 12th.
Have fun - look forward to the TNs.
Best, Victor
Have fun - look forward to the TNs.
Best, Victor
- Alex Bridgeman
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Some minor updates made to the wines being brought.
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
- Alex Bridgeman
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Another wine added to the list.
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
- Alex Bridgeman
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- Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
In the first post of this thread I list out all the wines and people who are attending this offline. There are a couple of people who have yet to decide what to bring, and one of them is only a tentative attendee as he would be flying in from Canada to take part.
So I would like opinions on whether we should look to add some more bottles to the current line up. Currently we have:
- Adam (which is probably Royal Oporto)
- Buckingham Palace Factory House Blend
- Cockburn
- Ferreira
- Fonseca
- Gonzalez Byass
- Graham
- Martinez
- McKenzie
- Offley
- Quinta do Noval
- Sandeman
- Taylor
- Warre
We could add any of the following to the line up for roughly £15 per person, per bottle:
Butler Nephew, Croft, Dow or Rebello Valente
So far, the only costs we have committed to are private arrangements for adoption of bottles plus the cost of the venue (which is about £40-50 per person). Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on whether we should add to the existing list? In the absence of a barrage of positive comments, I will leave the line up as it is at 1 bottle per person and not incur an extra cost on behalf of the team.
Incidentally, if someone has to drop out at the last minute we do not have any reserves. Does anyone have a guest who would be interested in coming along if a space opened up?
Alex
So I would like opinions on whether we should look to add some more bottles to the current line up. Currently we have:
- Adam (which is probably Royal Oporto)
- Buckingham Palace Factory House Blend
- Cockburn
- Ferreira
- Fonseca
- Gonzalez Byass
- Graham
- Martinez
- McKenzie
- Offley
- Quinta do Noval
- Sandeman
- Taylor
- Warre
We could add any of the following to the line up for roughly £15 per person, per bottle:
Butler Nephew, Croft, Dow or Rebello Valente
So far, the only costs we have committed to are private arrangements for adoption of bottles plus the cost of the venue (which is about £40-50 per person). Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on whether we should add to the existing list? In the absence of a barrage of positive comments, I will leave the line up as it is at 1 bottle per person and not incur an extra cost on behalf of the team.
Incidentally, if someone has to drop out at the last minute we do not have any reserves. Does anyone have a guest who would be interested in coming along if a space opened up?
Alex
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
I vote for adding the Dow and Croft but not the other two.AHB wrote:We could add any of the following to the line up for roughly £15 per person, per bottle:
Butler Nephew, Croft, Dow or Rebello Valente
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
I would not mind adding 1 or 2 bottles, preferably the Croft and Dow in that order. But I am also happy with the current lineup and will not be disappointed if it remains as-is.
Glenn Elliott
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
I would vote for some additional 'insurance' in terms of extra bottles. We know from experience that 1 per person can be marginal!
Ben
-------
Vintage 1970 and now proud owner of my first ever 'half-century'!
-------
Vintage 1970 and now proud owner of my first ever 'half-century'!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
I am already starting to feel guilty about denying the Rebello Valente and Butler Nephew their chance to sit alongside their peersDRT wrote:I vote for adding the Dow and Croft but not the other two.AHB wrote:We could add any of the following to the line up for roughly £15 per person, per bottle:
Butler Nephew, Croft, Dow or Rebello Valente

"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Alex,
since this will be an extremely good tasting my voting would be to bring in as many bottles of 55s as we can achieve. Knowing that this tasting will be more expensive, I would understand if others would vote not to.
Axel
since this will be an extremely good tasting my voting would be to bring in as many bottles of 55s as we can achieve. Knowing that this tasting will be more expensive, I would understand if others would vote not to.
Axel
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Replies on adding bottles received so far have been noted. There seems to be a clear consensus to add at least two, but no clear consensus yet whether to add as many as possible.
FOOD
The menu on the evening will be exactly the same as we had last time I was at the RAF Club. That is:
Pea and Mint Soup
Steak, Kidney and Mushroom Pudding with roast potatoes and a selection of vegetables
Sherry Trifle
Coffee
Anyone who would prefer a vegetarian option or who has other dietary requirements, please let me know.
Alex
FOOD
The menu on the evening will be exactly the same as we had last time I was at the RAF Club. That is:
Pea and Mint Soup
Steak, Kidney and Mushroom Pudding with roast potatoes and a selection of vegetables
Sherry Trifle
Coffee
Anyone who would prefer a vegetarian option or who has other dietary requirements, please let me know.
Alex
Last edited by Alex Bridgeman on 12:33 Fri 10 Sep 2010, edited 1 time in total.
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
DRT wrote:I vote for adding the Dow and Croft
Glenn E. wrote:I would not mind adding ... bottles
benread wrote:I would vote for ... extra bottles.
DRT wrote:I vote for adding the ... Rebello Valente and Butler Nephew
That looks like an overwhelming majority in favour of adding all fourAHB wrote:There seems to be a clear consensus to add ... as many as possible.

"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
- Alex Bridgeman
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Who votes for the vegetarian option for DRT?DRT wrote:That looks like an overwhelming majority in favour of adding all four

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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
First draft of placemats.
- +D, +Cr, +BN, +RV.
- Flighting needs work.
- Unfortunately I don’t have the exact cut of Garamond that was designed in 1955, but the substitute will have to suffice.
- What is the first name of MTD?
- Includes decanter labels and bottle labels, the latter to be printed onto the correct side of Ryman product 0220013460.
- Also includes pre-pour sheets, and people names.
- Mckenzie or McKenzie? Please provide evidence. Show your working.
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
My notes show Mackenzie but as the bottles are buried away under the stairs in my 'cellar' I have no easy way of verifying that for a few days at least. Uncle Tom may be able to help as he supplied the bottles to me.jdaw1 wrote:[*]Mckenzie or McKenzie? Please provide evidence. Show your working.[/list]
Ben
-------
Vintage 1970 and now proud owner of my first ever 'half-century'!
-------
Vintage 1970 and now proud owner of my first ever 'half-century'!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
When you can please post a picture.
The picture might inform the book, so please show the whole label.
The picture might inform the book, so please show the whole label.
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Oporto, Old & New by Charles Sellers 1899, page 245, has it as Mackenzie.jdaw1 wrote:Mckenzie or McKenzie? Please provide evidence. Show your working.
Many books by A. L. Simon have it as Mackenzie.
Port, by Rupert Croft-Cooke has it as Mackenzie.
Other books that I own all have it as Mackenzie.
I think it's Mackenzie.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Which has the happy merit of agreeing with my spreadsheet. Official abbreviation shortened to ‟Mk”.DRT wrote:I think it's Mackenzie.
Updated draft of placemats.
- Flighting still needs work.
- What is the first name of MTD?
- Includes decanter labels and bottle labels, the latter to be printed onto the correct side of Ryman product 0220013460.
- Alex Bridgeman
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Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
It is Markusjdaw1 wrote:What is the first name of MTD
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Updated draft of placemats.
- Flighting still needs work.
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Cabbage only, methinks.AHB wrote:Who votes for the vegetarian option for DRT?DRT wrote:That looks like an overwhelming majority in favour of adding all four
In all seriousness, if we add all 4 the tasting will have grown too large. I'm fine with adding 1 or 2 of the bottles, but even that will be sorely testing my ability to give these old Ports their due respect.
Glenn Elliott
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Having reflected on this I am changing my vote to stick with the bottles already listed in the first post of this thread and not add any more. 1955 VP deserves to be given a chance of being tasted by a collection of palates capable of doing so.
Derek
Derek
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
The placemats would look more elegant with fifteen rather than fourteen, so I am unilaterally deciding to keep the Dow.
Updated draft of placemats.
Updated draft of placemats.
- +D.
- ”“Cr, ”“BN, ”“RV.
- Flighting needs work.
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
I can live with that logic, especially as 15 is a Quadro Prime, which makes the solution both aesthetically and mathematically elegant.jdaw1 wrote:The placemats would look more elegant with fifteen rather than fourteen, so I am unilaterally deciding to keep the Dow.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Careful with that reasoning: sixteen is both 2^4 and 4^2, and is the only integer expressible as n^m = m^n with n, m ∈ ℕ.
Then seventeen, ah, now you’re talking, as a heptadecagon is one of very few constructible regular polygons. (Also 3, 5, 257 and 65537, the last two being generous for a single flight.)
Then seventeen, ah, now you’re talking, as a heptadecagon is one of very few constructible regular polygons. (Also 3, 5, 257 and 65537, the last two being generous for a single flight.)
- Alex Bridgeman
- Fonseca 1966
- Posts: 15692
- Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Will you two please behave. This is a public forum!
Bottle numbers - from the views and comments offered so far, I have decided that we will limit the tasting to 15 bottles of 1955 vintage port. This will make the cost per person £65 plus a bottle of port. I will shortly send an email to everyone asking for money to be transferred to my bank account.
Flights - I don't want to taste all 15 bottles in a single flight. As a starting suggestion, I propose to have Blockbusters before dinner and Elegance after dinner. This would mean before dinner we have:
- Buckingham Palace Blend
- Dow
- Fonseca
- Graham
- Taylor
- Warre
And after dinner we have (split between British and Portuguese shippers):
- Cockburn
- Mackenzie
- Offley
- Sandeman
- Adam (which is probably Royal Oporto)
- Ferreira
- Gonzalez Byass
- Martinez
- Noval
Any comments or thoughts on my proposed flights?
Alex
Bottle numbers - from the views and comments offered so far, I have decided that we will limit the tasting to 15 bottles of 1955 vintage port. This will make the cost per person £65 plus a bottle of port. I will shortly send an email to everyone asking for money to be transferred to my bank account.
Flights - I don't want to taste all 15 bottles in a single flight. As a starting suggestion, I propose to have Blockbusters before dinner and Elegance after dinner. This would mean before dinner we have:
- Buckingham Palace Blend
- Dow
- Fonseca
- Graham
- Taylor
- Warre
And after dinner we have (split between British and Portuguese shippers):
- Cockburn
- Mackenzie
- Offley
- Sandeman
- Adam (which is probably Royal Oporto)
- Ferreira
- Gonzalez Byass
- Martinez
- Noval
Any comments or thoughts on my proposed flights?
Alex
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!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 12 October - 55 @ 55 Tasting
Factory House Blends have had a reputation for being made of non-first-rank components. So it’s odd to have that in the ‘blockbusters’. Should it move to the post-dinner British shippers?
Cockburn’s reputation, or at least pricing, was excellent until the 1960s. (My most recent C55, pre-TPF website so no TN here, was excellent.) Move to the ‘blockbusters’?
It’s a shame to have lost the aesthetic pleasure of the 5-5-5 split.
Cockburn’s reputation, or at least pricing, was excellent until the 1960s. (My most recent C55, pre-TPF website so no TN here, was excellent.) Move to the ‘blockbusters’?
It’s a shame to have lost the aesthetic pleasure of the 5-5-5 split.