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A few drinks off the list in the Boot & Flogger, 16 Dec 2014

Posted: 02:15 Wed 17 Dec 2014
by djewesbury
A really excellent night in really excellent company drinking some very enjoyable
Port. Thanks to all.

The ports:
Offley 1977 (B&F)
Noval 1966 (B&F)
Dow 1970 (DRT)
Churchill 1994 (B&F)
Warre 1970 (B&F)

Organising thread

Arriving, we were excellently looked after by the staff at the Boot & Flogger, who increased our table from a four to a six without any complaint or fuss. As already reported, the B&F is a very accommodating venue with some excellent rooms downstairs. We sat in the main bar, where we were very comfortable in leather armchairs beneath the carcasses of fine ports of the past.

We began with a modest appetite-whetter, Offley 77 and Churchill 94 from the B&F's list. Both had been decanted earlier in the day and were in very good condition. Soon, JDAW arrived, bearing nothing, in a large box, and DRT arrived with a (clearly fake) Dow 70. AHB arrived and disappeared for 15 minutes; we later learned that he had been touring the cellars to ascertain what he was allowed to buy. When another decanter appeared at the table we attempted to guess what he had found (Noval 66).

After dinner we were inexplicably still thirsty and it was still very early so we ordered one more from the list, a Warre 70. Thirst not completely slaked some of us repaired to the George afterward for two pints of 4% water.

A really excellent night, thanks to the Boot & Flogger for their extremely courteous service. We will be back.

Re: A few drinks off the list in the Boot & Flogger, 16 Dec

Posted: 02:16 Wed 17 Dec 2014
by djewesbury
Turns out the B&F used to be a regular venue for my Dad's group of ex-civil service 'elderly and retired Grade 5s who need a drink'. A family tradition is passed down.

Re: A few drinks off the list in the Boot & Flogger, 16 Dec

Posted: 18:16 Thu 18 Dec 2014
by flash_uk
Another highly enjoyable evening, with great company in a great new venue. The B&F has a wonderful atmosphere and superb decor. And on top of all that, excellent port. Oh, and excellent food also. Nice to have an experience where the bottles purchased at the venue proved to be in very good shape.

Re: A few drinks off the list in the Boot & Flogger, 16 Dec

Posted: 18:26 Thu 18 Dec 2014
by jdaw1
djewesbury wrote:Turns out the B&F used to be a regular venue for my Dad's group of ex-civil service 'elderly and retired Grade 5s who need a drink'. A family tradition is passed down.
Please consider sending a letter to the manager saying (an expanded version of) that.

Re: A few drinks off the list in the Boot & Flogger, 16 Dec

Posted: 18:52 Thu 18 Dec 2014
by djewesbury
I will do, and will also post my full review, once tonight is in the bag.

Re: A few drinks off the list in the Boot & Flogger, 16 Dec

Posted: 22:31 Thu 18 Dec 2014
by DRT
A very satisfactory beginning to our relationship with BAF.

The Noval 66 and Dow 70 were delicious, closely followed by the Offley 707. The Churchill 94 was good Port but suffered from the company it was keeping. The emergency Warre 70 had a bit of a problem on the nose, which was debated to be either TCA or bottle stink. I thought the latter.

The food was good, the staff were excellent in every way that we need them to be and the venue was ideal for what we need.

Well done to whoever found the BAF.

Re: A few drinks off the list in the Boot & Flogger, 16 Dec

Posted: 22:53 Thu 18 Dec 2014
by djewesbury
Thank you, was that me? I think so.

Re: A few drinks off the list in the Boot & Flogger, 16 Dec

Posted: 13:28 Tue 23 Dec 2014
by Alex Bridgeman
I will add to the general sense of bonhomie. I liked the venue - a Davy's the way they used to be before the current desire to improve everything. An excellent port list and a very interesting cellar with lots of bottles that aren't on the list.

The food was good, but limited in choice (but steak was one choice so the menu was perfect).

I look forward to our first proper event there - perhaps we should invite James Davy to join us and share some of the joy that his top quality port can bring?

Re: A few drinks off the list in the Boot & Flogger, 16 Dec

Posted: 20:48 Sun 04 Jan 2015
by Alex Bridgeman
I've just found the WOTN scoring sheet from the inaugural B&F offline.
DJ - 2½: N66, O77; 1: D70
MPM - 3: N66, 2: D70, 1: O77
CPR - 3: N66, 2: D70, 1: O77
DRT - 3: N66, D70
RAB - 2½: O77, 1½: N66, D70, ½: Ch94
AHB - 3: N66, 2: O77, 1: D70

That means the wines scored:
N66 - 16
D70 - 10½
O77 - 9
Ch94 - ½

Scores were taken before the W70 was consumed.