Magnums of Madeira

[Roy Hersh]

I am walking around the Funchal Airport and they have a Mag of 1920 Blandy's Bual for 1059 Euros. Good to know its value and I figured out v. quickly who purchased the one bottle they sold today.

[Reidar Andersen]

Saw that last December , shocked of price, and wondered about security at change of planes?

[Roy Hersh]

I also wondered how my friend was able to get this back to the USA, having to go back through security, but likely having his baggage back in his possession first. Smart move if the price was right for him. I just bought one of the most expensive bottles in my collection while there, but it was a 750.

[Moses Botbol]

Wow, never seen a magnum of Madeira.

[Eric Ifune]

Ok, it was me.
My flight boarded at 7:15AM. Walking around the shop, I saw it in the window. I've never seen a Mag before either and immediately lusted after it, especially since we had the same wine with Chris Blandy a couple days before. By the way, they still have 1800 liters still in cask and will bottle the rest in 2020. The shop was closed and I figured I was safe, but the lights turned on at 7:00. I walked in, saw the Mag and price, made a spur of the moment decision, then walked out and boarded my flight to Lisbon with it as a carry on. Later I got ahold of my checked baggage and managed to cram it in there. Since it was only a roll away already packed with a Magnum of Tedo 2007 port, two bottles of 20 year old Setubal, and two half bottles of over 40 year old Noval Tawny and a bunch of dirty clothes, I was more than worried about it. Fortunately, all arrived safe and sound.

[Steve Pollack]

Eric, I had a feeling it was you. Nice buy!

[Roy Hersh]

And he's not even mentioning the fact that he had a full case shipper along too. I guess that was also "crammed" with Madeira.

I have to say that when the shop merchant mentioned he had already sold a 1920 magnum bottle earlier in the morning and I was in there around 2 hours after they opened, I looked at him and said, "Was Eric smiling when he bought it?"

The guy was clearly and completely flabbergasted and mutters, "how could you possibly know that?"

[Eric Ifune]

Both smiling and concerned with a furrowed brow. Smiling because I finally had a Madeira magnum, concerned because I was already thinking about how to get it home with the rest of my stash.
My total take home:
10 bottles of Madeira, one magnum of Madeira, five bottles of Port, two half bottles of Port, one magnum of Port, two bottles of Setubal. Got lucky with the customs guy.

[Eric Menchen]

I have always declared my over the duty free limit imports, but never had an agent want to do the paperwork for the tax. But I've never had a haul like Eric's there.

[Reidar Andersen]

Great catch, Eric, now I regret I did not buy it in Dec....
Maybe I was to stingy, I calculated that a magnum was more expensive than two 750 ml...
And also I have one already..
Roy, please give a long advance notice next time in Funchal , I will pop down a couple of days to see you guys..

[Roy Hersh]

Announcing the dates in November 2011 wasn't enough advanced notice for you?

[Ray Barnes]

I hope there's no customs officers reading and taking notes here... nice haul, indeed!

[Reidar Andersen]

He, he Roy , but the dates were impossible due to work... Strange this, but I already know all the dates in 2013 I have to be home, but lots of sparetime,