Lots of new faces ... please introduce yourself

[Miguel Simoes]

May I ask what you smoked when you got sick?

Sadly I can't recall. It was Jul 4th 2010 and I had it along w scotch. I was super tired too, so that prob didn't help... My friends who had the same seemed to enjoy it.

Either way, that was just the culmination of my cigar experiences. Never really got much out of it

Perhaps next time I can enlist your help, as I would likely pair it w Port rather than scotch. Do you find that there are particular types of cigars that pairs especially well w certain ports? Maybe worth starting a thread on that. Believe we will all learn much from your experience!

[Eric C]

Miguel, I don´t think Ben can be that helpful, as he´s a kind of freak of CC (Cuban Cigars). As far as I know, you guys in the US of A are still boycotting Cuba. Must be very difficult and maybe illegal to have cuban cigars in the US?

[Michael T]

while I don't think I have the time or energy to get involved in the same way regarding port as with CCs(Cuban cigars) I do want to learn more and get some input from others with knowledge.

And we'll all profit from your knowledge of the cigar world. I certainly need some help. Last time I smoked a cigar I ended up throwing up

I read recently that you do not inhale when you smoke cigars, is that right?

[BEN BBB]

while I don't think I have the time or energy to get involved in the same way regarding port as with CCs(Cuban cigars) I do want to learn more and get some input from others with knowledge.

And we'll all profit from your knowledge of the cigar world. I certainly need some help. Last time I smoked a cigar I ended up throwing up

I read recently that you do not inhale when you smoke cigars, is that right?

True, let the smoke role around your mouth and then blow it out. I was just thinking if you got sick most likely you either inhaled or smoked to fast.

[Andy Velebil]

Ben,

Thank you for the introduction and a big to the Forum.

Feel free to talk all you want about cigars in the "Other Discussion" section of the Forum. As I have the ocassional cigar once in a great while I could stand to learn a thing or three as well

[BEN BBB]

Sry, didnt mean to go off topic. Will start a thread there.

[Roy Hersh]

Ben,

Glad you did take the time to stop by here and post. Nice to see you here and I hope you will continue to join our discussions on Port and yes, by all means, start a good thread on cigars and Port on the "Other Discussions" area as Andy mentioned. It is a topic that definitely comes up once and awhile.

I have only a half dozen cigars a year, most of which are Cubano. I live close to Vancouver, Canada and they seem to trickle down across the border pretty regularly.

Twice I've gotten sick where I got really dizzy beyond control. Wasn't from inhaling, I think it was from smoking fast and the stength of the tobacco. I now like a bit milder tobacco because of those incidents.

Enjoy your time here!

Roy

[Andrew E Murphy.]

Hi my name is Andrew Murphy and I am from Melbourne Australia, I am new to vintage ports my first bottle of vp was a Taylors 2000 only 3 weeks ago which immediately had me hooked as I had only tried aged tawnys before this point.
I am now trying to cellar as many vp's as possible but seem to be having trouble getting my hands on them as there is a limited selection in the country.
Was told about this site from a wine merchant and am thrilled to read and learn as much as I can about this great drink!!
Thank you FTLOP.
Cheers :)

[Roy Hersh]

Hi Andrew,

We are very pleased to have another Port enthusiast join us from Melbourne. I am going to tell Paul to come say hello and he can be someone you will enjoy drinking with. In 2011, he joined us in Portugal and is a great guy and may live not far from you. Anyway, it is a small world when it comes to people who enjoy Port. They are everywhere.

Your first Vintage Port, while young, is a beautiful representation of what Port is like as a teenager, but the Taylor is more brash than most with powerful tannins that add great lasting power. When you first get to try something with age at some point, you will understand what these Vintage Ports can turn into. I have had LOTS of Australian port wine over the years, tawny in almost every case except with Para Port from 1899. You are lucky to have them readily available to you, while I certainly know that finding older Vintage Ports from Portugal is indeed a true challenge.

Thanks for saying hello and I am sure you will find others come here to say too! Look forward to having you ask questions, no matter how simple they may seem or provide impressions on the Ports you get to taste, or even ask about bottles you are considering purchasing.



Roy

[Paul Fountain]

Welcome Andrew, It's nice to have a fellow Melbournian in the ranks. Being a port lover in Melbourne isn't the easiest thing, but there are places around. I've already pointed you to some of them, but now that I know you are in the same city, there are probably a few more I can point you towards as well.

[Andy Velebil]

Hi Andrew,

to the Forum, it's great to have you. 2000 Taylor's is a beauty, so you started your VP experience off right! Paul is a wealth of knowledge regarding getting Ports in your area and can offer good help as he's already done.

[Andrew E Murphy.]

Thanks Roy and Andy for the nice welcome, and thanks Paul for the great info to start my search,much appreciated.
Today I searched and found some vp's I purchased 3 bottles of Quarles Harris 77 vp,took a gamble and hope its a nice vintage.
Found some Graham's 83,85,91 and 94 plus quite a few more Dow's and Gould Campbell all of the same vintage and earlier,don't know much about them so I will wait for some advice before purchasing anymore.

[Roy Hersh]

Andrew,

Watch out, without really trying has a subliminal way of emptying bank accounts while having the opposite affect on personal wine cellars. Wallet empty, Port collection continuing to grow is just how we roll.

Gould Campbell is one of the truly fine under-priced Vintage Port producers in the marketplace. You won't go wrong with anything they've produced from 1977 to date!

Sadly, they will not be declaring a 2011.

[Eric Menchen]

Found some Graham's 83,85,91 and 94 plus quite a few more Dow's and Gould Campbell all of the same vintage and earlier,don't know much about them so I will wait for some advice before purchasing anymore.

Welcome Andrew!
I am not the biggest Graham's fan compared side-by-side with other labels, but recognize they are a great brand and it is more a matter of my personal preference. Given Graham's, I think both the 83 and 85 are quite good, and if the '83 is cheaper, I would definitely consider it, as I think it can be quite rewarding along with the 1985. I found the '91 to be a bit disappointing in comparison, but must disclaim that that was from a half bottle that seemed overly mature for a 1991. And while the '94 is o.k., there are a lot of other great 1994s out there.

[Bruno P.]

Hi everyone.
My name is Bruno, I am from Portugal, i live in Oporto, beatiful city, with amazing wines, especially port wine.
I am addicted in wines, normally, i have collection, port wineand i work with wines.
I hope help some question and learn with other questions.
Bruno

[Andy Velebil]

Hi Bruno,

Thank you for the introduction, it's very nice to have you with us.

[Bruno P.]

Hi Bruno,

Thank you for the introduction, it's very nice to have you with us.

Thank you Andy.

[Roy Hersh]

Bruno,

Thanks for the nice introduction. By the way, what do you do, work in a wine shop or in the Port trade?

We appreciate you joining us here and hope you will share your experiences and knowledge with us!

Roy

[Bruno P.]

Bruno,

Thanks for the nice introduction. By the way, what do you do, work in a wine shop or in the Port trade?

We appreciate you joining us here and hope you will share your experiences and knowledge with us!

Roy

Hello Roy.
Thank you. At moment i am working in wine store. but my dreams is working directily in por cellar, "the falgate partnership" company for exemple

[Roy Hersh]

Making that transition from a retail shop directly into the Port trade is not easy in Porto, although it is certainly worth trying. Maybe start as a "guide" and wind up being promoted from there and who knows how far you may go. Good luck!