For The Love Of Port

Newbie here who just discovered this treasure trove on the web yesterday and am happy to be here! I've been on enough boards to know that I should start with the obligatory introduction post, which I did yesterday. Roy and Andy suggested that I post this as a thread to see if anyone can give me any information.

I have a 1917 vintage bottle of Old Castle Old Tawny produced by C. da Silva. It may not be worth much--if anything--nor may it even be drinkable at this point. I purchased it at a local flea market from a friend who got it at an estate sale. It was originally purchased as a wedding gift and supposedly stored in a "cellar"--which around here in tornado alley probably means a 'fraidy hole. It appears to still be well sealed, but who knows if any air has gotten in over the years. I would appreciate it if anyone can tell me anything about it.

Thanks in advance!

Brad,
Thanks for posting about this old Port. I can't say I am familiar with that particular Tawny. But allow me to ask a few questions that may help.

-WHat is the fill level (into the neck, below the neck, etc)
-any signs of prior leakage

Also if you can post a picture of the bottle as that often helps us in identifying things.

thanks

Hi Andy,

Here are a few quick pics that I snapped of the bottle. I would assume that this was premium port if it was $2.65 a bottle in the 1920's--???

The level is down to on the curve of the shoulder and as the top shows, there has unfortunately been some leakage at some point along the way. So would this mean that it's not drinkable?

I appreciate any information that anyone may be able to offer and again, thanks in advance.

Brad

Brad,

No, just because there was leakage in the past, does not mean that your C. da Silva Colheita from 1917 is undrinkable.

The good news for you is that most of the old Colheitas or Tawny Ports from a single vintage like your bottle, have had some exposure to oxygen in cask. But hopefully, although the fill level (known as ullage) which has shown signs of continued oxidation due to the failure of the cork beneath the capsule.

So you still have a decent chance of having a very positive experience. I've had bottles from this producer that ranged between 1905 to 1926 that were still outstanding, although I was lucky in that there was no previous signs of seepage.

What I strongly urge you to do, is open this on a day (this winter for sure, as it will never be better than it will be tomorrow) when you may enjoy something amazing, yet are willing to NOT be too disappointed if this has been oxidized to the point where it has either madeirized, or lost any excitement that it might once have possessed. It is a gamble best taken sooner rather than later.

Good luck!

Your bottle looke familar from something... Couldn't put my finger on it...



I hope your bottle fairs better than this one did

Thanks for the input and advice. Sounds like I need to invite one of my cigar-smoking buddies over to share the experience with. I just scored a few pre-embargo sticks from the 1950's that might pair nicely with this--hopefully anyway.

I'll be sure to let you all know when I do crack it open, but please don't expect a review anything along the lines of WS or a RP . . .

Brad A. wrote:I just scored a few pre-embargo sticks from the 1950's that might pair nicely with this--hopefully anyway.

I am big cigar fan. Which ones did you get? Whole cabinets or just loose cigars? I had several pre-embargo and pre-revolution cab's and dress boxes I sold last year.

I only picked up a 5'er of some 1950's Hoyo de Monterrey (EMS) Seleccion Superba de JJ No. 6. They're my first endeavor into this realm of the cigar world and given what I paid for them I should probably focus on starting a port collection instead . . . .

Brad A. wrote:I only picked up a 5'er of some 1950's Hoyo de Monterrey (EMS) Seleccion Superba de JJ No. 6. They're my first endeavor into this realm of the cigar world and given what I paid for them I should probably focus on starting a port collection instead . . . .

Typically, collectors look down at EMS, but I think that is nickel and dime the seller as they smoked just as nice as the other wrappers. Have you smoked any cigars from that era before? They are usually delicate and can be papery tasting. My girlfriend says "less stinky". Often they can taste "expired" depending on how they were stored.

You'll have a good time with them I am sure!

I'd imagine each cigar could be nice vintage bottle. I sold some of the cigars for over $150+ a piece... We had some nice Don Candidos, PL's with Candela wrappers, Dunhill B's which appeared to be Monte 2's in a 50 dress box!

There should be a thread about them on this site as I offered them on FTLOP at the time.

We had some nice Don Candidos, PL's with Candela wrappers, Dunhill B's which appeared to be Monte 2's in a 50 dress box!

Wow!! Now that's some major-league stuff that dreams are made of!!