The Best 50 year-old Tawny?
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Mike J. W.
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The Best 50 year-old Tawny?
Anyone have an opinion on what the best 50 year-old Tawny is? I've read comments that the Graham's is excellent as is the Quinta do Noval. I'm curious who has tasted some and what your opinion is. I've only had the Pocas 50 year-old and that was great both times that I had it.
"I have often thought that the aim of Port is to give you a good and durable hangover, so that during the next day you should be reminded of the splendid occasion the night before." - Hungarian/British journalist & author George Mikes
- Andy Velebil
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Re: The Best 50 year-old Tawny?
I’ve really liked the Quinta das Carvalhas 50 Yr.
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
- Glenn E.
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Re: The Best 50 year-old Tawny?
For me the best 50 Year Old Tawny Port is currently DR.
In my experience, a lot of producers' 50s seem to be out-of-character for their house styles. I.e. the 50 does not seem like it fits into the 10-20-30-40 progression. Noval is an example of that - their 50 is (at least to me) dramatically more acidic than their 20 and 40. Because of that, I like their 40 better than their 50.
Of course if you like extra-acidic Ports, you're going to love a lot of these 50s that I don't really enjoy.
In my experience, a lot of producers' 50s seem to be out-of-character for their house styles. I.e. the 50 does not seem like it fits into the 10-20-30-40 progression. Noval is an example of that - their 50 is (at least to me) dramatically more acidic than their 20 and 40. Because of that, I like their 40 better than their 50.
Of course if you like extra-acidic Ports, you're going to love a lot of these 50s that I don't really enjoy.
Glenn Elliott
- Eric Ifune
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Re: The Best 50 year-old Tawny?
Grahams is excellent. Haven't had the Noval yet.
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Mike J. W.
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Re: The Best 50 year-old Tawny?
I've heard Graham's is very, very good, but it is obscenely priced. I think it's gouging.
"I have often thought that the aim of Port is to give you a good and durable hangover, so that during the next day you should be reminded of the splendid occasion the night before." - Hungarian/British journalist & author George Mikes
- Glenn E.
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Re: The Best 50 year-old Tawny?
It is very good, but at least for me it isn't in the running for the "best" 50 Year Old Tawny Port.Mike J. W. wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2026 7:14 pmI've heard Graham's is very, very good, but it is obscenely priced. I think it's gouging.
And yes, their prices are extremely high compared to the rest of the market. It's possible that they're just trying to manage their stocks in order to be able to keep making this quality level of Tawny Port, though. Kopke has also always been priced higher than others, and it has served them very well over the decades.
Glenn Elliott
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Mike J. W.
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Re: The Best 50 year-old Tawny?
That's a fair point about Graham's, but I still hate the pricing. Strangely enough, I was able to purchase the Kopke 50 year-old for under $230.Glenn E. wrote: ↑Thu Apr 23, 2026 8:50 amIt is very good, but at least for me it isn't in the running for the "best" 50 Year Old Tawny Port.Mike J. W. wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2026 7:14 pmI've heard Graham's is very, very good, but it is obscenely priced. I think it's gouging.
And yes, their prices are extremely high compared to the rest of the market. It's possible that they're just trying to manage their stocks in order to be able to keep making this quality level of Tawny Port, though. Kopke has also always been priced higher than others, and it has served them very well over the decades.
"I have often thought that the aim of Port is to give you a good and durable hangover, so that during the next day you should be reminded of the splendid occasion the night before." - Hungarian/British journalist & author George Mikes