| Pronouns | She/Her |
| Inactive | https://twitter.com/ZenDadaist |
So we wind up the Quevedo port Advent calendar of 2024 with the second bottle of the 1997 Colheita Port.
Not a bad 'un to finish on.
So overall, this was a very tasty and laid-back sort of Advent Calendar. The gin ones I usually get are busier, and come with accompanying vids or cocktail recipes. This one was plain, simple and tasty. There weren't any that K or I disliked. Would recommend.
So I went to see the new production of Starlight Express this evening.
I saw the original when I was little and loved it. Knew all the songs off by heart and it was one of the reasons I got big into quad skating then rollerblading and ice skating. Hadn't seen or heard it in decades, and had avoided the marketing for the new version so I was going in free from expectations.
Well, you know, except for hoping it would be epically awesome with flamboyant costumes and that they'd keep at least some of the original songs.
I wasn't disappointed. It was indeed very epically awesome and the costumes were most flamboyant. Many of the songs stayed true to the original, and many others were revamped sometimes switching genres. There were new songs entirely as well, freshening things up a bit. It wasn't just an 80s do-over. Some of the more minor background carriages were given more to do, and there were even a couple of new ones. The story is largely the same with some tweaks to the plot (such as it is) and the characters. I have a suspicion the changes will have annoyed all of the right people (racists, sexists, queerphobes and oil execs).
I was lucky enough to be literal front row, with the "track" going all around. I swear I had the best seat in the house! Hopefully my singing along wasn't too distracting (and I did shut up during the quieter moments).
If you liked the original, you'll like this version (unless you don't like any form of change). If you never saw the original, you'll probably still reallly enjoy it (unless you hate fun).
Wouldn't mind seeing it again in the future some time. Hopefully it has a nice long run - the auditorium seemed packed which is a good sign.
It's not If but When.
In which there is a new new Port and new old Port.
Day 16 has a -Special- Reserve Tawny Port. Not just any old Reserve, oh no. It smells very sweet indeed.
Day 17 is the second Reserve Ruby, the first of which popped up only a couple of days ago.
The Special has a great deal of depth of flavour. It lets you know that it's here for serious business.
I've decided that saving up 2 days' worth works out better when sharing, so I'll keep to the opening daily but consuming every other day.
This time we have 2 new offerings:
Day 14 is a 30-year-aged Tawny Port, which promises plenty of goodness! Cracking it open, there's a very heady aroma to it, and the flavour is exactly the same. Very enjoyable!
Day 15 is a Reserve Ruby, which has me intrigued. It's darker than the Tawny, and has a completely different scent to it (or any of the other Ports in this calender so far). The flavour is much closer to a very rich red wine. It's not bad but I prefer the 30 year Tawny.
Had a very busy couple of days, so whilst I did pop open day 10 on day 10, I left sipping it until today.
Day 10 is a Rosé Port. Pale and very pink. The aroma leaps out of the glass in a way none of the others have so far. Deep and also a little sharp.
The flavour is closer to the White Ports than I expected, though with the edges very much smoothed off.
Day 11 was the second Reserve Laguna and was unsurprisingly the same as the first one.
Busy day work barely a moment to chill means a late opening of the Advent Calendar.
Today, it has produced a pale Reserve Laguna; not quite as light as the White ports.
The aroma is also somewhat sweeter than the White ports, and the flavour is definitely more honey. It has a round richness to it that I quite like.
Another new offering today: a 1997 Colheita Port. Nearly 30 years aged! That's quite the expectation that's been set for it.
It doesn't seem to be quite as dark as the other non-White Ports. It's reminiscent of the Tawny, in fact.
The aroma is also very Tawny. As is the flavour. Well then! I quite like the tail kick it brings.
EDIT: For some reason this wouldn't post last night, hence this morning. Not sure why.
Alas, we are down to only having 1 little bottle an evening now. Perhaps for the best given all the other seasonal drinks we have planned...
Day 7 is a 2017 late bottled vintage, apparently. Dark in the bottle and the glass, the aroma is quite busy in the nose - in a pleasant manner. The flavour is a little lighter than I was expecting it to be. It's still quite nice though.
Today, we have a battle of the Reds: Day 2's 10 year aged standard versus today's Ruby.
They're the same colour in the bottle, and also once poured into glasses.
The Ruby smells richer where the 10 year smells deeper. Both good aromas.
The 10 year is a deeper denser flavour as well, but I think overall I prefer the sweet richness of the flavours in the Ruby.
It's time to begin tasting as well as opening!
Today is a Tawny Port, and it makes me wonder if there's a 10 year Tawny waiting to be pulled out later on.
Upon cracking it open, it's the expected colour of a Tawny Port and gives off a deep, rich spiced scent. It's smooth on the tongue; sweet and with a kick. Very festive.
Now back to the White Port from Day 1, which isn't as pale as I thought it would be.
The smell is sharper than I've experienced before; hints of a sweet white wine. Upon sipping, that impression doesn't recede. I like it for the departure from the usual Port flavours.