Is it my imagination that 20 year tawny port has more fruit forward flavors and a huge "nose" and a much longer finish than the more expensive 30 year tawny port? With the 30 year tawny port I pick up hints of leather and not much fruit. Also that long finish that I love doesn't seem to be present in the 30 year tawnt port. What am I missing????
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
Your question brings several thoughts to mind. First, age designations on a Tawny Port refer to an average, so in both cases, younger material is almost always part of the blend. By definition, a 20 Year Tawny will have more evident and more expressive "fruit" aromatics than an older Tawny. A 30 Year will exhibit characteristics derived from long maturation in cask such as leather, spices, dried fruits and roasted nuts. Also, with the passage of time, a Port will develop greater subtlety. Beyond these considerations, each shipper has a signature style, and one producer might opt for a richer, sweeter, fruitier Port while another could lean toward a drier, elegant styling. Last, the distinctions you have found could simply be a matter of quality disparities and, of course, your personal preferences. So, the best approach is to sample the Tawny Ports of several shippers to find the one you prefer.
