Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a heavily acned nose.

[1673		M. Stevenson Norfolk Drollery 96: His face else, which does so with Rubies shine, / A Jeweller’s shop is, and his Nose the sign].
1690		D’Urfey Collin’s Walk canto 2 69: See then the Custard-eating Currs, Set up in Pillories of Furrs, With Saffron Phiz, and Malmsy Nose.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Malmesey-nose a jolly, red Nose.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue (2nd, 3rd edn) n.p.: Malmsey Nose. A red pimpled snout, rich in carbuncles and rubies.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1788].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue [as cit. 1788].
1833		Royal Cornwall Gaz. 28 Dec. 4/3: Says old Sir Simon the King / With his ale dropt hose / And his malmsey nose.
1850		Morn. Post 14 Sept. 3/3: Bardolph and his ‘malmsey nose’.