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1980 Graham (α alpha)
On Wednesday 2^nd April 2014 six of us gathered in The Bung Hole to taste a six-pack of Graham 1980 (the previous tasting of this shape having tested Taylor 1985).

Links:

• Review of the event as a whole;
• 1980 Graham:
  • G80 (α alpha);
  • G80 (β beta);
  • G80 (γ gamma);
  • G80 (δ delta);
  • G80 (ε epsilon);
  • G80 (ζ zeta);
• 1977 Graham (CPR);
• 1977 Graham (MPM);
• 1965 Graham Malvedos (DRT);
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Planning and arrangements.

I'll get the ball rolling with the notes on this lot.

G80. Decanted 10 hrs. 70% opacity, brick red, good legs. Not a huge amount on the nose for me, some fruit and a hint of caramel/toffee. In the mouth quite thin initially, heat builds through the middle but not to a huge intensity. Little/no tannin, some acidity in the finish. Flavours of dark fruit with caramel for me, feels like more to come from the fruit in the future.

+2 hrs. Coming back to this later, the nose had opened out a lot more, the structure was much more complete and the finish had improved both in length and flavour (more fruit and caramel).

This was my favourite of the six G80, but only by a mere whisker over ε epsilon.

G80, α, decanted 9½am. All of them were dark-dark-red, 70% opaque. Nose of dark plum and mint. Heat throughout, especially at of the tip of the tongue. Dark fruit but heat stringer. Ending sweet and long.

All six bottles of Graham 1980 from this late release case were of a consistent colour. Brick red throughout and around 70% opaque.

Bottle alpha: Gently spicy on the nose, showing some stewed prunes and cinnamon. Warm and sweet in the mouth with initial lovely, sweet red fruit. The mid-palate brings a wonderful black pepper spiciness with very soft tannins giving some gentle structure. Good depth of flavour, medium- to full-bodied. This comes with a lovely gentle aftertaste that is mouthfilling and persistent, full of fruit and licorice root. Lovely port. 88/100. Decanted 9½ hours.