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1980 Graham (ζ zeta)
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.

G80. Decanted 10 hrs. 70% opacity, brick red, good legs. Nose, I thought maybe a faint hint of VA and struggled to find a scent beyond that. Palate, quite acidic and a dry finish. The worst of the better 5 so to speak. Still drinkable though, no problem there.

G80, ζ, decanted 9½am. All of them were dark-dark-red, 70% opaque. Nose of faint dark plum, and curry powder, and flowers. AHB said that it was, faintly, like γ. Plate showing acidity throughout. Also soft sweetness. but ending weak.

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

Bottle zeta: A touch smelly again, but not to the extent of gamma although the smell manages to mask just about all the scents except for the alcohol. A swirl releases some coriander. Restrained on entry, just a little raspberry jelly. Interestingly, the coriander shows again although I did not notice it on any of the other bottles. The flavours are restrained and subtle, mostly jelly and bubblegum. Pleasant enough and without the context of the other bottles this would have been quite enjoyable. 85/100. Decanted 10½ hours