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On Tuesday 14th May 2024, as arranged by Martin C., at the Boot & Flogger, some of the obvious suspects tasted a vertical of Graham.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Tasting notes:
  • 1942 Graham;
  • 1945 Graham;
  • 1948 Graham;
  • 1955 Graham;
  • 1960 Graham;
  • 1963 Graham;
  • 1966 Graham;
  • 1970 Graham;
  • 1975 Graham;
  • 1977 Graham;
  • 1980 Graham;
  • 1983 Graham;
  • 1985 Graham;
  • 1991 Graham;
  • 1994 Graham;
  • 1997 Graham;
  • 2000 Graham;
  • 2003 Graham;
• The placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

Markedly paler than the 1966. Hint of vanish on the nose. The fruit's all present and correct, though.

G70: opened the previous day, decanted 08:00. Not a real G70: soft, light, thin, brown sugar. Sweetness remains.

Graham 1970, bottled in Oporto. More evolved in appearance than the 1966, more lightly pigmented despite being a similar tone in colour; 30% opaque. Magnificent on the nose, spiced baked apples combining sweetness and fruit with a dusting of spices. Very expressive. The mature fruit shines on the palate, spiced and poised with layer after layer of flavour. Bright, dancing and so elegant - full of life before the spiced fruit finish takes over. Just delicious! 94/100. Opened to Audouze the evening before the tasting, double decanted at 08.00, poured at 18.00 and tasted at 18.25.

G70. Very light garnet, some tawny notes. That can't be right. 1st red flag. Nose is faintly stinky but there is decent fruit behind it. 2nd red flag. But... the palate is gorgeous and full of layers of ripe red and purple fruits along with some faint baking spices. It drinks very nicely, but is clearly not right. 92 points. (It should be 95+)

30% opacity, mature red-orange. Caramels on the nose. Soft entry, cherries, caramels, bitterness in the finish. Not such a shining example of what G70 can be.