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Absinthe - La Fée Parisian Absinthe
France
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La Fée Parisian Absinthe
Importer: MHW, Manhasset New York
PROOF: 136 (68%) Thujone 10mg/1L
TYPE: French, Green (Verte), Mixed and Macerated (?)
AGE: N/A
PRICE: $59.99 750ML
Note: This is a French absinthe from a 19th-century recipe and made in traditional stills using traditional methods.This is part of a portfolio which includes 2 variations of La Fée Bohemian Absinth (made in the Czech Republic in 45 and 70% alcohol), another version of the Parisian Absinthe (in 90 proof/45% alcohol), La Fée X-S Francaise Absinthe, and La Fée X-S Suisse Absinthe.
Appearance: Brilliantly clear, no separation, floaters, pools of oil, etc. Bright hard green tint to it. On swirling, leaves a thin coat on the glass with scalloping edge and very thin legs developing. Louche action is very nice - water precipitates a oil and smoke effect turning into a very nice green opalescent color,quite close to a period absinthe ashtray I have in both hue and gloss.
First Impression: Multilayered: anise, licorice, fennel, wormwood, spicy notes, mint, vanilla, lemon balm. A somewhat spirity alcohol in background. Quite the mix of scents altogether. A rollercoaster ride for your nose!
Taste: Sugared and watered down to the appropriate level (read 4-6 parts water) it settles down into a very drinkable absinthe (think of a good pastis). Nice interplay of all of the above ingredients leading to a complex blend of flavors which seem quite balanced - a difficult trick with a spirit of this complexity. Just the thing for a slightly slower afternoon.
Drinks: The French absinthe ritual involves water fountains, sugar, spoons, and you pour the absinthe in the glass then put the spoon over the glass put a sugar cube on it and drip water from a purpose built fountain over until it louches (opalesces or turns cloudy) and the right amount of dilution (to personal taste-variable) is reached. It also worked well in a Death in the Afternoon, Eliot Spritzer, and a few other drinks we tried.
Bottle: Tall clear glass with rounded shoulders and heavy decanter type bottom to it (makes for a nice presentation and balance). Rather simple paper label with the trademark green eye in a sunburst. Screw cap closure. Our tester sample came as a kit with metal absinthe spoon (with the La Feé trademark sunburst eye printed on it), and a sugar cube!
Final Thoughts: Decently made, nicely complex. A touch minty for our personal taste and the color is a bit too much to be totally natural (but would speak to authenticity for the period). All minor details. Overall, we liked this one. Complex, relatively balanced, easy to drink.
Website: http://www.lafeeabsinthe.com
Quick-loading web page, lots of information and easy ordering.
