Absente
Type: Green (Verte) More of a Pastis than an Absinthe, particularly because of it’s lack of a specific type of wormwood ( which from a taste standpoint can be a plus for some people) but pleasant enough, and moderately priced.
Much has been written about Absinthe but here is a quick primer to get you started.
Invented in 1792 by Pierre Ordinaire, a French Physician, living in Switzerland who was looking for a herbal mental tonic.
The distinguishing ingredient between most Pastis and Absinthe is the addition of Artemisia absinthium , a plant better known as grand wormwood or in America as European Wormwood, to a Pastis which is distillation/maceration mix of herbs such as fennel, anise, melissa and hyssop among others. Recipes vary by country, manufacturer, and type. One of the many classifications of absinthe is by amount of alcohol or proof: absinthe suisse ,the best grade; alcohol content of 68-72%, demi-fine ,50-68% alcohol or ordinaire , 45-50% . Recently legalized (2007) after a ban in most European countries since the early 20th century it is produced mainly in France, Switzerland, Spain and the Czech Republic with widely variable price and quality.
The two basic types are green (verte) and clear (blanche) Absinthe. The better green Absinthe is gets its color naturally from fresh absinthe (dried absinthe makes for a yellow color) rather than artificial means some of which are rather toxic although to a much lesser degree than around the turn of the century – the toxic additives and their symptoms may have helped get absinthe banned back then. The clear is usually a double distilled Absinthe and is usually Swiss or French in origin.
There is also a much rarer Rouge (red) absinthe that is made by the addition of hibiscus flowers to the herb mix. What you should look for is a balanced, complex, Absinthe that tastes good that you can enjoy. Otherwise what is the point ?
As to serving Absinthe, it is used in a number of cocktails the more popular ones being Sazerac and the Death in The Afternoon (Champagne and Absinthe Cocktail based on the Hemingway novel).
The most popular way of serving it and the most familiar to most is the Absinthe Frappe or Drip which can be an involved procedure if done with all the trimmings or as simple as a Scotch and Soda.
On no account should you ever set fire to it ! This is a stupid and fake ritual created to sell the vastly inferior Hills Absinthe as a novelty sell. It is pointless, dangerous and a waste of good absinthe. It also leads to a lot of broken glassware and your dishwashers will hate you are the burnt sugar is almost impossible to remove from spoons and glassware.
More of a Pastis than an Absinthe, particularly because of it’s lack of a specific type of wormwood ( which from a taste standpoint can be a plus for some people) but pleasant enough, and moderately priced.
Much more a absinthe liqueur than a full on Absinthe.Decent for what it is and cheap enough to serve as a gateway absinthe that can dispense with the sugar cube ritual.
Well made,heavy enough to get confiscated at the airport.
A rare red variation of Absinthe
Outstanding value for the money.
Handmade, mouthblown, absinthe glass replica of one of the more desirable antique glasses
Overall a very nicely done and somewhat understated absinthe of a slightly nontraditional bent.
Guy is an old historical brand and this absinthe is trying to tie into the history with the appearance of the bottle and label.
An excellent choice for both the novice trying an absinthe for the first time or a jaded connoisseur …..
Decently made if not overly exciting. High proof compared to many others for the price
An authentic but very approachable Absinthe.
Designed or conceived as more of a shooter (like Jagermeister) that is sweetened to dispense with the whole spoon ritual and more easily served in a higher volume enviroment.
Hand distilled, labeled and bottled, don’t see that much anymore.
This is a French absinthe from a 19th-century recipe and made in traditional stills using traditional methods.T
A nicely balanced easy to drink Swiss absinthe
If you are into Absinthe (or even Pastis) in a serious way, you need one of these!
Handmade, mouthblown, absinthe glass replica of the glasses usually found in eastern France and the Swiss border (est=east in French).
Very much a love it or hate it proposition.
An absinthe for people who don’t like anise.
A very traditional style absinthe
An interesting Bohemian Absinthe, Almost an Amaro in some ways.
Best there is.
Price is about average but the quality is outstanding.
This is a Swiss absinthe distilled in Val-de-Travers, Switzerland – considered by many to be the birthplace and home of absinthe. François Bezencon is a family distiller who has been in business for about 40 years or so.
One of the best mass produced absinthes out there .
Think of this as a New World Absinthe.
Probably a best buy for quality and price.
One of the best white French absinthes you can find
A delightful but limited edition of a outstanding absinthe.
A great absinthe in a handy pump spray bottle.