This is a Czech Absinth which I know almost nothing about- all the labels are in Czech.
Note: This is a Czech Absinth which I know almost nothing about- all the labels are in Czech.
First Impression: Mint – and some sort of floor polish almost enough to curl your nose hairs, alcohol fumes in background rather than foreground. Disinfectant, plastic esters, mint, with traces of coriander and hyssop.
Appearance: Clear, viridian green color – no way this is anything other than a unnatural hellbroth. On swirling, leaves a thin coat on the glass with micro crenellations and very thin legs developing. Louche is poor to nonexistent compared to a French absinthe.
Taste: Mint wormwood with hyssop, coriander and something that makes my tongue want to shrivel. Bitter, nasty and mint at the same time.
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, turns cloudy, etc.) and the right amount of dilution (to personal taste-variable) is reached.The Czech method is more fraught with danger (especially if you have had a few already) as it involves fire and highly combustible liquids. You put the spoon over an empty glass then place the sugar cube on the spoon, then pour the absinthe over the sugar,soaking it thoroughly and then torch the sugar cube, letting it burn down and caramelize the sugar, you then pour the water over the remains of the sugar cube and stir it in.
Photos of this particular method are available on www.absintheium.com . Caution must be exercised to avoid spilling the flaming liquid or having the glass shatter from the heat. Frankly I find the Czech method showy, dangerous, and tedious, all at once.
Other: Due to the relatively low proof I recommend a 3-1 max dilution (most are 6-1 dilution) – if you must add water.
Bottle: Clear quarries flask glass bottle shape with green and gold labels, green screw cap.
Final Thoughts: Undrinkable and quite possibly toxic.
Website: http://www.absinthefever.com
