COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
Color is a deep peridot green. Quite appealing.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
The addition of ice cold water via dripper brought about a quick forming louche. The trails were quite nice. The color after louche is a milky greenish white. Very nice.

COLOR AFTER WATER 7/10
The color after louche is a milky greenish white. Pretty, but maybe just a tad thin.

AROMA 27/30
The aroma is one of the nicest things about this absinthe. Extremely crisp and clean. Lots of floral notes. The lemon balm comes through quite clearly. The basil adds a nice depth as well.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
Well rounded feel. I think the choice of anise takes away a bit from the thickness though.

TASTE 16/20
The flavor is extremely spicy. It's going to be a dividing factor I think. Those who enjoy unique flavored absinthes like Montmartre will really like this. Others may think its a bit overpowering, but sugaring will help even it out. There's a nice wormwood bitterness that's enhanced by the nettles and tarragon. It's quite intriguing. Although I don't add sugar to my absinthe, I do believe that this one will highly benefit from it.
The finish is a combination of light sweetness from the basil and just a touch of astringence from the wormwood. It's really a great aftertaste, although I'd like it to last a bit longer.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 9/10
Overall, this is a great start for US absinthes. It's certainly setting the bar high for other US based producers. I think the strength of flavors might drive a small few away, but I think it will garner a lot of attention from those with sophisticated palates. Have another? Yes please!

Shabba53 scores St. George Absinthe 83 out of 100

Reviewed by Spoon 12/31/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
Color is a natural looking, clear, amber/olive.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
A thick louche develops very quickly. It was fully opaque at somewhere between (estimated) 0.5 - 1 volumes of water. I penalized it because it was too quick and not as attractive as it could be.

COLOR AFTER WATER 6/10
The color after louche is reminiscent of pond algae. It is rather dull and dirty looking, not at all bright. It sort of makes sense to me, though, because of the organic taste.

AROMA 26/30
The aroma is lovely. Before water, it smells heavily of the unusual coloring herbs, which have a vegetal quality. The alcohol is not at all sharp. After addition of water the smell is very sweet, bright and pleasant. The herbal notes are unfamiliar in an absinthe but very nice.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
Surprisingly creamy for something lacking green anise. The texture is very nice.

TASTE 17/20
Overall I would say it is clean, crisp and refreshing. I didn't add sugar, and I tend to not dilute my drink as much as most people. The alcohol has dissipated and is not at all intrusive. The taste is unusual and very different because of the herbs chosen. Up front, I taste something sweet which is really nice, then comes the thick vegetal taste (I know I am using the word vegetal too much but it seems the most appropriate word.), then a little bite of star anise and finally the pleasant bitterness of the wormwood. The star anise is relatively restrained but does eventually somewhat overwhelm the wormwood after the first 1/4 of the drink. Despite this, I love the taste. It's definitely idiosyncratic but it's a good flavor profile for me. One thing that we both noticed last night, and I am finding tonight also is, this stuff cries out to be drunk with food. For starters, it pairs really well with salami and cheese, and I think it will be nice with lots of other food as well.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 9/10
To me, this stuff is very tasty. I'm sure it won't be to everyone's liking, but I think it's damn good. I can't help but wonder how it would taste with a bunch of green anise substituted for the small amount of star anise; it would probably be amazing. But even with the star anise, of which I am not a fan, I am very much looking forward to the next availability, and I will certainly buy at least two bottles. Drink it!

Spoon scores St. George Absinthe 81 out of 100

Reviewed by Donnie Darko 2/11/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 7/10
Drab olive, no debris.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
Very thick louche, but the "action" part of it consists of a thick white wall gradually rising until the unlouched layer is gone, which happens by 2:1.

COLOR AFTER WATER 8/10
The green becomes brighter once water is added, and is opaque as mud. Holds light fairly well.

AROMA 16/30
Neat, the aroma is oddly reminiscent of moth balls. There is a nutmeg/cinnamon like aroma behind that, not sure what that's from since it contains neither. There are also some candy notes reminiscent of Eichelberger Verte. The upside is the aroma is pretty large, fairly room filling. The downside is the aroma is strangely un-absinthe like.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
Creamy smooth at first with a subtle spicy bite underneath, but then all is penetrated by a greasy smear which I assume is due to the overuse of Star Anise.

TASTE 12/20
It tastes overwhelmingly of Star Anise, and the bubble-gum sweetness imparted by it is cloying. Underneath that are some other unorthodox flavors trying to poke through, and a few reminiscent of Ike Verte do poke through. Wormwood is difficult to detect. And there is that weird moth ball thing in the taste for a split second, though thankfully far less prominent than in the aroma. The Brandy alcohol base could also use another rectification, tastes a tad buttery.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 6/10
It's an interesting beverage, tastes so-so on its own right. But the cloying sweetness, the mothball tinge in the neat aroma, and the fact that it contains very few normal Absinthe tastes relegate this Absinthe to the realm of novelty rather than as a daily drinker you look forward to coming home to. The upside is that it is made competently. There are no evident distillation or coloration flaws, and it does smell very clean, with no hint of tails or empyreuma. St. George clearly could make something that might remind more of us of a great Absinthe, they just chose instead to stray very far off the beaten path with this one. It's worth noting that going off the beaten path is what this distillery does, with mixed results. I look forward to trying more of their work if they ever make an Absinthe other than just this one.

This tastes almost more like some bizarre holiday cordial than the gripping alpine refreshment that normal Absinthe is, maybe that's what attracts some people. It is seemingly popular, so maybe Lance is on to something in regards to American tastes. In regards to mine though, no thanks.

Donnie Darko scores St. George Absinthe Verte 65 out of 100

Reviewed by Jaded Prol 2/11/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
Dark green but flat. Definitely natural but a little heavy.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
Very thick, rapid and dense to opaque due to overuse of star anise.

COLOR AFTER WATER 8/10
Opaque white with green tint. Though I tried it at 3 to1, the opacity remained even at twice the water.

AROMA 15/30
Neat - sweet, with heavy citrus notes, almost camphory. With water, terribly sweet with a chlorophyll sharpness. The Melissa and Basil seem to overpower.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
It is admittedly thick but too thick in a way that coats your mouth and makes your filling rebel.

TASTE 8/20
Very sweet and sharp in an unpleasant in a medicinal way. The Melissa and Basil are overpowering and the later seems misplaced. The lingering flavor is the Basil which leaves me feeling like I ate some pesto. The sweetness of the Badiane and Basil combined with the sharpness of the Melissa are, in my opinion as a cook, an uncomplimentary combination. I could not taste any wormwood. Had the maker left out the basil and instead used that quantity of hyssop along with less Badiane, this might almost be drinkable.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 4/10
As I had stated previously, it saddens me that the first legally produced domestic absinthe of the 21st century had to be such an unpleasant brew, more so because it is my understanding that knowledgeable people like Grim made themselves available to the maker. It takes a skilled distiller and good ingredients to make a good classical absinthe and I believe this maker is a talented distiller, But to makes something original or eclectic that works, it takes a good cook with knowledge of what good absinthe is, what's been done, knowledge of herbal properties and the patience and humility to listen to those more experienced. That apparently is the missing ingredient here.

Jaded Prol scores St. George Absinthe Verte 57 out of 100

Reviewed by OCvertDe 3/20/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 6/10
Clear and bright, amber/gold. This would be acceptable in a vintage absinthe, but I’m not crazy about there being no green to speak of in one so young.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
This is one of the better louching absinthes I’ve had. Oil trails quickly give way to a small wispy cloud that starts in the center of the bottom of the glass, and gradually builds into a fantastic louche with timing you could set a clock by. It happens a little fast even on a slow drip, otherwise I would give it a perfect score.

COLOR AFTER WATER 6/10
I’m no crazier about the color after the water. There’s nice shading and layering of color, but it’s pretty much yellow and just doesn’t look right.

AROMA 24/30
Very strong, herbal and complex. I’m pretty sure most of what I’m smelling is the unique ingredients Lance decided to use, not the herbal essences you would expect to find in absinthe. Not as well balanced as the better Swiss or Pontarliers, but again, I suspect the odd recipe.

MOUTH-FEEL 9/10
Surprisingly smooth for one with such a turbulent aroma. Lightly creamy with a nice bite that is exceptionally well balanced and pleasant.

TASTE 15/20
Wow, this one really pops. Herbal and complex, without being overly medicinal. The taste is crisp and clean, with a nice long finish that makes me want another sip. Very unique and unusual, but it still tastes like absinthe to me and I like it. The second batch is allegedly better, and I can’t wait to try it.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 7/10
I really enjoyed this. I feel it’s well crafted in spite of its faults; and while the flavor is a ways out in left field, I’m still impressed with the first American commercial absinthe. If I’m able when the next batch is finished, I will definitely be getting myself a bottle. I’m sure it isn’t for everyone; the more traditional your tastes are, the less likely you are to like it. As for the imbibing of it though, I for one have no complaints.

PERSONAL NOTES
Based on one 30ml sample mixed 3:1

OCvertDe scores St. George Absinthe (first batch) 75 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 10/10
This absinthe is crystal clear and without any noticeable hue or tint.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
Thick ribbons of herbal oils begin to flutter through the liquid as soon as water hits the surface and opalescent tones are evident even before the addition of two equal parts of the same. A thin but steady stream from the fountain begins an acrobatic tumult of louched life that remains active all the way until the end.

COLOR AFTER WATER 7/10
The fully prepared drink is the perfect soft white of talcum. I've found that while la bleues may benefit from the "color before water" portion of reviews, they often suffer here because the louched liquor, while completely opaque, lacks real nuance of tint, hue or depth. There are no shadows here.

AROMA 24/30
Aroma is one of my favorite aspects of high proof la bleues: the increased alcohol content seems to bring deep, almost fig-like honeyed overtones to the liquor before the louche begins. It isn't as evident here as it could be; a slight alcohol sharpness slices through nearly all but the richest notes.

After louche the scent fills out even more, mostly due to the loss of the sharp hi-proof burn. It's still wonderful.

MOUTH-FEEL 5/10
Sadly, L'originale remains thin across the tonge and fails to fill the sides of the palate and the inside of the cheeks. There is no noticeable numbing of the tongue.

TASTE 14/20
L'originale begins with a not terribly unpleasant pinch of alcohol tang that is followed closely by a gaggle of the usual suspects, with anise noticeably to the rear. The fennel middle transitions smoothly into a pleasant mountain wormwood glide that fades gradually after swallowing. It is delicious, but it could be rounder and stick around for even a few moments more.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 7/10
This is a fine high-proof la bleue that could use a more rounded herb bill to both improve the rather thin mouth-feel and provide an effective foundation for the flavor. Nevertheless, this absinthe remains well worth your money if you enjoy the style.

PERSONAL NOTES
I enjoyed this higher-proof version much more than its less potent sister, which probably says just as much about me as it does about the absinthe.

It would be a crime to fail to mention the fabulous label: the beautiful art nouveu nude model loosely holds both a paintbrush and a feathered quill pen in her drooping hand. If, like me, you keep a collection of long-ago consumed souveniers , this one is a keeper.

Hemingway's Hangover scores La Valote Martin L'originale 72% 75 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 10/10
A stunning golden-amber shade, basically identical to that of the Pernod Fils 1914.

LOUCHE ACTION 10/10
One of the finest louches I've had the delight to visualize…extremely slow-forming clouds that swirl langorously like a snowglobe on quaaludes. The final product is nearly opaque, but with just enough opalescent translucence to be a thing of true beauty.

COLOR AFTER WATER 8/10
As with the PF1914, this is not the most attractive of shades, being a tad more amber-brown, even, but there is still plenty of verdance shining through, and it's attractive.

AROMA 27/30
Incredibly complex blend of anise, fennel, hyssop, melissa, coriander, wormwood, and a few more exotic offerings that are more difficult to pin down, although perhaps cardamom is one of them….the wormwood, in particular, is really a standout). It is the best aroma, bar none, that I have ever detected in a modern absinthe, and only the 1914, Edouard Pernot 65, and Berger put me in mind of this one…the only reason I deducted a point was because I think it could be a bit more room-filling.

MOUTH-FEEL 9/10
Full, and almost creamy, but not really thick, it is probably perfect for the level of herbage used, so I'll call it a conservative 9.

TASTE 20/20
This is, hands down, the tastiest modern commercial absinthe I've sampled, and better than the vast majority of HGs, as well…if someone had sent me a sample, and billed it as pre-ban, I would have no trouble swallowing it (pun intended). The flavor profile is remarkably intense, and yet manages a real refinement at the same time, and despite the apparent melange of herbs, it is impeccably balanced, with a finish that is immensely long, and that leaves you craving another savory sip…as is the case with Berger, this is truly a cigar-lover's absinthe.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 10/10
Simply, a mind-blowing effort, which truly evokes the Nimes style of absinthe, and I believe breaks new ground in commercial offerings.
Profuse thanks go out to Heure Verte, the Craftsmen at Emile Pernot, and LDF for bringing this wondrous libation to fruition!

Absomphe scores Belle Amie 94 out of 100

Reviewed by Donnie Darko 12/3/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
Golden greenish amber, reminiscent of vintage. No sediment, though it appears it may have been slightly over-coloured

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
Clouds up fairly well with a slow iced water fountain drip. Nothing mind blowing but to quote Larry the Cable Guy, it "gits her dun"… almost. Two points deducted for not being thicker.

COLOR AFTER WATER 7/10
Muddy green-amber. Looks vegetal, but holds light fairly well. It's a bit murky, and not opaque enough, reminiscent of Verte De Fougerolles. As Belles go, it's above average in attractiveness, but some makeup would probably help.

AROMA 28/30
This is the foundation of this absinthe. The aroma is very distinctive, and genuinely is reminiscent of vintage absinthe. Maybe it has to do with the age, maybe it has to do with the Hyssop, I have no idea, but if I were blindfolded and it were slipped under my nose I might think this was a much older absinthe. Still not as room filling as your typical vintage glass, but there's this soft flowery musk to it that is a rare find among contemporary absinthes, and is very seductive.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
A little rough at first, maybe due to being 72% or maybe due to an ingredient, but it softens substantially after that and has an evaporating dry feel which is really lovely. Not as creamy as the best, but still goes down smoothly and is very drinkable.

TASTE 17/20
It tastes good; earthy, rooty, smooth and herbal. The herbs used all seem to be of good quality and in excellent balance with one another, creating a pleasant seamless whole. The aftertaste is also fantastic and nicely balanced. The only problem is it's all a tad light. I don't need my absinthes to be a concentrated syrup, but because the tastes in it are so good, I'd like them to be more assertive than they currently are. This could be a meaty absinthe, but right now it's more on the delicate side, but then again "Belle Amie" refers to a close female friend, so perhaps this Absinthe is intended to be feminine. The other criticism is I think it tastes just slightly over-coloured, though if it's the recipe I suspect it is, that one has more colouring herbs than usual so maybe that's the natural result.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 9/10
This is a harmonious absinthe with a great aroma, where its only real flaw is the flavours that are there need to be more "there". The density of the louche needs some help too, but it's on the right track. I look forward to trying future distillations of Belle Amie.

PERSONAL NOTES
I love both the front and back labeling, which are attractive and elegant. Rather than trying to copy vintage ancestors, they've come up with something that would fit the Belle Epoque nicely but still looks wholly original.

Donnie Darko scores Belle Amie 85 out of 100

Reviewed by Hemingway's Hangover 12/5/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
Absinthe the color of a tiger's eye. Belle Amie is a rich golden amber that fades slightly to green when spread thin before light. The hue seems as natural as fading leaves.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
At 1:1 oils begin to dance; they grow clouded and more verte with another measure of water. Just beyond that dose the louche thickens well but doesn't hit that roiling, complex and beautiful peak I've come to adore when preparing artisinal absinthe.

COLOR AFTER WATER 7/10
Although still tantalizing, this fairie is a bit on the thin side. The shade washes into a nice amber-yellow when held to the light.

AROMA 26/30
Before water it's fine but not as deep as I would like. Once the louche begins Belle Amie's scent begins to waft across the room and it is just as the rich color of the liquor before water should smell: earthy and well spiced.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
Belle Amie plays nice and loses a bit here; although it coats and even faintly numbs the tongue, it lacks strength. A bit more thickness would work very, very well with its flavor.

TASTE 19/20
This is an absinthe with a long, languorous and delightful flavor. The initial anise hit fades quickly into an explosion of mountain herbs that dancingly transmutes into a wonderful, bitter wormwood kiss. This absinthe awakens and comes alive as it echoes in you.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
I find myself torn: I adore the color of this liquor before water is added; I am sure that any attempt on the part of the distiller to improve the louche will damage that amazing tree-sap amber hue. No matter what the outcome to that question, the Belle Amie is an excellent addition to the ever growing stock of outstanding artisinal creations.

PERSONAL NOTES
I wish the evaluation system included points for presentation. The waxed cork and beautiful labels (the black cat and parrot locked in combat on the reverse is a fine addition) add much to this absinthe's appeal.

Hemingway's Hangover scores Belle Amie 83 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
1797 is exceptionally bright and clear and a light-green that looks more yellow than green at particular angles. This is certainly a natural-colored absinthe without any sediment.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
As ice water drips from a fountain, the louche is slow to evolve. Initially the union yields an oil-like effect, but eventually the opaline takes. Overall, this is not spectacular louche.

COLOR AFTER WATER 9/10
1797 is light, translucent and more straw-colored than green, yet the lightest jade tones are there. This is a very natural-looking absinthe that stands apart from others in it's uniqueness.

AROMA 27/30
Before the addition of water, 1797 has a mysterious aroma that's alcoholic and medicinal. The scent is very potion-like. After the addition of water we have a much nicer bouquet of wormwood, fresh anise, with hints of coriander (although I am not sure if coriander was an ingredient). What an amazing transition from pungent to pleasant!

MOUTH-FEEL 10/10
1797 yields a nice, warm mouth-feel that is exceptionally smooth, sweet, and delicious at 3 to 1!

TASTE 20/20
It doesn't get much better than this! Roquette 1797 is incredibly well-balanced and smooth at 150 proof. The forefront is bitter-sweet maintaining a delicate, spicy finish that is second to none placing this fine opaline in a class of itself. This absinthe is very fresh, delicious, and fulfilling.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 10/10
This is a timeless absinthe that is as delicious as it is refreshing. One finds it hard to succumb to just one glass as the senses heighten half-way through the first. What a success! I am grateful to our comrades David and Peter who have recreated a true masterpiece. If this is what Archive Spirits has to offer in future productions, then modern, absinthe distillers have their work cut out for them. Roquette 1797 sets a new standard in absinthe distillation. Finally, the bottle shape and wax seal complete the package and perfect the aesthetic of this fine product.

C.F. Blok-Andersen scores Absinthe Roquette 1797 92 out of 100

Reviewed by Absomphe 11/21/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
A really appetizing bright, and vivid green which is absolutely natural looking.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
Initially, I thought there was no way that this absinthe could rate high in this category, as it seemed to take an eternity for the louche to begin to form. However, after a patiently slow drip of about ten minutes duration, I was rewarded with a much thicker louche than I could have imagined, and the slow unfolding that I observed was worth the price of admission.

COLOR AFTER WATER 9/10
Very appetizing pale minty green.

AROMA 28/30
Positively room-filling, and incredibly appetizing perfumy melange of spices…it is even more difficult to pick out the individual herbs here than it was in the case of Doubs Mystique. The overall aromatic profile definitely leans toward the vegetal, and slightly medicinal, but I mean this in the best possible way. This is one medicine I would have looked forward to taking BIG TIME during the late 18th century. I won't even hazard a guess as to what the pre-commercialization herbs are, but they certainly are intriguing, and ingratiating on the olfactories.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
This is thicker (almost bordering on creamy) than I would have expected, and certainly ample enough to support all the spiciness that suffuses this absinthe.

TASTE 18/20
A major improvement on the original 1797 (which was quite tasty) this version obviously benefits from longer aging, and some really postive tweaking. It is still quite eccentric, and certainly won't appeal to everyone, but I find it to be beautifully crafted, and incredibly appetizing. The rough edges of the original have been delightfully smoothed over (there is no metallic, or burnt component, whatsoever, and the balance is remarkable for such a flavor-packed herbal dynamo).

OVERALL IMPRESSION 9/10
Kudos to Oxy, and Peter for a beautiful imbibing experience!

Absomphe scores Roquette 1797 89 out of 100

Reviewed by Grim 12/20/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 6/10
Not consistent with a scented spirit that is further aromatized by the coloring step. More of a green tinge than the tourmaline alluded to by sources of the preban era. On par with the depth of discoloration that the tails of a distillation with Pontarlier A.a. provides.

LOUCHE ACTION 6/10
Without density and therefore it will not be fully be realized until at or beyond a 3:1. Tasted blindly, without being prompted that this is the replication of a medicamen more than a beverage, one might say the louche is disappointing. This absinthe is more unctuous than milky; akin, more, to the front-end of the cœur in an absinthe distillation than the whole shebang.

COLOR AFTER WATER 5/10
At a 3:1, the color is hardly existent for the fact that the troublement is so weak. This absinthe does not whiten, it refracts light in hazes. No offense, like bath-water… so glints of color are sparse and indefinite. Maybe I don't see as well as Absomphe.

AROMA 18/30
There is no fruity anise nose, or dominant wormwood aroma, the scent is characteristic of all the absinthes distilled at the Pernot Distillery (a big flaw in l'Artisanale, that mellows but never completely disappears). Dripping a few drops on the back of a spoon, and paying close attention, I don't smell empyreuma, or even an excessive tinge of queue. The scent is, however, muted, dumb, un-inviting. More salty and low-toned than floral and herbaceous.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
Tastes as though anise dominated the macerate but fell short of the receiver. Somewhat cool, but no more dense or coating than a vodka (and you can sense the base in the finish at a 3:1).

TASTE 16/20
The dryness of this absinthe would be corrected with more essential oil from the anise/fennel. Not vegetal, completely, but certainly toughened by root-herb and/or A.a..

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
This is absinthe could be much more, and it wouldn't take much. Nothing is aggressively disharmonious. I suggest that anyone tasting this absinthe not make the mistake of associating its weakness, for subtlety. Complexity is not a forward profile of the most volatile part of the distillate...

Grim scores Roquette 1797 66 out of 100

Reviewed by jmark 1/10/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
Paler than most, though natural looking. Pretty balance of green & yellow, maybe a tad towards the yellow. Clear.

LOUCHE ACTION 6/10
Mid-rate drip from a see-saw brouilleur. Very slow louche, no drama, just a slow, general opacification. I found that a slow drip is key to getting any louche at all.

COLOR AFTER WATER 8/10
I give it a nudge, as it eventually achieved full opacity, though never looked what I would call "milky." Pale, yellowgreen and watery.

AROMA 28/30
Before water wasn't too much of a treat, though not bad. Alcohol was strong and the other herbs seemed balanced enough to not stand in front of each other. A nice mix.

After water…wow! Full bloom of wormwood I could smell from feet away. Herb, grass, very light, no trace of funk. Great promise in this aroma.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
Seems caught somewhere between the oiliness of a macerate and the creaminess one should expect. Not unpleasant in any way, but simultaneously round and watery.

TASTE 16/20
A lot to speak for it: lots of wormwood without being the full artemisia-bomb that always turns me off. Herbs seem obviously of a high quality and besides the step forward of the wormwood, all the rest seem nicely balanced. I like the anise in the mix rather than up front the way this is, BUT…this is too sweet for me. Almost tastes pre-sugared.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 7/10
Louche, mouth-feel and taste are the hat-trick for me, and this doesn't really do it in those arenas. I like it fine, it will be a nice flavor to mix up the taste buds from all the others. It is refreshing, but, as said above, a bit too sweet, thin and pale to rise to my favorites.

jmark scores Roquette 1797 80 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 10/10
Really nice lemony olive tint. Clear. Different from other perfect absinthe colours, but still flawless.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
A very slow iced water drip brings up clouding from the bottom, though the cloud is not thick or dramatic.

COLOR AFTER WATER 9/10
Cloudy limey yellow. An inserted chopstick is not entirely obscured as in absinthes with the thickest louches, so as a result it doesn't hold the light that well, but it still has a very beautiful green colour when fully louched.

AROMA 27/30
Neat, there is that familiar Pontarlier wormwood mint/musk, backed up by some alcohol heat. Louched, that fantastic wormwood really blossoms. Not room filling (it would need more anise to push it that far) but you'll notice it a few feet from the glass. Clean, without any hint of process problems.

MOUTH-FEEL 6/10
More tonic than smooth, there is a spicy kick that may either be from alcohol or from an ingredient. Once one gets over the initial bite, there is a luxurious velvety feel that eventually overtakes the abrasiveness.

TASTE 16/20
Wormwood galore. For anyone who liked L'Artisinale, this is a welcome reminder of that absinthe and its wormwood kick, though this lacks the creamy fennel component. There are also some lemony tones along with some other verdant herbal tastes that are impossible to put my finger on, but are reminiscent of Eichelberger Verte. The wormwood dominates them all, however. There is a bitter medicinal tonic quality to it, but thanks to that wormwood, it's not off-putting and surprisingly drinkable, though it might benefit from a sugar cube.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
If you like wormwood, you'll like this Absinthe. The emphasis is on raw verdant herbal power as opposed to creamy smoothness, and is a pleasant alternative to absinthes that overly emphasize Anise. This wouldn't be a daily drinker for me, but it nonetheless shows off stellar wormwood better than wormwood found in most other absinthes. While not wholly balanced, it does balance all the other herbs that are not wormwood nicely. If you like Ike Verte then you'll like Doubs Mystique. It needs help in the mouth-feel and louche departments, but otherwise is a high quality absinthe.

PERSONAL NOTES
The only thing it has in common with its predecessor Doubs is the shape of the bottle and the name.

Donnie Darko scores Doubs Mystique 84 out of 100

Reviewed by C.F. Blok-Andersen 11/17/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
Mystique is a very natural-looking absinthe that is a subtle, soft gold color with light-green hues. Mystique is crystal clear with zero sediment.

LOUCHE ACTION 9/10
The transformation is slow and entrancing with a nice clouded opal base and thin clear surface. The louche looks delicious!

COLOR AFTER WATER 10/10
This is one of the nicest colors I have seen in a modern absinthe. The color after water is entirely natural-looking with green and yellow hues. The opaline is rich and not translucent. What a nice color!!!

AROMA 28/30
Wow! Both before and after water this is a beautiful smelling absinthe that is balanced, floral, and as fresh as the spring air! What an aroma!

MOUTH-FEEL 9/10
This mouth-feel is think with spice and tang. The feel of mystique is fresh and unique.

TASTE 18/20
Mystique is delicious and fresh, with initial notes of wormwood and spice followed by a back-end of balanced anise and fennel. This absinthe is not an anise bomb. For those that want to taste delicious, balanced wormwood notes, then try this fine liqueur.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 6/10
Overall, this is a superb, complex absinthe with quite the herb bill. Mystique is refreshing and extremely well-balanced. However, neither the shape of the bottle nor the twist cap are as elegant as I would expect from such a high-quality marque. My gut tells me that both aspects may change in future productions. I realize that the guidelines focus more on the character of the spirit itself, but I find the complete aesthetic important when appraising an absinthe.

C.F. Blok-Andersen scores Doubs Mystique 89 out of 100

Reviewed by Absomphe 11/21/07

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
Very nice medium peridot green with slight hints of yellow.

LOUCHE ACTION 9/10
Slow and steady with swirlig trails that are lovely to behold, but could be just a little thicker.

COLOR AFTER WATER 8/10
Light minty green with whitish tones. It's a very appealing shade, but slightly on the pale side, like a verte/blanche half 'n half.

AROMA 28/30
Minty, and very floral, redolent with that wonderful Pontarlier wormwood, but short of room-filling, or I would have tacked on a point.

MOUTHFEEL 9/10
Nicely firm, but not creamy, very much in keeping with the refreshing quality of this absinthe.

TASTE 18/20
Extremely harmonious in flavor, only the fragrant and floral wormwood really stands out in this beautifully crafted creation, and it makes the whole experience, carrying into a very long, and sprightly finish. There is detectable anise, and fennel (which serves as a bridge to that killer wormwood), but they are clearly the ancillary players whose ultimate mission is to showcase that herb that absinthe is named for.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 9/10
Doubs Mystique is a wonderfully refreshing absinthe, and a most successful effort obviously aimed at the sophistacated modern palate, and brilliant at featuring its shining star, Pontarlier wormwood. Although the louche is not quite as creamy, it definitely reminds me of L'Artisinale in some aspects (not quite as fennel forward, or creamy in texture, but a little smoother, and also wonderfully Pontarlier wormwood-forward.
What an amazing transformation from its earlier namesake!

Absomphe scores Doubs Mystique 90 out of 100

Reviewed by Chris 12/18/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
Pretty, natural light shade of green; very clear and bright.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
A little slow to start; nice pretty trails with the first few drops of water but nothing spectacular.

COLOR AFTER WATER 7/10
Pale lime green, more on the opalescent side than opaque; not as thick as I would have hoped.

AROMA 18/30
Before the addition of water the Mystique smells of wormwood and anise combined with an off putting muskiness. After water the scent is much the same, more floral but the muskiness is magnified.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
Decent; not mouth coating but not overly thin.

TASTE 15/20
Spicy with a nice balance of bitter and sweet (this definitely does not need sugar). There is an odd pine-like taste that is present and which lingers for some time.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 7/10
A decently made absinthe but not one I would consider "ultra-premium".

Chris scores Doubs Mystique 71 out of 100

Reviewed by jmark 1/10/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 10/10
Beautiful tone of peridot green. Bright, clear, natural.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
Nothing to write home about. Like the Roquette 1797, a slow clouding, but no stage show on this one.

COLOR AFTER WATER 7/10
Developed a thicker opacity than expected from the lethargic louche. Color is well-balanced but I'd like to see it thicker.

AROMA 22/30
Before: Well-balanced, light, clean, not too much alcohol. Slight wormwood advantage, but well apportioned. After water: No aroma traveling from the glass, the anise steps forward a bit. Nothing unpleasant, just not a whole lot to mention.

MOUTH-FEEL 9/10
I seem to be alone in finding this a very creamy mouth-feel. Much, much creamier than expected. Round, coating, not oily. Very, very nice.

TASTE 18/20
Very interesting absinthe. Light, refreshing, a lot of complex interplay between all the herbs. Very, very fresh tasting. I wish for more of a bitter linger on the tongue. This is easily the lightest flavor profile I've tasted with this much going on under the surface. Most of the really complex absinthes are also less refreshing.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
I think the bottle is crass, but I would drink this absinthe regularly. Absent a little more bitterness (a plus in my book), I would compare it favorably to the Serpis 65, which isn't one of the very finest brews, but I like it a lot.

jmark scores Doubs Mystique 81 out of 100

Reviewed by Wilson 2/14/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
Like looking through a peridot stone. Crystal clear. I can not fault it at all.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
Cool looking contrails dancing in my glass and then starting to cloud hypnotically, slowly from bottom to top. A clear green layer on top till about 1:2, when it went away.

COLOR AFTER WATER 9/10
Beautiful pale yellow green. Opaque with opalescent swirls of green and gold. Small dots of oil on the surface. Not enough to make rainbow sludge. Has nice "legs" each time I swirl the glass.

AROMA 28/30
Nose to bottle, wonderful mix of herbs with the anise coming forward on the 3rd sniff. Poured in glass, and it is still great. Can't help but wonder how I can smell so much, but no alcohol scent. After louching, the scents tone down to levels where I can start to sort them out. The wormwood comes front and center. Makes me grin from ear to ear every time I sniff the glass.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
Like sipping a White Russian made with Half and Half. (milk/cream brand) Very think, creamy and smooth. Coats the whole mouth then goes away as it should after swallowing. Nice mild alcohol bite at the end. Just enough to get your attention and keep you reminded not to chug-a-lug this stuff. Very slight tongue numbing effect. Almost not there.

TASTE 18/20
Oh, my God! The anise and spice start the show with just a hint, then the wormwood knocks them out of the way and says, "Here I am!" That wonderful bitter taste is heaven. It is just sweet enough to not need any sugar.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 9/10
Wow! Wow! Wow! I keep using the word "wonderful," and thinking it is to excess, but it describes the feeling I have each time I take a sip. The nose nears the glass and my mind's eye takes me to crunching through the last bits of snow in the mountains in spring. I see wildflowers and evergreens. This is great stuff and I will buy more when I can afford it. Too expensive to be my regular, but I will have to have more.

PERSONAL NOTES
This one is different. It is not for everyone, but for me, it is a favorite.

Wilson scores Doubs Mystique 89 out of 100

Reviewed by OCvertDe 3/25/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 10/10
Bright, clear, brilliant green; very rich, very natural. Perfection.

LOUCHE ACTION 9/10
Wonderful slow louche. Strong, turbulent oil trails that swirl and balloon as each drop of water plunges a new storm of contrails through the last. Doesn’t begin clouding until nearly 1:1, and very gradually thickens to fill the glass until fully opaque near 3:1. A fantastic show with wonderful layering throughout.
I still fantasize about an absinthe that louches like this one only with more definition in the smoky wisps, but I’m far from disappointed with this.

COLOR AFTER WATER 10/10
Very mature, natural, semi-pale green; fully opaque with nice shading and nuance. As it should be.

AROMA 27/30
Fresh and clean, herbal and complex with only a pleasantly mild hint of a medicinal quality or alcohol.

MOUTH-FEEL 10/10
Excellent. A smooth, rich, creamy numbness that all hits at once in a perfectly balanced harmony of sensations. I could drink this for the mouth feel alone until I passed out, and as a rule I’m a very conservative drinker.

TASTE 19/20
Almost exactly the way it smells, only better. Deep, rich, very smooth- there’s just a faint hint of bitterness, alcohol base, medicinal and herbal intensity to keep it interesting. Not too heavy nor too light, not too herbal or too sweet, not too unconventional nor too traditional, not to violent nor too bland… it's just excellent. Each individual ingredient can be tasted with distinction, but none step on the others. If you’ll pardon the oxymoron: simply complex. Unobtrusive enough to be sipped without excessive pondering, and complex enough to dwell on if you desire to. Very refreshing. It elicits thoughts of a brisk spring day as much as a cozy Christmas evening- in other words, this one tastes good any time no matter what kind of mood you’re in, it will adapt. Fantastic.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 10/10
When Duplais named one of their products “Balance”, they either didn’t of know of Doubs Mystique, didn’t foresee Doubs Mystique, or simply hoped none of their customers would. To my mouth, THIS is a perfectly "balanced" Absinthe that excels in every area. Expertly crafted; it will give as much or as little attention back as you give to it, with astounding flexibility. I cannot say enough about how much I love it. This is the first absinthe I’ve ever considered buying in bulk, and I intend to. Until further notice, this is my favorite libation bar none. I’m not sure it can be improved upon, and I won’t be disappointed if I ever discover this is as good as it gets. My only complaint is that I have six other different bottles of absinthe on my counter, and all I want to drink is this.

PERSONAL NOTES
Based on one 30ml sample mixed 3:1

OCvertDe scores Doubs Mystique Carte d'Or 95 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 3/10
Colour is a very artificial bright green, but it looks nice. I have to deduct points for it looking artificial though.

LOUCHE ACTION 4/10
A decent louche as you would expect from most quality distilled absinthes. Too much green is still present though.

COLOR AFTER WATER 4/10
Cloudy green opaque.

AROMA 26/30
Very nice aroma that is different than most absinthes. You can definitely smell the anise and usual absinthe ingredients but there are also alot of other herbs/spices that come out especially after the louche. I believe these are definitely the Australian native herbs and botanicals. Very nice.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
Nice mouth feel. Nothing great but it is nice.

TASTE 17/20
Very nice complex taste with a bitter finish. Quite different again from most absinthes that I have had but it is very unique and nice.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 7/10
I think this is a very decent absinthe that I will buy again. Very unique.

Ricki scores Moulin Rooz Absinthe 68 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
Natural looking completely transparent mid green.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
Using the brouille (dripper) glass to produce a thin stream, it louches turbulently and is nice to watch. After louching there is not much oil or anethole trail play on the surface at 1:3 ratio as with some other absinthes.

COLOR AFTER WATER 9/10
Very even, opaque, slightly grey/bluish, radiant, light green.

AROMA 23/30
It has quite a lot of grande wormwood in the aroma before water but also other herbs can be noticed. After louching more herbal nuances appear, but wormwood (which I think it is) stays prominent. Also some fruitiness comes forward when water is added.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
Creaminess is good, however it could be that this absinthe has slightly lower anise content than usual (just my guess). Texture is nice, no tingling, burning or such but leaves your mouth feeling fresh instead.

TASTE 15/20
Intense! Anise does not dominate so this goes to recommend to them who care more about wormwood and other herbs. So in other words it is not sweet, maybe a little bitter in the "cool wormwood way".

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
Well made and could be called authentic style verte absinthe but it also has something "modern" in it. And lots of wormwood. Its intensity will not be dulled by sugar, I would dare to say (and must try sometime…).

PERSONAL NOTES
This sample comes from a newly opened 0,5 l bottle that was distilled in March 2007 according to the label stamp (i.e. 6 month before this tasting).

Bruno Rygseck scores Absinthe Brevans H.R. Giger 79 out of 100

Reviewed by fryke 9/4/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 10/10
Natural green as it's supposed to be. Closer to the Duplais Balance than to Duplais Verte

LOUCHE ACTION 9/10
Very nice louche action, turbulent with blueish flashes. Between 1:3 and 1:4, the band at the top vanishes and throughout the glass (antique Swirl) you can still see a little change.

COLOR AFTER WATER 9/10
Thick, light green, a hint of blue.

AROMA 25/30
The alcohol base (a mix of marc and other wine-alcohol, I'm told) along with fennel and wormwood are upfront. Only a (nice) hint of green anise. Louching takes the wine-smell back a notch and brings out a full panorama, good balance.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
Not the creamiest absinthe I've had. I'd personally prefer more anise/fennel in this absinthe. Might have to try again at 1:3 instead of 1:4, although it doesn't seem overwatered at all.

TASTE 14/20
Before swallowing, this absinthe seems almost perfectly balanced for me. Again, a little more anise and fennel would be appreciated. At the time of swallowing, though, the alcohol-base comes on a little too strong. Not an alcoholic bite, I mean, but the taste of marc/wine.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
A well made, authentic absinthe, set apart from its siblings (Duplais, Mansinthe etc.) through the alcohol-base and a little lack of anise, I'd say, that will hopefully evolve into an even better absinthe by taking back the smell and taste of the wine/marc-base and adding a little more anise and fennel. Love the wormwood in this one.

PERSONAL NOTES
My preference regarding sugar switches between none and one sugar cube. Right now I'm not using sugar with my absinthes. I don't find Brevans to be particularly bitter, but the sweetness of a sugar cube might change the mouthfeel and taste a bit. My bottle was distilled in March 2007, opened when it was first available for a sample and reopened now a couple months later.

Fryke scores Absinthe Brevans H.R. Giger 82 out of 100

Reviewed by C.F. Blok-Andersen 11/02/07

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
This liqueur is a surprisingly light shade of jade, most likely due to it's natural coloring. Though held in the light, the shade brightens.

LOUCHE ACTION 10/10
Using a brouiller: There is a distinct stratification between the smoky, louche and top layer, characteristic of a fine quality absinthe. The color has a deep milky quality with a slight green hue. The Brevans louche dynamic is very beautiful indeed and a pleasure to watch.

COLOR AFTER WATER 9/10
At 3:1, a deep, opalescent yellow with green hues bordering the glass. Indeed, very natural-looking!

AROMA 28/30
Sans Water: Very alcoholic with soft medicinal undertones. At this stage it is difficult to discern herbal, plant qualities.

Avec Water: The bouquet is quite different, yielding very floral tones and little alcohol. The scent is pleasant and balanced with scents of fennel, anise, coriander, and wormwood.

MOUTH-FEEL 9/10
Silky smooth!

TASTE 18/20
A fine and well-balanced absinthe. Absolutely delicious! A true harmony of flavors with a touch of sweetness on the back-end. Each sip only gets better.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 9/10
Absolutely refreshing! Overall, this is an outstanding, even-keeled absinthe that will age well. The scent of Brevans is more pleasant than Duplais Verte and Balance, yet on par with the taste and balance of the Duplais. The Matter-Luginbuehl distillery has done a great job in recreating this fine, historic J. de Brevans absinthe.

C.F. Blok-Andersen scores Absinthe Brevans 92 out of 100

Reviewed by Potsebubbleson 11/08/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
dark olive drab green.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
It takes awhile to build the louche. First couple of drops there is not much to see. A couple drops later a thin green stream makes its appearance. It looks like a very small darker green stream followed with the same green colored droplets. After approximately 1 ounce of water the green stream takes a whiteish appearance. This is when the real beautiful louche action takes place. A few ounces later it keeps the subtle stream of color but eventually dies down.

COLOR AFTER WATER 8/10
Looks as if it is a light skim milk with a slight green hint.

AROMA 27/30
Very floral with a very subtle hint of sweetness attached with a knock of sourness. I believe the wormwood has the overwhelming scent.

MOUTH-FEEL 6/10
At first pure cream, when swished a bit for the palate is when the Anise taste is presence, along with a small floral and herbal taste with a strong wood-like essence. When it hits the back of the mouth towards the throat a strong chlorophyll taste is presence. I give it a 6 just because the tastes are very subtle but maybe its because of the water..

TASTE 18/20
Anise, fennel and wormwood are all present but slightly unbalanced.. I believe the wormwood slightly overwhelms, but in a satisfying way.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 7/10
Brevans is a nice modern Absinthe and should not be overlooked. Although the louche is slow in the beginning, the results will be rewarding. The smell is satisfying, while the taste is organized in flavor. It seems as if one flavor seems to hit you in sequence, rather than all at one time. This I believe is what separates it from some cheaper Absinthes. Please recognize this is my first review ever.

Potsebubbleson scores Absinthe Brevans H.R. Giger 81 out of 100

Reviewed by Wilson 2/16/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
Clean and clear, natural green. Looks like what you would expect absinthe to look like.

LOUCHE ACTION 9/10
Lots of oil contrails. Hypnotic. Beautiful louche as it starts to cloud. A clear green layer on top till about 1:2.5. Completely opaque. Very nice.

COLOR AFTER WATER 7/10
Looks like a "Grasshopper" that women used to drink way back when. Pretty, but lacks the opalescence that I expect to see, but then there are no drops of oil on the top like most absinthes that have that look.

AROMA 29/30
Nose to bottle and 3 sniffs. 1-spice and a hint of anise. 2-wormwood and spice. 3-the alcohol finally shows up. Nose to glass and my mind immediately conjures a vision of playing in the barn as a kid. My best friend is watching the look on my face and asks "what happened?" I hand him the glass and watch. He comes back with "Fresh damp hay in the barn." I told him that was what I saw. He wanted to know if it was supposed to cause visions from just smelling it. LOL. After louching, the whole kitchen has this wonderful smell and the scents in the glass tone down to a nice level.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
The lack of oil on the top also has an effect here. Smooth and fairly thick, but lacks a bit of that creaminess that I like so much. This is the only fault I find here. Some tongue numbing, but not too much. After swallowing, it goes clean and leaves a nice mild alcohol heat.

TASTE 17/20
Very nice hint of anise at the start, followed by the wormwood coming on strong. Not too sweet, with a nice bitterness from the wormwood. The alcohol is there at the end briefly and not overpowering. The wormwood aftertaste hangs in there for a long time just above the back of the teeth. I like it a lot.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
Not one of the expensive brands, but very nice. It could easily be a regular for me. I really enjoy the way the smell of it brings back old memories. Nicely balanced and very refreshing. I would recommend it to anyone who loves the wormwood taste and does not like it sweet.

Wilson scores Brevans H.R. Giger 87 out of 100

Reviewed by OCvertDe 3/14/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
Beautiful. Bright, clear, Peridot Green. Borderline natural, but not so questionable that I would call it a flaw. I’m giving it an 8 simply to leave room at the top for something else to wow me a lot more, which at this point I still feel is probable.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
Nice thick oil trails, light louche starts at the bottom and gradually clouds up the sides of the glass and in to near opaqueness around 1:1, continues to layer through 3:1. Good show.

COLOR AFTER WATER 9/10
Unquestionable green, pearly opaque with very nice shading in the sunlight. Lots of depth and character. This is a presentation that will definitely elicit curiosity from the uninitiated when they see it.

AROMA 22/30
Herbal and complex, there’s a lot to process here and you don’t need to stick your nose in the glass to get to it. There is, however, a distinct funk that I can’t place which is somewhat off-putting. I purposely waited a few weeks- and had a few drinks- to review this one (and my two Duplais products as well for the same reason… maybe it’s a Swiss thing?) hoping that it would settle and clear up, but to no avail. While normally I would suspect a problem in the distillation process, I don’t think it’s the case here, as it doesn’t seem to have affected any other aspect of this otherwise stellar drink.

MOUTH-FEEL 9/10
Not quite smooth, cautiously creamy followed by what to me is just about the perfect amount of mouth numbing happiness. Goes down easy, but not without being noticed. Worth savoring.

TASTE 18/20
While I think this is a fairly traditional absinthe, it’s not for the faint of heart. Spicy and herbal without being overly medicinal, it hits like a velvet hammer and has a nice long finish. Lots of strong flavors rushing to the front without coming unbalanced. It may be a niche drink, or it may not, but either way I love it and will invest in more.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
I really, really like this. Lots of charisma and individuality without being totally off the wall like St. George. I’m not sure I’d recommend it as a introduction to absinthe, but for anyone into a variety it’s worth having on the shelf… particularly if you generally like the Swiss products.

OCvertDe scores Absinthe Brevans H.R. Giger 81 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
Clear green with a slight blue-ish tinge. Very similar to Duplais Balance, and I suspect the chlorophyll of the natural herbs used has been enhanced with some sort of additive, as it just doesn't look quite like the colour of any absinthe I've seen that was only coloured with plants.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
Not turbulent or concentrated enough, but certainly good, and the swirling oil trails as water is dripped are pretty.

COLOR AFTER WATER 8/10
While it is green, it lacks the yellow tinge that other naturally coloured absinthes have which make the post-louche colour pearlescent and milky.

AROMA 23/30
Not a whole lot there, but there's not any sharp alcohol heat either. The aroma that is there seems to be Coriander and Wormwood, and the Coriander/Wormwood combo becomes fairly assertive when louched. It's just shy of being clean, there is a subtle toasty aroma reminiscent of tails that was left behind in my measuring cylinder after the absinthe was poured out of it, but it isn't enough to translate to the louched aroma.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
Not thick and creamy, a little thin, but still relatively smooth, with little alcohol bite. There is a moderate spicy kick from the coriander which keeps it interesting.

TASTE 15/20
This Absinthe is VERY similar to Duplais Balance in just about every respect, except the wormwood is more prominent and the anise is a tad weaker. The coriander and wormwood combine to create an interesting woody/pepper/minty taste. The wormwood used is of good quality, though not of the very distinct Pontarlier Wormwood caliber found in L'Artisinale and the Jades. There's a little fennel in the aftertaste, though it's a tad camphorous and not gorgeously rich like the fennel in Jade Edouard and L'Artisinale. The wormwood in the aftertaste carries on for quite some time, and is the strong point of this Absinthe. The weak point is that, with the exception of the Wormwood and Coriander, the other flavours are more suggested than concentrated.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
This is a good absinthe. The drawbacks are the blue-ish tinged colour which looks slightly artificial, not being 100% clean, and the flavour not being as saturated into the drink as the best absinthes. I'd rank it just slightly above Lucid, as the wormwood is more obvious, though in terms of overall quality they're fairly similar, with Lucid having the edge in the Fennel and Anise departments. It's not a top shelf product that a dedicated absinthe drinker would spend a lot of time enjoying, but will likely satisfy most drinkers. Obviously the goofiness of the 66.6% alcohol content and the Manson association have a lot to do with the origins of this absinthe, but thankfully what's in the bottle has good wormwood and is drinkable.

PERSONAL NOTES
Thanks to the distinguished philanthropist Lou Leever who contributed this sample for evaluation.

Donnie Darko scores Mansinthe 78 out of 100

Reviewed by Ricki 15/11/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
Very nice natural emerald green here. No artificial look to this at all.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
Nice enough louche action here. Nothing spectacular though.

COLOR AFTER WATER 8/10
Nice opaque amber/white. Very natural looking.

AROMA 24/30
Nice aroma when opening the bottle. Definitely upfront with the wormwood and there is also another scent that I can't quite put my finger on. It smells slightly like honey only less sweet. Quite a nice aroma which blossums slightly when the water is added.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
Quite thin but smooth at the same time.

TASTE 16/20
Wormwood is definitely up front in this absinthe which i like. I would say this absinthe has more of a savoury taste to it. It would probably go quite well with cocktails aswell.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
Overall this is a good absinthe for me and up there with some of the better ones that I have tried.

Ricki scores Mansinthe 79 out of 100

Reviewed by Neptunati 1/9/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 9/10
Mansinthe looks olive drab and clear no sediment.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
Slow and not concentrated enough. Nice visible oil trails.

COLOR AFTER WATER 6/10
Nice off green opalescence, with that weird bluish tinge.

AROMA 20/30
Before water the smell is slightly grassy with wormwood, almost no fennel, and anise lingering behind.

After water it blooms little. Mostly fresh slightly bitter wormwood, very light anise, very mild nutmeg-coriander-lemonish thing also going on.

MOUTH-FEEL 6/10
Somewhat velvety,not very thick.

TASTE 13/20
Nice astringent bitter taste on back of tongue. This mingles with fennel and citrus like notes on the tip and sides of tongue. This is also one of the sweeter tasting Absinthes I have tried. The first couple of glasses were king of grassy tasting, but the last half of the bottle was not.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 7/10
albeit possible color tempering and I think a little sugar in the recipe this is a great modern Absinthe.

Neptunati scores Mansinthe 69 out of 100

Reviewed by Hartsmar 3/3/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
A nice light green. It could use a little more "oomph" but it's pretty.

LOUCHE ACTION 8/10
It takes its time and louche just slowly appears and ends up in a fully louched opaque drink.

COLOR AFTER WATER 9/10
The color develops further and becomes a nice light green.

AROMA 22/30
There's a nice pontica, wormwood and coriander combination. When water is added it flattens and becomes thinner than expected.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
A smooth and rich mouth-feel which is quite nice. It could have been a bit creamier but it's still interesting.

TASTE 15/20
A little light and flat for me personally but it manages to keep me interested anyway. It's very much like the other Duplais "style" absinthes from the same distillery.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
It's definitely a good enough product for the "beginner" absintheur. Given the main audience of this brand I'd say it's a good thing they get this instead of many other things they could otherwise have been introduced to.

To me personally I think there are other more interesting products out there, even from the same distillery.

Hartsmar scores Mansinthe 78 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 10/10
Clear.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
Nice and gradual but distinctly unremarkable.

COLOR AFTER WATER 8/10
Neutral-looking chalk-white, slightly favoring the blue side of the spectrum.

AROMA 22/30
Crisp, outdoorsy and room-fillingly strong. Anise and fennel dominate, but they don’t overwhelm the other tones. Alcohol doesn’t intrude at all.

MOUTH-FEEL 8/10
Pleasantly astringent and sharp, leaving your mouth feeling clean and warm. The astringency is wormwood, and it increases as you drink. The warmth that begins in your mouth gradually spreads to the rest of your body.

TASTE 16/20
Very much in line with the aroma. It’s strong, clean, and more herbal than floral. The astringency lingers, and the more you drink, the more it tastes like wormwood. I could really feel it in the back of my throat — in a good way.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
Capricieuse is is based on the same recipe as Clandestine, bottled at a higher proof; I’m scoring it two points higher because it’s less expensive per unit of alcohol, and because I don’t remember liking the Clandestine quite this much. Like Clandestine, it’s an excellent la bleue that I’d recommend to newbies and experienced absintheurs alike.

PERSONAL NOTES
Four of us opened the bottle the same night as a bottle of Duplais Balance, and we all preferred the Capricieuse. It’s not that we didn’t enjoy the Balance, but it seemed timid after the Capricieuse’s boldness.

Absinthesizer scores La Capricieuse 79 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 5/10
A nice dark red, colored or flavored with red ginseng according to the bottle. It just doesn't look natural though.

LOUCHE ACTION 0/10
No action here. Oil contrails are immediately formed, but soon leave. There is absolutely no louche.

COLOR AFTER WATER 0/10
The red color has become a bit paler, reminding me of watered down grenadine. It remains translucent, without any louche. The color doesn't seem natural now more than ever.

AROMA 1/30
Before water: I expected the worst and was at first pleasantly surprised when I opened the bottle and thought I smelled a weak anise scent, but I proved myself wrong. When I poured the Diable Rouge in a glass, the only thing I smelled was a slight alcohol scent, like detergent, but nothing more. There's nothing else to smell at all.

After water: the smell of detergent is a bit stronger now, but that's about it. No anise, nothing herbal… absolutely nothing.

MOUTH-FEEL 1/10
The nasty taste of detergent invades the mouth, follewed by a strange alcohol flavour which soon disappears to leave no taste at all. Why am I even bothering to give it a 1/10?

TASTE 0/20
Almost nothing to smell or to taste, appart from a slight alcohol taste, which at first appears to be developing into something vaguely fruity, but finally just doesn't at all. In the end, I also tasted something like a vague biterness, which immediately cleared the way for the obvious taste of detergent. The addition of sugar doesn't help at all. Disgusting. Sink time for Señor Diabolo Rougo…

OVERALL IMPRESSION 0/10
No complexity at all, no character, almost no smell or any taste. A 1/10 would be to much to give. It might taste better (probably will) with a burned sugar cube, but I am not going to give it a try…

PERSONAL NOTES
Brought back from Spain in a special box with the four other Le Diables (Vert, Jaune, Bleu, Noir), each a 4 cl bottle, for almost no money.

Nurgle scores Le Diable Rouge 7 out of 100

COLOR BEFORE WATER 1/10
An ugly, clear, artificial, fluorescent light green color.

LOUCHE ACTION 0/10
No louche whatsoever.

COLOR AFTER WATER 0/10
It remains as clear as before, completely transparent.

AROMA 4/30
Before water: Very prominent alcohol, a nasty chemical smell, yet fresh and a bit minty.

After water: The aromas (if one can call them like that) become a bit more prominent but basically remain as uninteresting as before. An artificial minty flavour mixed with alcohol invades the nostrils.

MOUTH-FEEL 2/10
The alcohol has a bad taste and immediately numbs the tongue. Fresh, minty, a slightly bitter taste appears to remain in the end. The chemical taste prevails however. Yuk.

TASTE 3/20
Terrible. The alcohol is very prominent (to be expected), mixed with an unpleasant chemical taste, perhaps in a failed attempt to be considered as herbal. Its fresh, minty taste is about the only reason why I still give it a few points.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 1/10
The alcohol is much too prominent and the unnatural, artificial taste prevails. Apart from that, it has a fresh, minty taste which quickly disappears to reveal a (very slight) bitterness. To be avoided…

PERSONAL NOTES
Brought back from Spain in a special box with the four other Le Diables (Vert, Jaune, Bleu, Noir), each a 4 cl bottle, for almost no money.

Nurgle scores Le Diable Vert (70%) 11 out of 100