Reviewed by Darren R 8/26/2008

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
A clear, bright, and natural light green. Personally, I'd prefer the ridiculous, overdone fake green colours if it were possible to get them naturally, but my preference is not at issue, here. No sediment, and again, it's green–not close to it, or greenish, but green. That's all I want or expect from an all-natural absinthe.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
I didn't have a dripper, so I carefully applied the cold water to the spoon–with one sugar cube–from a shot glass. At the completion of 1:1, it began. No oil trails for me, but a robust cloud forming from 1:1 onwards. It sustained itself, and grew at a steady rate as I did my best, sans a proper dripper.

COLOR AFTER WATER 7/10
I've read just about every review here, so what can I add to "opaque?" To me, it had the same combination of light green on white as the plastic glow-in-the-dark toys I had as a child. This was at 4:4, when I stopped. I like to sip for a very long time, and the louche did not recede throughout the evening.

AROMA 25/30
To me, it is licorice and mint, with an alcohol bite. I don't have the expertise to discern between green and star anise. After water, it is the same to me, but the alcohol is gone. The aroma took over the room; good, strong stuff, I say!

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
I didn't notice any alcohol distraction. It is rich, yet light, like fine silk, as opposed to something rich and heavy. Is this lightness the "baby powder" I've read about? To me, it is.

TASTE 15/20
In order of strength: anise, mint, and wormwood. There is more going on which I wish I had the experience to note, but as they say, "It's all good."

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
Of the bottle, some people might not like the plastic cork, but I didn't mind it. The glass is very dark bluish green. The label is tall and thin, like the bottle, itself. Its bright green letters are entwined with white plants and flowers, suggesting to me an area of a dark forest that is, in some way, magical. A very strong label, and a classy departure from the standard Pernod Fils imitations, which I am sick of, or the weird labels, which I can also do without.

As for the drink, itself, my history with absinthe was a knowledge of its lore, and then, a chance encounter with Hiil's, which was repulsive. But, given that the Hill's was expensive, I thought it might be a quality product, which it isn't. Then, I had another encounter, this time with Clandestine La Bleue. Much better. After that, some Taboo, and, as a Canadian, Taboo became the absinthe for me. My review may not be amongst the most knowledgeable here, but I know what I like, and I appreciate quality in all things. I advise you to appreciate the fine quality of Absinthe Taboo, as well.

Darren R scores Taboo 77 out of 100