Reviewed by Nate 4/27/2005

COLOR BEFORE WATER 6/10
Don't get me wrong. I love the color. It's a very clear and intense red. However, it appears very unnatural.

LOUCHE ACTION 7/10
Not slow, not fast, not orthodox, but very pretty! Swirls of red stay on top while an apricot peach fades from the bottom up.

COLOR AFTER WATER 6/10
The apricot color is nice, but completely opaque. Actually looks like a glass of apricot juice.

AROMA 20/30
Before water: Given the high proof (130) of this, there isn't as strong of an alcohol scent as one would expect, however that and a black jelly bean aroma overpower any subtleties. After water: WOW! The jelly bean scent is still there, but also many fruity, citrusy scents. At this point, it's impossible for me to decipher what all is in there, but I love it! However, there is a great lack of anything floral. It's a nice aroma, but very strange for absinthe.

MOUTHFEEL 7/10
A bit thin, slightly oily, but very smooth. The high proof is not obtrusive, but something numbs the tongue after a while. Possibly star anise.

TASTE 15/20
Definitely different, but wonderfully refreshing. I was told by a few people that the only description of the flavor was "red." They were right.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 7/10
I love this stuff, however this does NOT taste like your average absinthe. If you're looking for a classic taste, look elsewhere. If you want something that will leave you scratching your head for a bit, this is your drink.

Note: I expected this to get a much lower score as it's very not normal. Bizarre.

Nate scores Serpis 65 71 out of 100

Reviewed by Crosby & Head Prosthesis 1/20/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 10/10
Perfect shade of red.

LOUCHE ACTION 10/10
Beautiful! Builds slowly from the bottom.

COLOR AFTER WATER 10/10
Tropical, lovely pinkish-orange

AROMA 29/30
Tropical, fruity, delicious, unidentifiable aroma. Reminds Head of Christmas in Michigan!

MOUTH-FEEL 9/10
Coats the pallete like a leather tongue in a velvet sock.

TASTE 18/20
Tropical, spicey something. Slight latex after-taste like a flavored condom.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 10/10
Unique, one of a kind. The only thing Head buys three bottles at a time.

PERSONAL NOTES
Yes, we were sober.

Crosby & Head Prosthesis scores Serpis 65 96 out of 100

Reviewed by jmark 3/22/2007

COLOR BEFORE WATER 8/10
Strikingly red-orange, but nothing that couldn't be naturally derived. Otherwise, absolutely clear and bright.

LOUCHE ACTION 10/10
Strong, beautiful orange-mango clouds roiling under a strong band of red.

COLOR AFTER WATER 10/10
Fully opaque peach, on par with the thickest louche I've seen by any other brand.

AROMA 17/30
Before water: strong alcohol in front of a light herbal scent. Not a single funky note detected.

After water: alcohol has subsided. Anise at the forefront with a nice wormwood bite at the tail end of the scent.

MOUTH-FEEL 7/10
Certainly not thin, but not really very creamy, either. A little oily, but not unpleasant.

TASTE 15/20
Dry and clean. This is something that I would almost always prepare with sugar. Some tongue numbing, but not too much. A very nice, clean bitterness ends the flavor and lingers, which earns extra in my book, though there's not much in complexity, not a lot of change in flavor as it travels across the palate.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 8/10
I started with a 10cl sample, and have already ordered a liter bottle. In a way, it's almost a perfect everyday type of absinthe. Not dull and not too full of itself. It's beautiful to look at, it's clean and perfectly bitter. I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a long-term favorite.

jmark scores Serpis 65 75 out of 100