Zzz Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Now that I know some of you have tasted Claude's brand new verte suisse, ANGELIQUE, I thought we could open a thread on it. Naturally colored, an excellent louche, great mouth feel, complex, minty, bitter, I put it 2nd on my list, under the 1910. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helfrich Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I find the macerated wormwood that keeps lingering for hours really horrible. I like the label though. It's the kind of "joie de vivre" I highly prefer over death's heads or cat's eyes glowing in the dark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boggy Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Serge's attacking the profiteers, my boy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helfrich Report post Posted July 8, 2007 You are brainwashing me. Admit it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boggy Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Doing my best, if I fail... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gwydion Stone Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Serge's attacking the profiteers™, my boy And which profiteers might those be? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boggy Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Not profiteers, but profiteers. (He mentioned them if not calling up names). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gertz Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Angelique is naturally coloured, but the wrong way. Bugnon has used A. absinthium. Not much, and the first sip starts as something tasty - but then this nasty bitterness comes through, and like Helfrich said, it just stays there. For hours. I am pretty sure that Bugnon could have made a really nice verte, had he just used the proper herbs and nothing but that for colouring. But alas, he didn't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gwydion Stone Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Not profiteers, but profiteers™. (He mentioned them if not calling up names).No difference. Let's try to keep the bullshit innuendos out of here shall we? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bluescat Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I don't get a bitter aftertaste at all........I like it a lot! I put it up there, just like Zzz does, with the 1901. Sonny does too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonny Mann Report post Posted July 8, 2007 In my mind and mouth it stands out from the others because of the extra fennel. I really like it. ALOT! (Yes, I shouted). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hartsmar Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Among the new Swiss vertes, it's the better one. That bitterness is definitely there though. And that ruins what could otherwise be a perfectly fine drink. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zzz Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Among the new Swiss vertes, it's the better one. That bitterness is definitely there though. And that ruins what could otherwise be a perfectly fine drink. Hm... I really don't detect a "horrible" bitterness. It actually becomes increasingly pleasant. Strange. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pan Buh Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I've had but one glass of it, and I have to admit I didn't notice the bitterness. Of course, it was my first drink after a long day of travel with two kids and I was further distracted by the excitement of meeting an old friend for the first time. In other words, I really wasn't paying scrutinizing attention to the drink, but found it enjoyable under the circumstances. At the same time, I was very interested to hear Bugnon say that he thought it was too bitter for his personal taste. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peridot Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I just find it interesting that the first verte he puts on the market is designed for people with a taste for somewhat more bitter products. According to PB, more bitter than his own tastes. Why not make the first verte a more well-rounded product? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helfrich Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Hm... I really don't detect a "horrible" bitterness. It actually becomes increasingly pleasant. Strange. I assume Gertz and I are just oversensitive, and I got to swallow more than I wanted because Spoon emptied his glass in mine. Besides I usually drink absinthe as an aperitif and it's almost impossible to enjoy a meal after a glass of this, erm... product. Bugnon knows that as well indeed. Still he thinks that A.a. is a fine alternative to pontica that tastes like "hay". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gwydion Stone Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I haven't had the Angelique, but I'm rather surprised no one is talking about the angelica. It is supposed to have angelica in it right? Seeds or root? Can you taste or smell it? he thinks that A.a. is a fine alternative to pontica that tastes like "hay".No, an alternative would be a pontica that didn't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helfrich Report post Posted July 8, 2007 It is supposed to have angelica in it right? It is supposed to but it is all about macerated A.a. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ari (Eric Litton) Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I've found there are different types of "bitter." Lots of a good bitter is still good, yet small amounts of a cringe inducing bitter is quite bad. I haven't had Angelique but I have found wormwood oil in others to be a cringe inducing bitter. Where as a nicely bitter 1797 to be a very good bitter. I might put the bitterness 'level' at about the same but not the quality. If that made any sense, perhaps I need to be drinking to make an understandable post. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pan Buh Report post Posted July 8, 2007 It is supposed to have angelica in it right? Seeds or root? I believe Claude-Alain is the root and seed. But he refuses to distill his daughter. The herb, yes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boggy Report post Posted July 8, 2007 AFAIK, it is named after her. Alan, could shed some light about angelica's part in it? Alan? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zzz Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Well, I have just learned that everyone talking about this extreme bitterness and macerated nightmare tasted the first batch, made last year. The new batch was just released to the public in June, and pre-released a few months before. I assure you, it is much better. I was told personally by Claude that he does not create and sell anything he would not drink himself. It gives you that clean swiss quality, with a bit more bitterness and kick. The Angelica definitely comes through as a prominent flavor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helfrich Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I'm not too fond of the 1797, but it is properly distilled, the wormwood is excellent and the bitterness is appropriate. It doesn't suck at all. The Angélique does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zzz Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I'm not too fond of the 1797, but it is properly distilled, the wormwood is excellent and the bitterness is appropriate. It doesn't suck at all. The Angélique does. Alright I'm having a glass right now to check this out. Up front, it is seemingly sweet, crisp. As I swallow, a mild bitterness raises the back of my tongue. The texture left throughout the mouth is very nice. And the aftertaste is completely pleasant, not close to horribly bitter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helfrich Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Do you expect me to have an explanation for that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grim Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Nah, but how 'bout this. the 1797... it is properly distilled Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pan Buh Report post Posted July 8, 2007 I don't think anyone's questioning Bugnon's ability to distill properly. If that's what's being implied. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grim Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Huh? Nope, wasn't speakin' to the tune of that. If he's coloring with A.a., that's no bueno. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helfrich Report post Posted July 8, 2007 Nah, but how 'bout this.the 1797... it is properly distilled I was more or less expecting such a reply, since you are around. I said it in this context for the sake of argument and now I confess guilt in front of all the Angélique fans. But that's because of you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grim Report post Posted July 9, 2007 Guess I'm guilty of bein' too damn predictable. I'll be sure to work on that… bit rusty as you can imagine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites