16 replies to this topic

[Lalaslair]

As a recommendation of some of you members my 4th bottle to taste is the Duplais Balance.I realize it takes much time to develop a palate for absinthe but I am totally clueless as to what I am tasting.I am guessing this is what wormwood tastes like,no?

[Brian Robinson]

You're gonna have to give us some descriptor for what you're tasting.

Wormwood tends to add an alpine, slightly bitter, slightly 'minty' flavor with a nice dryness.

[Lalaslair]

I almost taste a mustiness in it.I do detect a mintiness that flashes by like a speeding car and then quickly disappears.There is no alpine quality to me,however,I've never been to the alps.

[rob fritz]

Don't make too much about it if you are only four bottles in. As long as you are enjoy your absinthe that is the most important

[Lalaslair]

I still have 3 unopened bottles to try.I will just have to come back to it later.

[jcbphd]

It also may help if you read others' reviews of the absinthe you are drinking as you drink then, as their descriptions may trigger a deeper understanding of what you are tasting/smelling.

[Ambear]

Wormwood tends to add an alpine, slightly bitter, slightly 'minty' flavor with a nice dryness.

I find sometimes it has an almost soapy or tart quality too.

It also may help if you read others' reviews of the absinthe you are drinking as you drink then, as their descriptions may trigger a deeper understanding of what you are tasting/smelling.

I find that very helpful. When I first had Obsello there was something I was familiar with but couldn't place not matter how hard I tried. Turns out it was vanilla, once I had glanced at a few other reviews.

[Brian Robinson]

Ambear, do you sometimes find cilantro to taste soapy? If so, it might be coriander that's giving you that taste.

[Ambear]

Ambear, do you sometimes find cilantro to taste soapy? If so, it might be coriander that's giving you that taste.

No, definitely not. I tend to get a very citrus-y flavor from both, and I'm familiar with a good deal of coriander in my food/drinks.

[fingerpickinblue]

I am guessing this is what wormwood tastes like,no?

Try this. It's all helpful, but I've always liked the description in post #22.

[Zman (Marc Bernhard)]

Ambear, do you sometimes find cilantro to taste soapy? If so, it might be coriander that's giving you that taste.

Ambear, do you sometimes find cilantro to taste soapy? If so, it might be coriander that's giving you that taste.

No, definitely not. I tend to get a very citrus-y flavor from both, and I'm familiar with a good deal of coriander in my food/drinks.

Soapy flavors in liqour tend to come from orris, angelica, or lavender. I've never encountered coriander as lending any soap-type flavors.

[Brian Robinson]

I've never encountered coriander as lending any soap-type flavors.

I asked Ambear about cilantro because there is a small group of people who have a certain enzyme in their saliva that causes cilantro and coriander to taste very soapy. If you've never experienced that, then you obviously don't fall into that group.

[Lalaslair]

I cook with a wide variety of herbs and cilantro is loathsome to me as it does taste soapy.I've never seen fresh or raw wormwood in my life so I'm clueless about the taste or smell.I think I'll go to the health food store and see if they have an essential oil open so I can smell it.I really love tarragon so if there is an absinthe that showcases that flavor I'd be interested in trying it.

[Absomphe]

I asked Ambear about cilantro because there is a small group of people who have a certain enzyme in their saliva that causes cilantro and coriander to taste very soapy.

Oddly, although I used to interpret that flavor of cilantro as soapy, but I no longer do.

Obviously, body chemistry (including taste buds) can change with age.

[Lalaslair]

I asked Ambear about cilantro because there is a small group of people who have a certain enzyme in their saliva that causes cilantro and coriander to taste very soapy.

Oddly, although I used to interpret that flavor of cilantro as soapy, but I no longer do.

Obviously, body chemistry (including taste buds) can change with age.

So is that what happens when you get old then?(giggle)

[Absomphe]

Among lots of other fun things.

[Ambear]

I really love tarragon so if there is an absinthe that showcases that flavor I'd be interested in trying it.

St. George has tarragon in it, among other things. Many, many other things.

I suppose to clarify on the "soapiness", it's definitely not a soapy taste meaning the actual taste of soap (trust me, it's happened before), but more that it tastes the way some soaps smell, which I don't find at all unpleasant. It's a fresh and clean taste, without being minty.