Justifiée & Ancienne - New Zufanek Absinthe

[DanPatrick]

So a fellow recently posted on a Facebook absinthe group about tasting a sample of a new absinthe from the Zufanek distillery called: "Justifiée & Ancienne". Of course seeing the inclusion of the word "Ancienne" on a new offering about to be released from the Zufanek distillery made me shoot up in my seat. The fellow posting about it, Scott MacDonald, had this to say about it:

 

"I am having a sample of Martin's new absinthe Justifiée & Ancienne. It is so great. It has a softness and roundness, while still capturing the spirit of vintage, without any sharp edges or harshness. It is a lovely caramel color, and my favorite absinthe from him to date. Masterful."

 

It looks like we have a successor to La Ancienne, although this one is crafted by Martin and not Stefano. The tasting notes could be straight from a review of La Ancienne, down to the color. Scott did remark that it was not La Ancienne per se. Another fellow who also tried a sample said that

"It is a nice marriage of Antoine and Ancienne "

 

There are obvious politics here and I definitely had my own reaction, but that aside I do have to say that I am excited to try it now that La Ancienne is no longer being released. Thoughts?

 

 

 

REVIEW PAGE ADDED

Edited December 24, 2016 by Brian Robinson
Added link to review page

[DanPatrick]

I should clarify my "obvious politics" statement as it could be taken the wrong way- what I mean is that it would be interesting to see if this is a collaboration of Stefano's and Martin's recipes, as in the comment "It is a nice marriage of Antoine and Ancienne ". I'm pretty excited myself.

 

Also, "L'Ancienne", not "La Ancienne". Man, we should have a longer window to edit our posts before there are any responses haha

Edited October 5, 2016 by DanPatrick

[Hedonmonkey]

Guess I now understand where the "reviews and thoughts" about absinthe are going, since they're obviously not being posted here. (except the occasional mention like this one)

Never would have guessed that members would put a higher priority on posting reviews and thoughts about absinthe on a generic social site rather than on one devoted to that very drink.

Then again... no exposure, no money. I suppose when looking at it like that it makes perfect sense.

Thanks for passing along the info, DP.

[Gwydion Stone]

Facebook is eating forums everywhere.

[Absomphe]

Indeed.

[DanPatrick]

You're welcome! To be fair, Scott(who is doing great things with absinthe education all over the place) did post his feedback to the "Absinthe Antiques" Facebook group. But yes, WWS is still where this kind of information needs to be posted to get the attention of those most active in buying, grading, and recommending quality absinthe.

Edited October 6, 2016 by DanPatrick

[DanPatrick]

So while we have your attention, can you tell us a bit about this release? The characteristics mentioned and the color clearly indicate oak aging. I also understand that the release is a few months out. I will most likely be ordering several bottles and I'm sure other members' ears are perking up too.

Edited October 6, 2016 by DanPatrick

[fingerpickinblue]

A link to the Facebook post referred to in the OP would be helpful for those of us who like to see these things with our own eyes, if for no other reason than to evaluate them in context.

[DanPatrick]

Sure thing- it's a closed group, so I'm not sure that the link will work if one is not a member:

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Absintheantiques/permalink/1202173529853113/?comment_id=1202589266478206&notif_t=group_comment_reply&notif_id=1475621001566251

 

If that doesn't work then I've linked to a screen capture here:

 

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t416/Grillkick/Absinthe/screengrabJandA_zps1m4krfdu.jpg

 

Scott's comment about it not being L'Ancienne is actually in response to an earlier question regarding if it was related to or the successor of L'Ancienne- not a comment about the quality, IE: "it's no L'Ancienne".

Edited October 6, 2016 by DanPatrick

[Martin Zufanek]

Whoa, it's been probably a year since I was here on WS, sorry about that. But you know, Book of Faces is ruining it all.

 

Thank you for making this thread and let me explain.

 

Stefano left the commercial absinthe production. He is one of the best distillers I've ever met and I completely respect his decision to stop L'A because it is very hard for him to leave USA, go to our place, distill a few liters and return back. Please note that J&A isn't rebranded L'A. It is my variation of preban style absinthe. It is quite similar, because the same wine base, source of herbs, our alembic, barrels etc. You can't hide origin of the home distillery. J&A is more floral, smoother and not so heavy on leather and smokey side. I know some of you didn't like that "leather, old money aroma" so I made it my way.

 

Name of the absinthe is my homage to The KLF. British pioneers of rave, house and chillout music. The group who hugely affected my life in 90's. One one of their aliases was Justified Ancient of Mu Mu. You probably know the song called Justified & Ancient feat. Tammy Wynette.

 

Over & Out.

[le5lieb]

Where's the darn 'Like' button.

[DanPatrick]

Thank you for filling us in Martin! From what people who have tried it are saying, it is a fantastic absinthe. Yes, with what you said I can't blame Stefano either, although I do hope he returns to crafting commercial absinthe one day. Is this going to be a limited release or will it be a regular offering from you?

 

Edit: Yes, I was wondering if this was a reference to that song! It was everywhere back in the day.

Edited October 7, 2016 by DanPatrick

[TheLoucheyMonster!]

Sounds tasty!

[Songcatcher]

Out with the old, in with the new...old.

[yasbean]

At last, some real discussion. I never feel comfortable saying anything on ....

[Absomphe]

At last, some real discussion.

OMG!

 

Hopefully, this is just a fluke...unless it concerns craft beer, of course.

[Hedonmonkey]

Or sex...

[Stefano Rossoni]

I feel like there is a little bit of confusion so I’d like to rectify a few things:

• I have not abandoned the commercial production of absinthe for good. I’m on a hiatus and if things line up in the future, I hope I will be able to resume the production of my recipes (L’Ancienne and La Grenouille) with another distillery. I love distilling absinthe more than anything!
  

• No, I’m not involved in any way with this absinthe. I'm no longer working with Martin and I wish him the best with his future endeavors.
  

• I can understand why the name would lead people to think there is a connection, but, as Martin explained, it seems to be a coincidence. I have not tasted it but there shouldn’t be too many similarities. However, you know what they say: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…
  

I’m not on the forums much lately, but if you have any questions feel free to message me.

[Absomphe]

Or sex...

I must've missed this, but...what you said!

[Martin Zufanek]

What Stefano said!

 

Absinthe is our love of life, but you know, niche product like no other. Whole Europe is now riding on gin wave.

[DanPatrick]

There is a good handful of quality US absinthe distilleries nowadays, so when the time is right for you Stefano I'm sure that you can make some calls and get the ball rolling! Unless they're completely oblivious to the absinthe world, they'll know what kind of excitement your products will bring.

 

Also, although I personally love the aptly described "leather and old money" aroma of L'Ancienne, I'm hearing great things about Justifiée & Ancienne and will be all over it when it's released.

[greytail]

I too love that old leather profile of L'Anciene. Reminds me of the vintage preban Edouard I was fortunate to taste years ago. I would be curious to know who the "some" are who did not.

 

As for this new absinthe. Martin, it's just unfortunate that the name is so similar when you are trying to say it's so different from what Stefano made. I can't help but wonder if the name was chosen to ride on the coat tails of L'Ancienes popular following and the fact that it has been awhile since its annual production.

 

I am not saying this is how it is, just how it seems to me. I guess the proof will be in how it tastes. If it reminds me too much of l'Aancienne the claims that it was not a clone could be harder to believe.

Either way, it's absinthe and as they say, the proof will be in the pudding.

Edited October 17, 2016 by greytail

[Martin Zufanek]

I got your point.

 

But please, don't get me any wrong, name of this absinthe was not chosen to ride on the coat tails of L'Ancienne. We don't need such thing. Absolute majority of our customers never heard or even tasted L'Ancienne. All the production went directly abroad to your favorite absinthe eshops and to you, members of absinthe forums. I can even tell that I know all the L'A owners

 

But J&A is another story. I could sell all that 200 litres just here in Czech to the people who never heard about L'A. It is not made to make fortune. It is because I love absinthe and people here in Czech love our products. Actually it was prepared to Czech republic only. But when I revealed it, your fave Germany located eshops asked for some too.

 

I could name it simply Absinthe - Methode Ancienne. It is a common phrase. But instead I chose J&A because I wanted to use that name for a very long time. Our next product could be named 3am Eternal. Or 'A Sync

[greytail]

Thanks for the explanation.

[le5lieb]

Stefano, I impatiently await the spirits that you will once again create.

 

Martin, is absolutely correct; the reputation of his products alone make them desirable. I pounce on any new absinthe coming from Zufanek.

[Norton]

But J&A is another story. I could sell all that 200 litres just here in Czech to the people who never heard about L'A. It is not made to make fortune. It is because I love absinthe and people here in Czech love our products. Actually it was prepared to Czech republic only. But when I revealed it, your fave Germany located eshops asked for some too.

 

Hi Martin, not just in Czech but also we in Slovak republic really enjoy your absinthe Actually I think L'A was one of sample in tasting organized in Kosice – Gurman Fest 2015. it was my first contact with "real" absinthe and together with your speech about absinth you start my new passion J Thanks a lot. I already reserved one bottle of J&A

[chocochaos]

Has anyone here already tried this absinthe? I just received my bottle in the mail, can't wait to try it this weekend

[Shuichi Shindou]

The L'Ancienne has been on my short list of absinthes to try based on the tasting notes and forum discussions. But it seems like I missed the boat on it, unfortunately.

I recognized the name of the J&E and immediately hopped over here to see if there was any info on it. I'm really excited for this, even if it is completely different. I just ordered a bottle today and it can't get here fast enough! :D

[Carlo]

I'm waiting to read some reviews. I'm curious, but it's pretty costly.

[Brian Robinson]

It's delicious. Will be posting a formal review this week.