• Not poisonous, and never was?
Properly preparing a glass of absinthe isn't as complicated as you may think.
Do you know how to tell a great absinthe from a so-so absinthe? What does one look for, or demand, in a glass of absinthe? Just as with fine wine, fine absinthe has a whole language and system for evaluation and tasting.
- Traditional Absinthe
- François Guy
François Guy
Product Details
Style/Color
Degrees ABV (% alcohol)
Country of Origin
Distillery
Web site
Editor reviews
2 reviews
Sweet and simple
Overall rating
3.3
Appearance
3.0
Louche
4.0
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.0
Finish
3.0
Overall
3.0
To be such an unassuming absinthe, it seems so contentious. People seem to love it or hate it. Fact is, it's a simple little absinthe with an anise overload that hides the rest of the herbs. There is little more than a hint of wormwood in the finish. Despite its shortcomings, if you accept Francois Guy as a tasty everyday sort of absinthe and consider its contribution to contemporary absinthe, it's very easy to appreciate this drink on its own merits. I like the thick louche and I really like the creamy mouth feel, too. The aroma is delicious. I think a bottle of Francois Guy should be a staple of every absinthe bar. I thoroughly enjoyed the glass I had while writing this review and the nice thing is, I've enjoyed every glass of Francois Guy I've ever had.
JL
Simple, little Franky G.
Overall rating
3.2
Appearance
3.0
Louche
3.0
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.0
Finish
3.0
Overall
3.0
The absinthe is the colour of pale straw with a hint of green. It appears natural and clear. The louche is attractive and interesting, building from the bottom, but it's over quickly. After water it's pearl white and a bit too thick. Looks like a blanche. The aroma is mostly anise with a bit of wormwood peeking through, with earthy tones. Simple but very pleasant. No surprises in the flavour, except that the wormwood is stronger than in the aroma. Otherwise what I taste is what I smell. There's more tongue-numbing than creaminess in the texture. The finish is crisp and refreshing. A tasty enough absinthe but definitely isn't an herbal powerhouse.
AY
User reviews
6 reviews
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Summer and everyday
Overall rating
3.2
Appearance
3.0
Louche
3.5
Aroma
3.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.5
Finish
3.0
Overall
3.0
Appearance: a very light green, clear.
Louche: quickly forming, some orange,
Aroma: a standard green, strong in anise, not very complex.
Flavour: mostly anise, but wormwood is there too with its slight bitterness. Not complex but very refreshing.
Finish: some wormwood lingering in the mouth.
Overall: a very nice absinthe, low in alcohol, light but tasty, very affordable, strong in anise. It's an ideal everyday absinthe. I should be perfect for summer. I drink it 1:5 without sugar, it's very refreshing. I tend to prefer absinthes with more complexity and less anise, but I still like it a lot.
Louche: quickly forming, some orange,
Aroma: a standard green, strong in anise, not very complex.
Flavour: mostly anise, but wormwood is there too with its slight bitterness. Not complex but very refreshing.
Finish: some wormwood lingering in the mouth.
Overall: a very nice absinthe, low in alcohol, light but tasty, very affordable, strong in anise. It's an ideal everyday absinthe. I should be perfect for summer. I drink it 1:5 without sugar, it's very refreshing. I tend to prefer absinthes with more complexity and less anise, but I still like it a lot.
C
A Simple Glass
Overall rating
3.1
Appearance
2.5
Louche
3.5
Aroma
3.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.0
Finish
3.5
Overall
3.0
Neat color is very light green. Being an absinthe bottled at 45% - I wouldn't go more than 1:3 and even that is a slight stretch. A bit one-dimensional but not offensive. When louched, appears similar to a blanche, being quite quite pale - close to white. The louche itself is correct and the aroma and taste is good - just very simple. This might be a really good introductory absinthe for beginners.
I expected a bit more from this absinthe - but it remains inexpensive and inoffensive. Not bad.
I expected a bit more from this absinthe - but it remains inexpensive and inoffensive. Not bad.
J
Simple, but highly enjoyable!
Overall rating
3.7
Appearance
4.0
Louche
3.5
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
4.0
Finish
3.0
Overall
3.5
*Received as sample in absinthe explore set from absinthes.com
Appearance - While not breathtaking, FG is definitely clear and natural in appearance. As many have observed, it's nothing completely out of the ordinary, but it is "pretty" in the glass.
Louche - Very nice to watch. The opalescent swirling continues well up to the 3:1 mark.
Aroma - The aroma is mostly the standard anise fare - not overly complex, but pleasant.
Flavor/Mouthfeel - Feels fairly thick on the tongue. Very pleasant taste with far less of an anise overload than is hinted in the aroma. Fairly well-balanced and pleasant. Again, not overly complex, but very enjoyable.
Finish - If absinthe is supposed to be refreshing, FG has that in spades. The finish is light but lingering and adds to the overall positive experience.
Overall - Even having sampled FG without knowledge of its economical advantages, we both really liked this absinthe. While it is simple, it would be a great introduction to absinthe. It is pretty, louches well, smells and tastes lovely, and is extremely easy to drink. I could see this as an "every day" absinthe and, given its incredibly reasonable price tag, an absinthe I would gladly recommend to a friend looking to order a good starter.
Appearance - While not breathtaking, FG is definitely clear and natural in appearance. As many have observed, it's nothing completely out of the ordinary, but it is "pretty" in the glass.
Louche - Very nice to watch. The opalescent swirling continues well up to the 3:1 mark.
Aroma - The aroma is mostly the standard anise fare - not overly complex, but pleasant.
Flavor/Mouthfeel - Feels fairly thick on the tongue. Very pleasant taste with far less of an anise overload than is hinted in the aroma. Fairly well-balanced and pleasant. Again, not overly complex, but very enjoyable.
Finish - If absinthe is supposed to be refreshing, FG has that in spades. The finish is light but lingering and adds to the overall positive experience.
Overall - Even having sampled FG without knowledge of its economical advantages, we both really liked this absinthe. While it is simple, it would be a great introduction to absinthe. It is pretty, louches well, smells and tastes lovely, and is extremely easy to drink. I could see this as an "every day" absinthe and, given its incredibly reasonable price tag, an absinthe I would gladly recommend to a friend looking to order a good starter.
M
A quality absinthe at a decent price.
Overall rating
3.7
Appearance
2.0
Louche
3.0
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
5.0
Finish
4.0
Overall
4.0
The color of this absinthe can't quite be called a verte as its more of a pale yellow. The louche forms almost immediately so there really isn't much of a display to enjoy at all. Now that we have the crtitiques over with its all pretty good from here on with the aroma spreading nicely throughout the room . I didn't like the taste at first but I had only tried Spanish absinthes.I really grew to like this one though it would have been better if it was a little stronger. The anise is not so strong as one woould expect and the wormwood really gives it a bitter kick. There is something interesting going on as the absinthe had an almost rooty nutty quality I hadn't expected and this is what turned me off at the start. Very interesting and complex.I'd buy it again. The bottle also has a nice classic design that is a nice keeper.
L
Decent mid-priced absinthe
Overall rating
3.2
Appearance
1.0
Louche
3.0
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
4.0
Finish
4.0
Overall
3.0
Very pale yellow green, louches to almost pure white. Before water, aroma has burning alcohol(strange for 45%) after is strong on Anis and minty Wormwood. Fairly M.O.R flavour profile, but tasty.
C
