Wow...lovely color, somewhere between peridot, and emerald, but it could be more vivid.

The louche was the creamiest I've ever experienced with ANY absinthe, and was lovely, and languid, reminiscent of a Belle Epoque snow globe.

The aroma was minty, and slighty fruity from the wondrous, generous Pontarlier wormwood, great fennel, and fine anise.

The flavor was tightly bound, and yet the individual components were also quite discernible, a truly remarkable feat. My only complaint was that there was a bit too much alcoholic heat, which slightly detracted from the great finish.

-Color-
Before Water: Pale amber.

After Water: Creamy straw with light green tint.

-Louche-
The impressive louche was repeatable with different methods (slow pour vs. brouilleur); nice bouncing tendrils and well defined, rolling fog bank.

-Aroma-
Before Water: Aroma is VERY floral with alcohol heat.

After Water: L'Art has one my favorite absinthe aromas of all time. Wonderfully, sweetly floral wormwood that's smoother than it is brisk; fruity; full, yet clean and refreshing.

-Flavor-
The great things in the aroma are reflected well in the flavor. Sweetly floral wormwood upfront with fruity herbaceousness and softly creamy support from anise and/or fennel section, followed by some mintyness as we move to the finish. I can't tell for sure but I suspect a subtle grape base contributes the great flavor profile. I'm amazed at how sweet and full this tastes without being cloying in the least.

-Finish-
Here we start to get a bit more brisk zing from the wormwood as the sweetness fades cleanly with a pinch of alcohol heat and perhaps a specter of spice.

-Overall-
Could be a 4 or a 5; It's at least as good as the best COs that I've tried and is only eclipsed by some pre-ban I've sampled. Some folks may look for more complexity, contrast or depth, but for me the uniquely refreshing flavor really transports me; it's almost like some kind of anti-candy. Too bad it's no longer for sale, but I'm grateful for the chance to try it.

COLOR: Rather pale yellow-green. Natural with good clarity.

LOUCHE: Oil trails turn rather suddenly to faintly green-hued opalescence. What I would consider to be medium-thickness at a 3:1 dilution ratio.

AROMA: Quite minty at first, followed by more delicate herbal tones. Very clean, almost mouth-watering.

FLAVOR: Fresh tasting mintiness with just enough anise/fennel to round out the wormwood. Not bitter, but a bit spicy in a very tasty way. I added no sugar.

FINISH: Smooth and mildly dry with a little numbing. Lingers pleasantly, making you want another sip. And another after that.

OVERALL: A very nice drink, one of the best I've tried to this point. Obviously crafted with high quality ingredients. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to sample this delicious absinthe!

I prepared this glass of absinthe at 3:1, without sugar.

The appearance out of the bottle was a light green color, very nice.

The louche on this absinthe builds slowly and steadily. It's a little bit thinner than I would like.

The aroma is very wormwood dominant along with some other absinthe herbs.

The flavor is perfect. I love the flavor on this absinthe. The wormwood is strong but not too much. It isn't astringent or bitter. The sweetness of the anise and fennel compliment this absinthe very nicely. I wish more brands had this level of wormwood flavor.

The finish lasts for quite a while and leaves a pleasant vegetal flavor.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE: I enjoyed my sample at an approximate 3:1 ratio from an ice cold fountain of spring water, with a half cube sugar. The sample I was given had been at rest for at least 3 years now, properly stored. I think this may have had a positive effect on the previously reported heat, as there was none detectable, but possibly a negative effect on the color, more explained about that below.

COLOR: 4/5 - The color was green, with green highlights! There was no sign of sediment visible. The sample somewhat lacked that gem-like radiance, maybe an effect of aging, it did not shine with that illumination that would have pushed it into an Excellent rating. Still very, very acceptably pleasant.

LOUCHE: 5/5 - Very entertaining to watch! Slow oily trails that build with the first few splashes of cold water. These trails thicken and the swirling and layering in the drink brings out a stained-glass resemblance, with emulsion occurring thereafter, finishing to a pearlescent, opaque, minty-green. The spoon in my full glass was only visible about 3/4" beneath the surface.

AROMA: 4/5 - Quality herbs, and it is immediately noticeable upon first whiff of the cork/lid (this is how I get the best subtle whiff of straight liquor). Comments below represent opinion after louching.
Strong glorious wormwood front on the nose intro, backed by subtle fennel and sweet anise. Soft minty pontica. Attractive bouquet, but did not seem to perfume the area further than a foot or two from my glass, even during louche, hence I can't mark it as "expansive".

FLAVOR: 5/5 - Flavor very closely matched aroma. Well-executed, classic Pontarlier, which is exactly what I believe the creator was after. Quality coloring herbs gave the product a naturally floral tinge behind the strong presence of the holy trinity, with that aromatic A.a. in the driver's seat.

FINISH: 5/5 - Long-lasting wormwood bitterness perfectly balanced by fennel and anise, with some fruity piquancy on the back of the tongue. Satin finish to the louche that was very nice at 3:1, and I can only imagine it to be able to hold such a characteristic up to, if not beyond 4:1, but I like my drink a little strong. Flavor keeps going and going.

OVERALL: 5/5 - This is what I had envisioned the absinthe experience to be all about. The taste and aroma of this drink were captivating and engaging. Since I have sampled this absinthe, my repertoire has more than doubled, and this still remains a reference to me (and probably always will). I wish I were around for the inception of this brand, but consider myself extremely! lucky to have, through a very generous individual, been able to sample such a deserving spirit.