This is one of my favorite absinthes. It has a very different nose and flavor from many anise-heavy (if not anise-overloaded) absinthes of modern manufacture. Upon opening the bottle, the scent of wormwood is very pronounced and pleasant. Rather than overwhelming, the effect is alluring and intriguing like incense.
I don't put much value on louche. The more anise, the denser the louche, and the more exciting to watch it form (depending on what excites you). Compared to others, this absinthe has a light, unexciting-to-watch louche because there is less anise. Big deal. I have lava lamps for that.
On the tongue the wormwood becomes regal and dominates easily, while the anise/fennel flavors follow it at a respectful distance, in perfect compliment, like footmen carrying the monarch's train. Tasting this was a very enjoyable drinking experience, all the way to the last few sips.

Appearance: A near perfect but deep and dark peridot color. Very clear and pristine appearing.

Louche: There is a large variance inn hue once the louche is finished. The louche ends at a perfect translucence and displays many hues in the light as well as large light blue bands at the edges.

Aroma: Mint, anise, and a very menthol smelling wormwood are very pronounced alond with notes of petite wormwood and hyssop. The scent fills the immediate air and it is very sweet smelling on the scent-finish. The menthol note makes it smell a bit heavy and medicinal as well.

Flavor: The menthol wormwood, mint, and hyssop burst forth. There is a smooth texture and some spice notes from heavy pontica use as well. The medicinal camphor is distracting and this absinthe might benefit from a higher dilution and sugar use for those who don't normally do so.

Finish: Bitter and lingering flavor that leads to a sweeter anise finish. It's slightly astringent and feels crisp as well as lasting a long time. Once again the medicinal feel is distracting.

Overall: The medicinal nature hurts this otherwise excellent and quality absinthe. It's certainly an absinthe with character and bound to polarize people into love it or hate it camps. I personally like it a lot but it is not your typical commercial offering at all.

*Received as sample in absinthe explore set from absinthes.com

Appearance - Clear, attractive, and natural. In fact, it was the most obviously "natural" color among our samples - there is nothing artificial about its appearance.

Louche - While pleasant enough, Roquette doesn't put on the spectacular show that some of the other samples provided. However, once louched, it was correct in appearance: not too opaque or translucent.

Aroma - This was the point when we knew we had something special. The aroma of the herbs in perfect balance filled the entire room. As soon as the water hit the absinthe, it was as if we had fallen into an herb garden.

Flavor - Extremely interesting. This is not what we had pictured when we thought of "absinthe" (wormwood and anise). This is much more complex with many more colors going on aside from the usual suspects. To be so rich and complex, it is extraordinarily well-balanced. There is nothing that stands out too much and overshadows the other players - everything complements the product as a whole.

Finish - Long-lasting and pleasant herbal finish. It definitely adds to the experience.

Overall - Of our ten samples, this was the favorite. Although it was vastly different than the other absinthes, there was something "extra" with this one. It is definitely not typical or pedestrian, but truly felt artisanal as opposed to a mass produced product. This will definitely have a home in our collection.

Color- Inviting peridot. A tad too weak but attractive.

Louche- Not too many oil trails but more of a slow transformation of cloudiness with a sizable miniscus until about a 2:1 ratio. Correct opalescense when fully louched.

Aroma- Very rounded aroma of Wormwood & fennel. Multi-layered with herbacousnes that's covered with powdery hyssop and other herbs that I can't decipher. Interestingly, this reminds me a lot of PF 1901.

Flavor- Rounded just like the aroma. Expansive in the mouth. Wormwood and hyssop mix with flavors that are carmely and woody. Full bodied and balanced with nuanced flavors.

Finish- A bit of alcohol heat with the wormwood bite. Anise lens it's presence towards the end of the finish.

Overall- It appears to me that although almost everyone can agree that it's a well made absinthe some just don't like the flavor profile. I happen to enjoy it a great deal.

From 2008 batch at 3:1, then 4:1 at 2nd tasting.

*Note upon revisiting (doesn't affect score): at 4:1, I was able to get a slightly thicker louche. It is so slow forming, that stopping at a lower dilution does not allow it form as fully. Still thin, but more of an opal quality at 4:1, and even up to 5:1, where I enjoyed the flavor much more! Initially, I thought it would get thinner looking with more water...surprise!

Color: Lovely jewel-like green, but a just a tad weak.
After louche color was quite nice.

Louche: Strong promising trails and jellies. I thought "Nice...it's so slow forming", but then it stayed so thin, even at 3:1 that I felt let down. 2nd tasting, went to 4:1 and it was actually a thicker louche!

Aroma: Before adding water, it was delicious, after the louche however, I found it unbalanced and a bit "off" in its balance for my tastes. Very medicinal, vegetal and herbal. I give it a 4 only due to the wonderful pre-louch aroma.

Flavor: Wow...different. Not really my favorite profile, but interesting and strong. Still, tasty, Again, very herbal and medicinal tasting, yet balance and quality. Very clear wormwood and fennel, anise is there, but not right up in your face. A bit more anise in there, and I would love this flavor. A bit of alcohol in there as well... not enough to mark it down, but I noticed it. At 4:1, the achohol bite was gone and the flavor opened up nicely. I can see some people really liking this. I give it a 4 as I think they did a good job representing something faithfully, and it has its place.

Finish: One of the nicest aspects of this absinthe. Layered and complex. Just the right bitter and linger. A tad of alcohol heat in the finish, but not enough to mark it down.


I'd say it's important to sample this just for the unique flavor profile. I liked it much more the 2nd time around, and appreciated its totally unique personality.