This is one of my favorites. Although I had to detract some points in the color and louche categories, this product more than makes up for it in flavor. While the color approaches that medicine green you see in a few other brands, it doesn't look artificial (or minimally so). The louche is slightly more sophisticated than average and although the aroma is nice, it doesn't fill the room with a bouquet of scents. The flavor is superior. It is complex, but not overly so. It is rather sweet, with a dominant anise flavor, completed by a subtle bitterness of wormwood. And the finish is very clean. In many ways, it's difficult to even taste the alcohol and no aftertaste is left behind.



All this, and it comes in a really nice bottle. This is one brand I intend to keep stocked.

Louching was done with a Carafe as my fountain was drying and taken apart. No sugar added either. glass used was a cordon.



Preparation:

I opened the bottle and let it breathe for a good 10-12 minutes while I stocked the dishwasher and put on some light jazz. After the 12 minutes. I poured it into the cordon glass and let it breath for an additional 10 minutes.



Color:

Color was a very natural emerald green with crystal clear transparency. Better than some of the others I've seen which also reside on my bar. No traces of residue other than a small speck of wax from the t-cork sealant (but you didn't need to know that did you, because it's my fault it got in there). After holding it up to the light you can really see it's transparent properties. Overall very pretty:



Aroma Before:

Aroma before louche was actually a bit unexpected. While not terrible, based on what I'd read I figured it'd be a bit more characteristic and in line with the praise often awarded to the Jades. While the traditional anis notes were present with a supporting herbal bouquet, there was a bit of an overpowering alcohol note which when didn't even out even after letting the bottle and glass breathe for a 10-12 minutes each. While still not as "alcohol" based as the fragrance from the Un Emile 68. It was not something I was expecting from the Roquette.



Louche:

This is where it started to get good. Total Louche time was 9 minutes and change from a carafe. The first 3 minutes I was treated to quite the active dance of oil trails. This is probably one of the most active and mesmerizing louche-introductions I've seen to date. Louching started after about 3.5 minutes of dripping the water slowly. The Louche itself took some time to develop and was a bit on the thin side while still maintaining opacity from the side. Not terrible by any means but even when fully louched some depth could be seen from the side of the glass. Reservoir was outlined with a slight amber hue and a bit more translucent than the main portion of the glass.



Looking top down I could faintly see the bottom of the glass a bit. A thin louche seems to be a characteristic of this absinthe, though as I said. It's not at all ugly. for a 9 minute drip. I didn't even notice that I was losing feeling in my right arm. It was interesting and lively to watch.





Aroma After:

This is what I used for the judging scale as is stated in the guidelines. As usual, the louche really opened up the bouquet which permeated throughout the air as a most desirable fragrance. Gone were any traces of alcohol notes which were present pre-louche. The fragrance was quite herbal with strong notes of anis/fennel, also with supporting compliments from a seemingly complex array of herbs. The ever-so-slightest trace of what seemed to be citrus was also present.





Flavor:

Very Desirable. Sweet enough to possibly even warrant sugar lovers to try it without. While this is a bit sweeter than some, it doesn't at all taste artificial or overpowering. Just the natural sweetness of Anis/Fennel with prevalent notes of wormwood. There is definitely a spicy note worth mentioning, but even so still offers a refreshingly clean and well complimenting taste. All elements that make up the Roquette's flavor really complements one another. There is a definitely sense of balance with the Anis/Fennel/wormwood leading the pack as they should be.





Finish:

Feels good in the mouth with a quick swirl or 2. Not thick and syrupy, even a bit thin while still maintaining a smooth and creaminess. Upon swallowing one will observe a dryness which almost states that the Roquette has cleaned up after itself without leaving any unwanted aftertaste. A subtle taste of sweet anis is all that's left in one's mouth after a few short moments.





Overall:

Aside from the initial Alcohol notes observed during the pre-louched fragrance, and louche which finishes on a bit of the thin side, the Roquette definitely proves to be a great absinthe through and through. Definitely one of my favorites thus far along with the Duplais. Looking forward to my next glass sooner rather than later.

I'm very, very impressed with the 1797. To begin with, it's a gorgeous peridot green: clear and bright, but perfectly natural. With a slow drip of ice cold water, it louches to a pleasing jade green. Yes, the louche is a little on the thin side, but really only very slightly, and the lava lamp-like oil trails by which the louche builds are nothing short of mesmerizing. The aroma is clean and spicy and very pleasing, but could perhaps be a little more intense. The flavor, however, is absolutely delightful: an exquisite blend of spiciness and bitterness, with an arresting herbal intensity that nevertheless is never intrusive. The finish is slightly bitter but complex; this is where the "tonic" really comes through, but it only adds interest. There is nothing intrusive or distracting about this absinthe.



Yes, I'll have another, thank you. Christmas just got happier!

I received a bottle from France and eminently enjoyed it: it is certainly the best Absinthe I have had the pleasure to try.



The colour is delicately and subtle. The aroma is robust and the flavor and finish are distinctively brilliant. Outstanding in all respects.



Unlike most, I have not penalized Roquette for its subtle louche. Having grown in a country where the staple drink is Ouzo, i.e. a louche a merry-go-round, it is not clear to me why a blatant louche is desirable over a gloriously understated one!