Vilya Blanche (formerly Ridge Blanche) - Reviewed by Experts and Consumers at The Wormwood Society

 
4.2 (3)
 
4.5 (9)
0

User reviews

5 reviews with 4 stars
9 reviews
 
44%
 
56%
3 stars
 
0%
2 stars
 
0%
1 star
 
0%
Overall rating
 
4.5
Appearance
 
4.8(9)
Louche
 
4.3(9)
Aroma
 
4.1(9)
Flavor / Mouthfeel
 
4.6(9)
Finish
 
4.4(9)
Overall
 
4.6(9)
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5 results - showing 1 - 5
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a bit spicy
Overall rating
 
4.4
Appearance
 
5.0
Louche
 
4.5
Aroma
 
3.5
Flavor / Mouthfeel
 
4.5
Finish
 
4.0
Overall
 
4.5
Appearance is crystal clear. I see no sediment or discoloration up close.
Louche- takes a while to start up but then it quickly becomes louched, without much of a show. Still, the end result is a very nice kind of pale, light-gray/white, with a touch of opalescence.
Aroma- Almost a perfume-like or even cologne fragrance. Very nice, but not very strong. In fact, I can barely smell it after louche with my nose right over the glass.
Flavor- I've always preferred a good verte to a good blanche, and this drink doesn't change that, but it tastes good enough that I begin to appreciate the blanche profile as it's own thing, rather than seeing it as an absinthe with something missing. Not an anise bomb. Fairly complex while also subtle. The anise/wormwood/fennel are there but I mainly notice a delicate spiciness, and something like ginger. Nice smooth mouthfeel.
Finish- nice and fresh/clean, like drinking spring water. That's how it makes me feel anyway... if that makes any sense. Doesn't stick around for very long though.

I feel like pointing out that my bottle is of the older stuff, labelled 'Ridge', even though I just bought it at the end of last year (2017). I only mention this because I think I've seen mention by the maker that they changed their recipe a bit for the later re-branded 'Vilya' product.It seems that some people think it's an improvement. I think if the newer stuff is much better than what I have, it must be an exceptional blanche. This is a very nice drink.
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Solid and very tasty offering
Overall rating
 
4.1
Appearance
 
4.0
Louche
 
4.0
Aroma
 
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
 
4.0
Finish
 
4.0
Overall
 
4.5
Appearance: Flawlessly clear

Louche: Pure white cloud, with a bluish hue in the light.

Aroma: Sweet and floral, with the wormwood drawing you in. Airy and fresh, with a nice pull of anise. Slightly complex; enough to hold your attention. I find it very refreshing.

Flavor: Upfront wormwood, with a nice, sweet sensation from anise, followed by fennel. Flowery perfume goodness, which closes in a nice pleasant bitterness that does not overwhelm. Overall juicy, and quite enjoyable.

Finish: There is wormwood here also in the finish. As it holds on to the taste buds, the other savory herbs cause a tingle on the tongue, that grabs you, and slowly recedes into a sweet and slightly bitter linger.

It is poetic how these flavors come together on the palate. A distinguished experience for all the senses. This absinthe is highly rated for a reason.



C
1 reviews
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A very fine blanche
Overall rating
 
4.0
Appearance
 
4.5
Louche
 
3.5
Aroma
 
4.5
Flavor / Mouthfeel
 
4.0
Finish
 
3.5
Overall
 
4.0
This is a very nice blanche, and though it does not compare to Ridge's verte, it is still quite respectable. The color is fine...perfectly clear with no trace of impurities. The aroma before and after water is very nice, both pleasing and bracing. The louche is rapid and the final color is an attractive if unremarkable white jade. Flavor and finish are good but unsubtle, and could use more complexity, even allowing for the typical character of a blanche as opposed to a verte. There is a strong impression of licorice in the flavor. Overall, I like this absinthe quite well. It is significantly better than Kubler, for example, though it does not have the interest or complexity of some of the best blanches.
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A very well-made blanche
(Updated: January 05, 2013)
Overall rating
 
4.3
Appearance
 
5.0
Louche
 
4.0
Aroma
 
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
 
4.5
Finish
 
4.0
Overall
 
4.0
Enjoyed at 4:1. no sugar

Appearance: This blanche is so perfectly clear and colorless, that when my glass was filled to the dose line, it looked empty. It was clear of any sediment, and was absolutely the pinnacle of how a blanche should look neat.

Louche: A well-formed louche that develops in an even slow build, unlike so many blanches which seem to be in a hurry. The final result was just thick enough to not be opaque, and still had refractive elements, and flashes of copper at the edges.

Aroma: A dry, clean and crisp wormwood-forward aroma. Flirting around its edges is a sweet floral fennel, with a delicate anise behind. Quite nice.

Flavor: The is a tasty and refreshing absinthe; it is crisp and dry, but has a bit more going on than a trad la Bleue; a bit more pepper, spice and depth. The wormwood is exceptional. I enjoy its delicious, light bitterness, and would not be tempted to ruin its character with sugar.

Finish: The finish follows the flavor very well, with a slow build. Pepper, and an almost gin-like dryness. Just as I though it was not going anywhere else, the citrus opened for the final linger.

This is an absinthe worth buying and enjoying. I am quite impressed that these folks grow, harvest, and prep their own wormwood.
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An Enjoyable Blanch with Plenty of Wormwood and Sp
Overall rating
 
4.2
Appearance
 
5.0
Louche
 
4.0
Aroma
 
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
 
4.0
Finish
 
4.0
Overall
 
4.0
This absinthe was reviewed on 1/31/11. Water was hand-poured from a pitcher and one sugar cube was used.

Appearance: Crystal clear and brilliant; free of any particulate matter or floaters

Louche: Nearly opaque, opalescent, attractive, not too thick

Aroma: Lots of wormwood and an earthy animale scent that I find present in better absinthes; sweet herbs, very room-penetrating

Flavor: Strong presence of wormwood, a nice amount of spice, these flavors flow into sweet fennel and anise

Finish: Medium length, continued sweetness and spice on the tongue

Overall: A very solid, pleasant blanche with plenty of wormwood character and spiciness. I would consider this a go-to blanche for regular consumption in my household.
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