- Absinthe Substitutes
- Absente
Absente
Product Details
Available in USA?
Style/Color
Verte
Degrees ABV (% alcohol)
55
Year of Make (if known)
1999
Country of Origin
France
Distillery
Distilleries et Domaines de Provence
Website
https://www.absente.com/
Wormwood Society Editor Comments
Despite the distributor’s comments, Absente is not an absinthe. Absinthe must contain Artemisia absinthium, hence the name. Southern wormwood, Artemisia abrotanum, is one of many species of Artemisia commonly called “wormwood”. It is not “petite wormwood”, which is Artemisia pontica, an authentic absinthe ingredient.
Available via online retailers
Yes
Editor review
1 review
Disappointing how popular this still is
(Updated: January 08, 2026)
Overall rating
2.7
Appearance
3.0
Aroma
3.5
Louche
2.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
2.5
Finish
2.5
Overall
2.5
Appearance: the good news is that the color is a good approximation of a true absinthe. The bad news is that it's artificially colored.
Louche: builds nicely and is correct
Aroma: surprisingly light. Not much there.
Flavor: insipid yet cloying. Quite bland aside from the familiar twang of Star anise. Definitely not herbaceous and flavorful like a well made brand. It totally lacks complexity.
Finish: quite numbing, with Star anise that lingers for quite some time. A sweetness sits on the palate as well.
Overall: This isn't something I'd recommend. Not only due to their constant misleading and irresponsible marketing, but also because it's quite obviously a brand that takes a lot of shortcuts. I wish they'd spend more money on the product and less on marketing.
Louche: builds nicely and is correct
Aroma: surprisingly light. Not much there.
Flavor: insipid yet cloying. Quite bland aside from the familiar twang of Star anise. Definitely not herbaceous and flavorful like a well made brand. It totally lacks complexity.
Finish: quite numbing, with Star anise that lingers for quite some time. A sweetness sits on the palate as well.
Overall: This isn't something I'd recommend. Not only due to their constant misleading and irresponsible marketing, but also because it's quite obviously a brand that takes a lot of shortcuts. I wish they'd spend more money on the product and less on marketing.
BR
User reviews
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