Authentique

Appearance: A darker shade of green than normal, but not in a bad way. Kind of a mix between peridot and forest green. Attractive.

Louche: A very nice, bright, white and green louche. Not too thick, not too thin. Just right. The heavier coloration helps retain quite a bit of green color in the fully louched product.

Aroma: Herbal, spicy and clean. Spice, anise, and some minty wormwood. Complex and inviting.

Flavor: Surprisingly subdued for the amount of aroma. It's very smooth and easy to drink. The herbs meld well with each other, with the anise and wormwood appearing equally, without sparring for superiority. Hints of spearmint.

Finish: The anise plays a supporting role, while the wormwood comes out a bit more, but without much astringency. It lingers on the tongue for quite a while and provides a noticeable amount (not in a bad way) of numbing.

Overall: Another winner from Emile Pernot. Unlike products like Berthe de Joux, Maison Fontaine, Roquette or Sauvage, which work hard to bring out the massive wormwood flavors, this absinthe is more balanced and a bit less medicinal. Quite enjoyable as a traditionally flavored absinthe.