Overall:
This is a very unique absinthe. It's not for everyone. This is an absinthe nerds absinthe. For people that love exploring new interpretations. It does make me feel a bit like I'm walking through a pine forest in Japan with a cup of lemonade.
Aroma:
Juniper, candied citrus peel, peppery, and shiso leaf before adding water. There's also a faint synthetic smell maybe from the base spirit, which seems to evaporate off as this sits. Once this is louched, it's like walking through a pine forest, and bright yuzu citrus peel. Not so peppery once water is added. It's much softer now.
Appearance:
Honey yellow peridot green. Now this louched color was very hard to describe, so I pulled up a color wheel to get a better description. Apparently this shade of green is known as "Kappa green." This is a creamy kappa green. I don't know if that was the intent of the distiller to create a louched color that's named after a Japanese folklore creature, but it's definitely interesting and clever if it was their objective. It has a nice white with faint baby blue ring around the edge.
Louche:
This absinthe wants to louche! The first drop of water hit with a thunderous white cloud instantly.
Taste:
Essence was a great title. This feels so light on the tongue. It feels like it floats to the roof of my mouth, then cascades down the sides. Very bright, vibrant flavor profile. Pine tree, citrus, szechuan peppercorn, and shiso leaves. It tingles the sides of the tongue like a szechuan peppercorn too. Sadly, there is a weird synthetic note that I can't quite describe. It's not totally off putting, I actually find it intriguing, but some people probably wouldn't enjoy it.
Finish:
Usually, once you swallow something the flavor begins to fade; however, this continues to build and evolve. Instead of citrus peel, now it's sweet and juicy citrus. The peppery notes turn soft, refreshing, and cooling. After a few minutes, it does quiet down a bit, and that citrus peel note triggers my salivary glands making me want another sip.