Un Emile 68 Sapin

Color: Thin and very light. Straw color.

Louche: VERY slow to form, only beginning to appear after about two measures of water. It ends up appealing, but a bit thin.

Aroma: Peculiar. Not necessarily unpleasant, just odd. You've got the normal aroma of anise and wormwood, and then there's the pine, which is refreshing. But then there's an underlying mustiness that just doesn't fit.

Flavor: The flavor is totally unexpected. By how light the aroma and color are, you'd never expect such a powerful punch of intense flavors. There's a bit too much astringent bitterness which I didn't really care for. There's also a hint of alpiney crispness that you don't normally taste in absinthe. It's different from the alpine flavors of wormwood. It's a bit more piney. Surprise surprise. Overall, the bitterness is just too much to be able to enjoy a full glass.

Finish: Just too bitter, and it lasts much longer than I would like.

Overall: I don't really care for it. The pine isn't correct in the flavor profile. It's less piney and more bitter and musty. I won't buy it again, but I think I will definitely try it with sugar next time.