Created by necessity, named by the roommate.
* 1 1/2 oz absinthe
* 4 oz tonic water (decent tonic water, not too cloying)
* Peychaud’s bitters
Absinthe
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94 PTS WINE ENTHUSIAST. Greenish gold in color, the nose has intense licorice notes, with aromas of lemon zest and camomile. The body is medium with a dry finish.
What intern was on the desk at Wine Enthusiast the day this came in?
The ‘intense licorice notes’ seem to be an overabundance of star anise in the front and middle body of this pastis. The chamomile is definitely present, but overall the herbal backdrop is very subdued. The finish is smooth but lacks complexity, probably for the same reason. For all that this is one of the older pastis on the market, and despite the distiller’s claim to use ‘10 herbs’ ‘just like in ancient times’ (1910 is ancient now?), this has the whiff of a fairly brash newcomer to the market: technically correct, but without art.
Color and louche are fantastic, the latter corroboratory evidence of the prevalence of oil-heavy anise. There was no attempt to chase a lurid green with too much mint or flowers, and no soapy mint aftertaste.
Overall, a very simple pastis; pleasant enough if you like anise, but not to be especially recommended. $30 at BevMo; $36 at my hoity-toity Noe Valley wine shop.
