est. 2007

Grande Absente Absinthe Review:

-69% abv, .75 litre

-Country of Origin: France

-Same distillery that brought you the toxic sludge that is Absente Refined

So, we not only have Grande Absente (from the creators of Absente Absinthe Refined) bringing an absinthe to the US, but giving us an exclusive 68 version.  Wow, aren’t Americans just so privileged to have our very own sub-par absinthe from France?  With so many years to work on an entirely new recipe, you’d think the nincompoops at Distilleries et Domaines would be able to get it right (or at least acceptable).  But from the taste of it, that would be too much to ask.

Grande Absente is very sharply alcoholic, none of the sweetness found in AR.  It gives rubbing alcohol a run for its money.  The louche isn’t too bad, but finishes with a dull colour for having that Absente-patented unmistakably lime shade.

At 2:1 taking a sip singed this poor nose of mine…had to get out the aloe vera gel and everything. Very muddy, alcoholic taste with a bothersome bitter finish that is almost undrinkable.  Diluting further it balances out significantly, but still is shy in showing any profound flavour. There’s plenty of fennel, anise and peppermint, but even at a 4:1 ratio there’s still a sharp, sterile background.  Not vomiting in the bathtub bad, mind you, but sterile and watered-down tasting overall.  Very little numbing due to bitterness dominating the finish.

Testing another glass with sugar, I found that sugar just makes matters worse.  Leave the sugar bowl the fuck alone.

As of this writing, GA is easily the worst absinthe in America.  Maybe in 5 years I can give their next absinthe a score above a 5?  At this rate, they should have a contender by the time I retire.

Other Notes:  Upon contacting the distillery, TARN was assured that GA is only exclusive to the US for a period and will eventually make its way onto other shores…yay.  Hopefully instead of upping production, they’ll just take the remaining bottles from us. 

By the way, excuse the sudden f-bomb…

Presentation: 4.5

Louche: 5.75

Taste: 4.25

Value: 2.0

Overall: 4.0

Published 9/28/2008