est. 2007

Un Emile Blanche review:

-68% abv, .7 litre

-Country of origin: France

**Please note that the full size bottle is topped by a screw cap, not a cork as shown in the sample bottle above**

This is one of the earlier absinthes I never had a chance to try back in its heyday, but it actually used to be considered a good blanche...which only proves how far we've come in the last few years.

This one smells mostly of fennel and anise with some definite heat in there, but fails to pack much of a punch.  Visual appeal takes a huge blow due to a faint rust tint, which has no place in a blanche spirit.  At  1:1 aside from some decent oil swirlies there is still no sign of translucency.  The only thing it manages to excel at is delivering the disappointment of an underwhelming conclusion, never becoming opaque.  The bouquet opens up to become...not much of anything.   The anise stays at about the same intensity  with a little fennel peaking out from behind the alcohol.  Yawn.

The coriander, which can be tasted better at a slightly higher dilution, is in good measure throughout the sip, staying on the sidelines but just keeping pace with the game to keep its presence known.  Anise is at the forefront initially, with fennel entering soon thereafter.  It's a decent balancing act, but nothing really stands out to contribute to a refreshing quality.  It lacks longevity as severely as its absence of boldness.  To be blunt, it is a dull, blink-and-you'll-miss-it depth of flavour.  Not as sweet as a typical blanche, and actually a touch of heat.  There's also an unpleasant lingering of the wormwood for quite a while afterward that is bothersome, so have a glass of water standing by.  Then again, you should have a glass of water anytime, even when not consuming alcohol.  Yes, I'm talking to you, you soda-slurping delinquents.  It rolls nicely in the mouth, but again, like every other aspect it is only slightly above average.  Numbness comes in waves during peaks in flavour, but does not render your tongue completely helpless, thankfully.

Sugar does seem to benefit the drink somewhat, making the flavours deepen and become more harmonious as a more rich bouquet emerges. I definitely suggest drinking with sugar, as it steps up every criteria a (small) notch.  Finishing my second glass with sugar raised my score slightly.  A third affirmed my position.  I was going to have a fourth, but much like Kubler, my sample has been exhausted.  I think we can all agree that my guzzling of even a mediocre absinthe like this solidifies my suspicions of alcoholism,...or is it absinthism?  Either way, I'm one step closer to an intervention.  Cross your fingers my friends will keep their distance for the sake of the publication, people.

If I had to sum this up in one word: blah.  I'm not dumping it out, but I am passing it by.  I suggest you do the same...

Presentation: 4..0

Louche 4.0

Taste: 5.5

Value: 4.0

Overall: 5.0

Posted 12/26/07