Absente Absinthe Refined (75cl, 55%)

A French absinthe from Distilleries et Domaines de Provence in Forcalquier, Provence, a house founded in 1898. It is made from a beet neutral spirit base macerated and distilled with wormwood and companion botanicals, and is bottled at 55% ABV. Botanicals include grande wormwood, green anise, star anise, lemon balm, peppermint, mugwort and spices. The brand presents it as the first absinthe legally sold in the United States since the 1912 ban. Per the importer and producer, the aroma is subtle absinthe with anise, mint and spices. Aniseed comes first on the palate, then a more structured middle from the mugwort, finishing fresh and spicy with absinthe, lemon balm and mint. It louches, turning cloudy and opalescent, when cold water is added.