Grande Absente Absinthe Originale (75cl, 69%)

Grande Absente Absinthe Originale is a true verte absinthe at 69% ABV in a 750ml bottle, distilled in Provence by Distilleries et Domaines de Provence. It is made from authentic grand wormwood plus around a dozen botanicals, including green anise, sweet fennel, peppermint, lemon balm and more, in a pre-ban style from 1860–1912. It is less sweet and more wormwood-forward than the 55% ABV Absente. The nose shows licorice candy and heavy anise with less fennel, along with wormwood, mint, anise and lemon balm. The palate is candylike but blazing hot neat; water adds a moderate louche and dulls the heat, leaving straightforward anise informed by red berry fruit and a note of ginger.