Grande Absente Absinthe (75cl, 69%)

Grande Absente is a French absinthe from Provence, bottled at 69% and made by Distillerie et Domaines de Provence. It contains more wormwood and less sugar than the standard Absente, giving a drier and more herbal spirit. The botanicals include wormwood, green anise, star anise, mint, lemon balm, fennel and mugwort, which are macerated and distilled together. The nose is led by wormwood, with star anise, fennel, cardamom, allspice and cool mint. The palate is intense and bittersweet, with black liquorice, anise and gentian, and a dryish structure. The finish is hot and long, with orange oil, ginger and lingering wormwood bitterness.