Les Fils d'Emile Pernod Bourgeois Absinthe

Appearance: A pale peridot green/yellow, clearly naturally colored from botanical maceration. The louche possesses a pleasing density and a pretty opalescent green hue with pearl highlights. It begins to louche quickly, as expected from a lower abv absinthe. Be cautious not to over-dilute this one as it is only 55% abv. Nose: Fresh anise and fennel with a complex and inviting vegetal/herbal backdrop. Wormwood is certainly present, tying the nose together with consummate precision, but the fresh notes are the standout here. This is a crisp, light nose – not bright nor harsh – but relaxed and almost fruity. There is a sprightly citrus quality. Palate: Crisp, fruity, and with good wormwood character. It is creamy and has a silky-satin texture. Beautifully composed. It’s not the most intense absinthe palate I’ve experienced by a long shot, but it is very appealing and has no off-notes at all. There is a foundational sweetness to the palate and a lack of “challenge” from the 55% abv that is welcome and pleasant. The finish is crisp, light, and sweet. Refreshing and almost effervescent with a sparkling “joie-de-vivre”. A lovely smooth, fresh, and light summery absinthe. Excellent stuff. At the comparatively low abv of 55% this might seem the poor cousin of the various absinthe offerings, but you could not be more mistaken. This is a richly flavored, high-grade absinthe crafted with expertise and passion. I would recommend it to anyone intent on exploring this spirit for the first time as a highly approachable and playful expression that does not pull punches. I'd also recommend a louche of no more than 1:4 as this will reduce the spirit to a little over 12%, which is the default sweet spot for most absinthes. Taking it higher rapidly drowns it, even just to 1:5 dilution. The original Bourgeois Absinthe was a famous brand that was advertised throughout France on a poster with the image of a kitten tasting a louched glass of absinthe. Sadly the original company disappeared a long time ago during the "dark days" but the recipe was revived by Les Fils d'Emile Pernot who have captured a glimpse of the original spirit with finesse and style. I’d recommend this absinthe highly to both novices and devotees of la fée verte. “Very Good”: 87/100 (4.25 stars)