10 Best Absinthe Brands To Try
We chose the Finalists for our Top 10 Absinthe Review according to their overall combination of taste, aroma and price to allow you to make a decision based on the most important aspects of an absinthe. Reviews for top absinthe brands are included for those who are interested in the more intricate details of the tastings performed and review criteria used.
Jade 1901 Absinthe Review
Color
Jade 1901 has a spectacular color. Bright light to medium, crystal clear Peridot that is no doubt natural with no sediment. Combier Distillery France
Louche
Thick, delicious trails begin very quickly and spread throughout immediately. At a ratio of 3:1, louche had a beautiful, thick white slightly hinting toward emerald color. One of the best louching absinthes I’ve seen.
Aroma
Very nice with anise in the lead. Fragrance of other botanicals is layered and subtle. As with all Jade absinthes, while louching the gorgeous aroma expands to fill the entire room. An impressive and inviting experience making you want to proceed to tasting.
Flavor
Absolutely delicious. Early on, you experience the anise with the remaining herbs following in a beautiful balance. An absolutely tasty, light and refreshing drink. The most subdued tasting of all the Jade’s makes a lasting impression after the first taste.
Finish
The finish is crisp, flowery and wonderful. Wormwood with other herbs slowly fade. With a louche so thick, I expected a more pronounced taste and finish. The taste is certainly not absent but is crisper than the other Jades. This would be a great place for a beginner to start if looking for an absinthe that will not overwhelm.
Final Impression
Jade 1901 is a delicate, light and tasty drink that is both a pleasure to prepare and enjoy.
Jade V.S. 1898 Absinthe Review
Color
Jade V.S. 1898 is a beautiful, dark emerald with a ever so slight brown tint. Without question it is naturally colored. Translucent with no sign of sediment. Combier Distillery France
Louche
As with all Jade absinthe, the louche begins immediately and ends with a full, milky appearance at 1:1 ratio. Gorgeous to watch.
Aroma
Outstanding before, during and after louching! Full bouquet of botanicals as soon as it enters the glass and continues to grow while adding water. Alcohol is detectable but does not over power the floral notes.
Flavor
V.S. 1898 has a complex flavor profile with the herbs very pronounced yet completely balanced. The aroma and flavor combine into quite an impressive taste. You’ll definitely want to savor this drink repeatedly.
Finish
A very satisfying finish of the myriad of flavors slowly fades with a very slight edge of mint. Wormwood is present but no bitterness.
Final Impression
This is an incredible absinthe from Jade. Full of flavor like no other I’ve tasted. A definite must try and a favorite review.
Jade Nouvelle-Orléans Absinthe Review
Color
Jade Nouvelle-Orléans Absinthe is a spectacular, crystal clear peridot. No sediment and crystal clear. Combier Distillery France
Louche
Wonderful icy trails that start out subtle and spread completely throughout. At a ratio of 3:1, the louche was an absolutely beautiful white with an ever so light hint of emerald.
Aroma
Very complex. Like a bouquet, the fragrance is layered and subtle. I had thought the Aroma was too weak to really fill the room then my neighbor stopped by and announced “My God you’re place smells wonderful!”
Flavor
This was a pleasure to review. Absolutely incredible! An up front dazzle of Anise sweet but by no means candy sweet. A bite of bitter but nothing you would call sharp or unpleasant. It’s a perfect delicate balance of faint flavors and powerful ones without any one flavor overpowering another. Just an absolutely delicious and refreshing drink.
Finish
The after taste leaves an herbal and almost floral like complexity of subtle notes and tones. Crisp and wonderful. The Louche while it looks much thicker than it really is has a nice light body to it and ever so slight creamy texture. As mentioned, it’s silky and smooth and an absolute delight to drink.
Final Impression
The Jade Nouvelle-Orléans was pretty close to what I imagined Absinthe to be. Wonderfully complex without being obtrusive. Delicate and filled with so many background notes of flavors I really again, can only describe as floral. It’s an absolute pleasure to both prepare and enjoy. One of our favorite Absinthe Reviews.
Absinthe Moulin Verte Review
Color
A verte that is light peridot with a slight hint of yellow lending an unusual color yet natural looking. No visible sediment in the bottle.
Louche
The louche begins quickly and at about 1:3 is complete. Louche tends toward the thinner side and adding too much water will definitely thin the louche even more.
Aroma
Herbal notes are quickly noticeable and while louching, the aroma seems to fade a little.
Flavor
Flavor is very good with anise and wormwood most prevalent with very little bitterness. A very fresh, green taste is also present.
Finish
The finish of wormwood and anise fades rather quickly. No strong alcohol taste is present
Final Impression
This is a very good absinthe but not a great absinthe. At this price point, it will totally suit a light drink for anyone interesting in trying it. Don’t let the price fool you, this is a quality made absinthe.
Suisse La Bleue Absinthe Review
Color
A La Bleue that is perfectly, sparkling clear.
Louche
Louched appears quickly and is milky white. Final color has no bluish-gray highlights as far as I can see.
Aroma
Herbal notes are pronounced while pouring and louching. Very nice. No alcohol heat neat or louched. Very clean, fresh, and natural.
Flavor
Flavor is beautiful balance of the absinthe trinity. A fresh, herbal impression. Everything about the is creamy, balanced and fresh.
Finish
Immensely pleasurable as the Trinity slowly fades. No alcohol taste or heat
Final Impression
This is an exceptional, blanch absinthe at a terrific price point. Don’t let the price fool you, this is a quality, premium made absinthe.
Grön Opal Absinthe Review
Color
A beautifully vibrant peridot green with no visible sediment. Svensk Absint Distillery
Louche
Louche appears quickly and is thick and milky. Reminds me of the thick louche of Jade brand absinthes. Louche has a nice green and opalescent tint.
Aroma
Minty and fresh along with a strong herbal profile. Wormwood is definitely present with the green anise, fennel and citrus easily noticeable.
Flavor
Thick and refreshing with an ever so slight numbing feel. Perfect balance between wormwood, green anise, and fennel giving a fruity, sweetness and again the delicious citrus undertone.
Finish
Immensely pleasurable as the ultra smooth taste slowly fades.
Final Impression
An incredible absinthe I consider truly one of the greats. Try this one as soon as you can.
Gold 68 Absinthe Review
Color
Clear, light gold and natural with no visible sediment.
Louche
Louche begins immediately and starts building from the very first drops. Completely louched at a 1:1 ratio. Thick and deep.
Aroma
Sweet, clean and delicious. Beautifully crisp with a slight variation from traditional blanche or la bleue.
Flavor
Gold68 is a non-traditional Absinthe, as anise is skipped from the ingredient list to avoid a dominating licorice taste. Stimulating citrus notes are present, which give this naturally bitter Absinthe a pleasant body.
Finish
Beautiful minty and floral with the characteristic notes of alpine herbs as you would expect.
Final Impression
This absinthe is superior to many blanche/la bleau absinthe around today. Definitely a worthwhile addition to your top shelf.
Suisse Verte Absinthe Review
Color
Suisse Verte is light peridot with an slight yellow tint. Color is definitely natural and quite nice with zero sediment.
Louche
Impressive. Nice oil trails and a lazy roll of turbulent waves that puff up at the bottom of the glass. It’s like watching storm clouds in slow motion. The color is typical, milky white with the a slight green tint.
Aroma
A lovely herbal and floral nose with the Anise and Fennel. At 68% , there is no heat from the alcohol which is a definite plus.
Flavor
Delicious Sans Sucre. The Wormwood is moderate yet up front. It’s savory and complex. A very nice Swiss Absinthe.
Finish
A completely satisfying end to the drink. All the botanicals slowly mellow into a memory.
Final Impression
This absinthe provides a great value. More sophisticated palates may long for deeper complexity. It’s not that it lacks delicate nuances, they’re just not over-pronounced. Suisse Verte is lovely, crisp and flavorful.
Absinthe Verte Édition Barrique Review
Color
Verte Édition Barrique Absinthe is a very nice gold with a brownish/yellow tint with no clouding or sediment.
Louche
The louche begins slowly and at 3:1 the louche is complete.
Aroma
Sweet and floral with a hint of caramel. Anise is present and also something spicy.
Flavor
Verte Édition Barrique is a barrel-aged Absinthe made from a traditional recipe then further aged in French oak white wine barrels from the Loire region. The result is a very smooth Absinthe with complex notes of vanilla and toffee
Finish
The finish slowly fades from anise and wormwood with a light, crisp mouth feel.
Final Impression
Although different from other absinthe brands, Verte Édition Barrique is a unique and differently delicious taste.
