Revised down to a 4 after many having more blanches.

Color: Crystal water clear, no sediment

Aroma: Delicate, spicy and inviting

Louche: Developed evenly but fairly quickly with nice and clouding from the bottom up with a nice clear layer on top blending together right at end. A creamy whitish-blue with nice thickness.

Flavor: Don't let the "less fennel" make you think this does not taste like absinthe, the anise and wormwood are there, but so is a subdued background of fennel. Spices abound in this balanced tingly flavor.

Finish: Mouthfeel is not as thick as I'd like, and it could linger longer, but it is decent. It lingers on the tongue just long enough to be acceptable. There is a nice blend of pepper and citrus.

This is a light, spicy and tasty blanche. I've done a side by side of this to La Clandestine and like "Recette Marianne" a bit more.