*Received as sample in absinthe explore set from absinthes.com

Appearance - Beautiful, clear green. Nothing spectacular, but correct, natural, and attractive.

Louche - Very nice to watch, but a little opaque in comparison to some other offerings.

Aroma - Good balance of herbal notes and anise, but there is something else there that is more difficult to identify. It is definitely a floral scent, but not sure what it is - it seems strangely similar to an artificial citrus (lemon/lime) like that found in sports drinks.

Flavor - While some herbal-centric absinthes seem highly complex and balanced, this one seems a little "off." The wormwood is upfront, but has no direct complements from the other herbs and very little anise (again, this was from a sample, so I'm not sure if the different versions may be coming into play).

Finish - There didn't seem to be much of a finish with this absinthe. First you taste it, then you don't. It goes away very quickly.

Overall - Of the ten sampled absinthes, this fell in the bottom two. While I can see the appeal of a strong wormwood flavor, this one doesn't really do it well in comparison to other, more complex absinthes.

*Edit: Angelique now has far less wormwood being used in its coloration, hence the huge difference in my impressions on bitterness, and those in the other review. It is a vast improvement according to those who have had both.

I have to say, this is quite delicious. It does require sugar for me, as there is a slight bitterness, but it is not objectionable. It is in fact, a welcomed, powerful presence. Prepared at 4:1 with 1 sugar.

Appearance: a natural pretty light green with a tiny touch of gold. The color and thickness after the louche is very pretty as well.

Louche: Even forming, thick without being milky, and frankly, perfect.

Aroma: Clean, fresh and crisp. Plenty of strong Wormwood, fennel and anise; in fact, it reminded me of being in Claude-Alain's distillery. I opened the bottle, and was taken back to Boveresse. The simple, true absinthe aroma was undeniable, and very welcome.

Flavor: Clean, crisp, balanced, and delicious. There is a slightly bitter and in your face wormwood, but it is quality, and I didn't mind at all. The fennel is sweet and grabs you, and the superb anise is perfectly in the mix. With one sugar, it all came together, with a candy-like personality. I likely would have not enjoyed it as much without the sugar. I did not find an excessive bitterness that overwhelmed in any way.

Finish: Quite nice; complex, tingly, layered. The mouthfeel is rich and velvety without being too thick. A modest but appropriate linger. There is a tiny bit of tongue numbing in the finish, but it is not objectionable.

Angelique was the first absinthe from Switzerland to be coloured verte and using wormwood in that process. A typical love-or-hate absinthe, coming from reliable Artemisia distillery.



Colour: very delicate greenish tinge, striving towards yellow, indicates traditional and natural colouration but for my taste could be much darker.



Louche: not too hasty, forms slowly, nice.



Aroma: inviting, herbal, alcoholic, fennel tries to overpower angelica and wormwood, finally absinthe from Switzerland where anise knows its place.



Flavour: Very complex, fiery and spicy, strong wormwoodiness follows the rest and the spiciness burns like a torch on the palate, very pleasant sensation.



Finish: Short-lived, wormwood and angelica, some anise fades away.



Overall: I do not perceive there that awful bitterness some were complaining about, this is very good, well-balanced absinthe which might benefit from stronger colouration.