Helfrich blanche - Reviewed by Experts and Consumers at The Wormwood Society
0
Product Details
Style/Color
Degrees ABV (% alcohol)
Year of Make (if known)
Country of Origin
Distillery
User reviews
2 reviews
Overall rating
4.4
Appearance
5.0(2)
Louche
4.5(2)
Aroma
4.5(2)
Flavor / Mouthfeel
4.5(2)
Finish
4.0(2)
Overall
4.0(2)
Tasty Oddity
(Updated: October 29, 2024)
Overall rating
4.3
Appearance
5.0
Louche
5.0
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
4.0
Finish
4.0
Overall
4.0
-Color-
Before Water: Crystal clear.
After Water: Opalescent white with copper and blue highlights; nice oil slicks on the surface.
-Louche-
Good paced action; a well defined cloud bank builds up with yet another distinct clear layer of jellies, then a clear unjellied top layer.
-Aroma-
Before Water: Intriguing, alpine, floral, and herbal.
After Water: The intrigue is still there, strongly reminiscent of tarragon but with less pungence and more briskness. Clear anise/fennel underpinning with citrus/coriander suggestions in the background. Odd but good.
-Flavor-
As with the aroma, an interesting herbaceous flavor that I initially found very tarragonish, but not in a bad way. Upon further taste exploration, I believe this may be due in large part to good wormwood commingling with a powerful expression of very high quality chamomile. Anise and fennel are the foundation, but are in no way shy, and I believe add a bit of nice fruitiness to go along with everything else. This was a super tough choice between a 4 or a 5, one of those times I wish I could give a 4.5.
-Finish-
Adequately round/full bodied at the start, then turns into crisp and palate cleansing by mid sip. Nice minty finish, but I wish the zing lasted just a bit longer.
-Overall-
Another very unique absinthe from Helfrich. I can see that its quirky, distinct flavor might not be for everyone. But if you're feeling adventurous and can get a hold of one the dwindling bottles, I think you'll find it's a terrific blanche and a refreshing deviation if you need a la bleue break. Conjures pseudo-memories of kicking back in a wooden lounger outside a lodge on a sunny but cold alpine morning.
Notes: 3:1 iced brouille, no sugar.
Before Water: Crystal clear.
After Water: Opalescent white with copper and blue highlights; nice oil slicks on the surface.
-Louche-
Good paced action; a well defined cloud bank builds up with yet another distinct clear layer of jellies, then a clear unjellied top layer.
-Aroma-
Before Water: Intriguing, alpine, floral, and herbal.
After Water: The intrigue is still there, strongly reminiscent of tarragon but with less pungence and more briskness. Clear anise/fennel underpinning with citrus/coriander suggestions in the background. Odd but good.
-Flavor-
As with the aroma, an interesting herbaceous flavor that I initially found very tarragonish, but not in a bad way. Upon further taste exploration, I believe this may be due in large part to good wormwood commingling with a powerful expression of very high quality chamomile. Anise and fennel are the foundation, but are in no way shy, and I believe add a bit of nice fruitiness to go along with everything else. This was a super tough choice between a 4 or a 5, one of those times I wish I could give a 4.5.
-Finish-
Adequately round/full bodied at the start, then turns into crisp and palate cleansing by mid sip. Nice minty finish, but I wish the zing lasted just a bit longer.
-Overall-
Another very unique absinthe from Helfrich. I can see that its quirky, distinct flavor might not be for everyone. But if you're feeling adventurous and can get a hold of one the dwindling bottles, I think you'll find it's a terrific blanche and a refreshing deviation if you need a la bleue break. Conjures pseudo-memories of kicking back in a wooden lounger outside a lodge on a sunny but cold alpine morning.
Notes: 3:1 iced brouille, no sugar.
G
That one shines like a pearl
(Updated: October 29, 2024)
Overall rating
4.5
Appearance
5.0
Louche
4.0
Aroma
5.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
5.0
Finish
4.0
Overall
4.0
Colour: perfectly clear.
Louche: similar as in verte but quicker and more spectacular.
Aroma: Roman chamomile, wormwood, very, very herbal, pleasant and really inviting.
Flavour: bold, decisive, with long-lingering wormwoodiness and neverending dance of herbacousness. Roman chamomile is evident and provides a strong, masculine attack on the palate.
Finish: slightly anisy with herbal goodness. Kinda bitter and floral at the same time.
Overall: Exceptional blanche coming from the hands of an artist.
Louche: similar as in verte but quicker and more spectacular.
Aroma: Roman chamomile, wormwood, very, very herbal, pleasant and really inviting.
Flavour: bold, decisive, with long-lingering wormwoodiness and neverending dance of herbacousness. Roman chamomile is evident and provides a strong, masculine attack on the palate.
Finish: slightly anisy with herbal goodness. Kinda bitter and floral at the same time.
Overall: Exceptional blanche coming from the hands of an artist.
A