After having made a purchase of absinth(e) last year, some vendor or other included a small sample of Hill's as a free gift. I was somewhat glad, actually, considering that I wanted to sample one of the Czech absinths without having to pay for it, given the overwhelmingly negative reviews I'd heard and read.

Unscrewing the cap and taking a whiff, I was struck with the smell of strong alcohol, and not much else. Given that I didn't smell anything inappropriate to absinthe, I have to give the Hill's a 2 in this category.

In terms of louche, I have to say that in spite of what others have observed, I did detect a slight cloudiness. Granted, it was far too oily to be appropriate, but there was a little bit of activity.

As for the flavor, I can't add too much here that hasn't been said before. I imagine this is what a bottom shelf "mint vodka" might taste like. Yes, it truly is very "Scope"=like.

There was a noticeable numbing for the finish, but the razor-thin mouthfeel combined with a completely inappropriate flavor cannot earn the Hill's more than a 1 in this category.

This product is clearly not an absinthe in the authentic, historical sense of that liquor. As an ingredient in an unrelated mixed drink, it might be acceptable, but there was nothing about the Hill's which made me want to experiment with it in that capacity.

The worse yet the most marketed and accessible absinthe (without an e)... I had some with friends at different time, always when I was already fairly drunk... The last time I took one shot of it flame-style and all I had already drunk about ten pints of beer and I think this is what made me decorate in a very personal way my cab on return home!

OK let's be nice, this thing might make a good bitter in certain situations I suppose, but it's far to pricey for what it is (a funky, commercial and artificial bitter) and more importantly, it's not absinthe. Period.

The pioneer of absinths. It was the only thing I could get in the 90's. After so many years, I have opened the last bottle I left for decoration (a real vintage, believe me;)



Colour has faded, still artificial. There was no louche and there will never be no matter how much effort you put into louching it. It smell of very poor alcohol and mint bubble gum or something alike.



It is so nasty that I would not call it as having a taste. Everyone despite all myths and hyping should avoid it.



If I were able, I would rate louche, taste and finish at 0.

Color is a very non traditional deep blue.



Louche is completely missing. I drank Hill's brand in a bar in Canada, it was prepared using the the burning method and presented as a shot. The sugar grains can be seen floating at the bottom of the glass.



Aroma contains very little anis. It has a very strong alcohol smell.



The taste is that of a cheap vodka. Almost unbearable. It has a very alight anis flavor.



Overall I would not recommend this to anyone. Its only use is to get drunk quickly. If thats what you want the 70% alcohol will do the job well.