Review Detail
4.5 24 0.5
Traditional Absinthe
My favorite of the Jades
(Updated: October 29, 2024)
Overall rating
4.7
Appearance
4.0
Louche
4.0
Aroma
5.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
5.0
Finish
5.0
Overall
5.0
From the bottle the PF 1901 pours a sharp, clear, light spring green. No discernable sediment or haze whatsoever. A slow icewater drip swirls into wonderfully thick oil trails, which appear almost suspended midstream until overtaken by the louche rising from below. The louche itself, while not spectacular, builds well -- pale green, with transients of blue and gold, as it fills the glass. The pre-dilution aroma is evocative of wet tree roots and beckons with earthy tarragon and marjoram, along with hints of allspice. After water the aroma relinquishes floral notes, and additional nuances of vanilla and dry mustard unfold. A 4:1 dilution, no sugar, yields a mellow and rich mouth, not too watery, and not tongue-numbing at all. The first sip is where it all comes to life for me, however, with the requisite sweet anise and fresh wormwood at the fore, smooth citrus filling in, and more of that dry herbal tarragon and marjoram emerging at the end. Just beautiful. The wormwood is deeply entrenched, and hangs on the tongue long after the glass is finished. Even so, one is left with no choice but to drip another immediately, so that one may continue the experience well past one's bedtime. This is by far my favorite of the Jades.
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