I'm sorry to say that this was the first "absinthe" I experienced. It almost turned me off to the art of absinthe altogether!

I'm glad I gave absinthe another chance with a Jade PF 1901.

The "king" was the most bitter concoction I've ever had the displeasure of experiencing.

I was completely ignorant to good absinthes when I was introduced this fluid, and was taken in by the hype, the marketing text, and at the time there were very few resources online for finding out more about these 'products'

The color was interesting; it doesn't appear to be artificial.

The louche looked good (at the time), and isn't horrible, but I've seen much finer louches since with other real absinthes.

The aroma is medicinal, with some hint of herbs and vegetation (mostly from the twigs and plant-matter at the bottom of the bottle)

The marketing text that states the "psychoactive" effects is enough to let you know this producer is ignorant (or hoping that you are...).

This "king of spirits" is to a good absinthe what the "King of Beers" (budwiser) is to a quality Draught, or Burger King is to a steak.

Avoid at all costs...

Having tried and enjoyed immensely four authentic absinthes and two U.S. available substitute absinthes (Pernod and Absente), which were also enjoyable, curiousity got the better of me. I purchased a bottle of the King of Spirits Gold. The color is an unpleasant yellowish-green or greenish-yellow with plant matter in the bottom of the bottle. The louche is non-existent. Aroma? There is barely a hint of licorice. Taste? This has to be the most vile tasting alcoholic concoction I have ever tasted. It tastes like turpentine. As for finish it leaves a taste reminiscent of gasoline. Overall? STAY AWAY!! When I think of the other absinthes I could have purchased with the $225.00 I WASTED on this...stuff. I'm going to stand in the corner for a few hours.