Color before adding water is as perfect clear; the aroma prior to loucheing has a strong woody tone characteristic of wormwood. After adding the water the other fragrances come out but the wormwood still dominates the aroma. The flavor is more balanced than the aroma, having the anise fennel and wormwood work together in a magnificent symphony of deliciousness. There is a pleasant level of sweetness to the drink with the faintest notes of citrus.