User reviews
3 reviews
Overall rating
3.6
Appearance
4.0(3)
Louche
4.0(3)
Aroma
3.7(3)
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.0(3)
Finish
3.7(3)
Overall
3.3(3)
3 results - showing 1 - 3
Ordering
Batch 14: A Work In Progress
(Updated: October 29, 2024)
Overall rating
2.9
Appearance
4.0
Louche
4.0
Aroma
3.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
2.0
Finish
3.0
Overall
2.0
I have to say I was somewhat disappointed with Leopold's absinthe. I had read a lot of good reviews about batch-by-batch improvements to the product, but as of #14, there was still a long way to go.
The color and louche are fine. The drink begins an attractive olive green and with the addition of water becomes a pleasing yellowish jade. The louche process yields all the expected "oil trails" and visual theatrics.
The flavor and aroma, however, are way out of balance. There is something overwhelmingly leafy or grassy in the scent and taste of this absinthe, which largely obscures whatever might be going on with the anise, wormwood, and so forth. Perhaps with time this will "air out" a bit, and if it does, I will update my review accordingly, but for now, I'm afraid I have to give the Leopold low marks.
The finish is acceptable, but the grassy quality lingers. Overall, I think this absinthe shows promise, but it's very much a work in progress.
The color and louche are fine. The drink begins an attractive olive green and with the addition of water becomes a pleasing yellowish jade. The louche process yields all the expected "oil trails" and visual theatrics.
The flavor and aroma, however, are way out of balance. There is something overwhelmingly leafy or grassy in the scent and taste of this absinthe, which largely obscures whatever might be going on with the anise, wormwood, and so forth. Perhaps with time this will "air out" a bit, and if it does, I will update my review accordingly, but for now, I'm afraid I have to give the Leopold low marks.
The finish is acceptable, but the grassy quality lingers. Overall, I think this absinthe shows promise, but it's very much a work in progress.
M
Un Leopold, garcon!
(Updated: October 29, 2024)
Overall rating
3.8
Appearance
4.0
Louche
4.0
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.0
Finish
4.0
Overall
4.0
Colour: Natural green with a yellow edge. Pleasant to look at, so no complaints. Upon addition of water it louches. Opalescence in its pure form. Neither too opaque nor too thin. Unlike the most of commercial brands, it has a beautiful green tinge, no chalkiness, no whitiness
Louche: Delicate, yet slightly hasty. At 1:1 leaves a nice unlouched layer on top, then gets muddy but in a positive sense.
aroma: Herbaceous with veronica and pontica notes, anise in the back. Something citrusy is apparent what I attribute to pisco. Still, inviting and not too overpowering.
Flavour: Robust, as a grain advocate, I must admit pisco lends the boldness that marries well with herbacousness/spiciness and mitigates the citrusy flavour-that is very prevalent when you take Leopold neat. Cannot decide on the perfect water ratio but it seems to be 1:2-1:3.5, otherwise the herbs got lost.
Finish: Wormwood is perceptible so is pontica, fennel gets very subdued, but anise is discrete enough. A glass offers a wide array of tastes, nuances.
Overall: Right direction. So far in the US Leopold rules the vertes' realm. However, some development is desired and welcomed.
Louche: Delicate, yet slightly hasty. At 1:1 leaves a nice unlouched layer on top, then gets muddy but in a positive sense.
aroma: Herbaceous with veronica and pontica notes, anise in the back. Something citrusy is apparent what I attribute to pisco. Still, inviting and not too overpowering.
Flavour: Robust, as a grain advocate, I must admit pisco lends the boldness that marries well with herbacousness/spiciness and mitigates the citrusy flavour-that is very prevalent when you take Leopold neat. Cannot decide on the perfect water ratio but it seems to be 1:2-1:3.5, otherwise the herbs got lost.
Finish: Wormwood is perceptible so is pontica, fennel gets very subdued, but anise is discrete enough. A glass offers a wide array of tastes, nuances.
Overall: Right direction. So far in the US Leopold rules the vertes' realm. However, some development is desired and welcomed.
A
Pass the Pisco, Please!
(Updated: October 29, 2024)
Overall rating
4.0
Appearance
4.0
Louche
4.0
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
4.0
Finish
4.0
Overall
4.0
This absinthe has come a long way since batch #4, particularly regarding the color, which is now a nice shade of peridot, although it could be a bit more vibrant.
The nose is still a bit dominated by the Pisco base, and this carries through into the flavor, but I happen to really to enjoy the buttered rum ester that it imparts into the absinthe, and I find that it really works well with the herbs. Those herbs seem to be of very good quality, although the wormwood is not of the standout variety, like the Pontarlier, or the Piedemont used in L'Italienne.
The louche is very nice, thick,and gradual although there isn't the volcanic snow-globe action seen in the best of them. The mouthfeel is very creamy, and substantial, however, and the flavor, and finish are hearty, and put me in mind of rum toddies. This is my definitive winter absinthe, except perhaps for my favorite Berger clone.
Todd plans to do a little further rectification of the base once the present barrels are depleted, and I really look forward to tasting whether that allows the herbage to shine through a bit more in future batches.
Kudos to him for being so receptive to suggestions given to him on the forums, and I wish more distillers, who are relatively unfamiliar with the creation of absinthe, would follow his lead.
The nose is still a bit dominated by the Pisco base, and this carries through into the flavor, but I happen to really to enjoy the buttered rum ester that it imparts into the absinthe, and I find that it really works well with the herbs. Those herbs seem to be of very good quality, although the wormwood is not of the standout variety, like the Pontarlier, or the Piedemont used in L'Italienne.
The louche is very nice, thick,and gradual although there isn't the volcanic snow-globe action seen in the best of them. The mouthfeel is very creamy, and substantial, however, and the flavor, and finish are hearty, and put me in mind of rum toddies. This is my definitive winter absinthe, except perhaps for my favorite Berger clone.
Todd plans to do a little further rectification of the base once the present barrels are depleted, and I really look forward to tasting whether that allows the herbage to shine through a bit more in future batches.
Kudos to him for being so receptive to suggestions given to him on the forums, and I wish more distillers, who are relatively unfamiliar with the creation of absinthe, would follow his lead.
A
3 results - showing 1 - 3