Sorcière Absinthe Verte - Reviewed by Experts and Consumers at The Wormwood Society
Product Details
Available in USA?
Style/Color
Degrees ABV (% alcohol)
Year of Make (if known)
Country of Origin
Distillery
Wormwood Society Editor Comments
Along the bottom of the back label, it is prominently written: DO NOT CONSUME OVER OPEN FLAME OR IGNITE. GOOD STUFF NEEDS NO SPECIAL EFFECTS.
Editor reviews
A few adjustments would make a world of difference
Overall rating
3.5
Appearance
4.0
Louche
5.0
Aroma
3.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.0
Finish
3.0
Overall
3.0
The absinthe is of a gold colour, with maybe just the barest hint of green. Bright and clear. There's a strong grape base aroma, with an after-dinner-mint wedged in there. A bit more like chewing gum than absinthe, but not awful like it sounds.
The louche is quick, thick, and deep. The green comes out with water into a very bright opalescence with hints of yellow in the middle and blue at the edges. The aroma has mellowed but it's now full of mint and chalky. Perhaps a bit rubbery too. Anise is there but doesn't stand out.
However anise comes through on the palate, but it's light and fluffy. The base is very noticeable but not dominating. There's a medicinal astringency underlying everything. Wormwood is there but barely noticeable and it lacks spiciness that could help tie it all together. Citrus notes appear and now it reminds me of Ricola cough drops.
The brandy comes through in full force in the finish, under an intense numbing of the tongue. It rounds out to a raisin-like presence before it's gone.
It's a nice attempt and it's enjoyable to drink but it really needs work to meet its potential. The ingredients seem good but the base is overwhelming (too much of a good thing) and the lack of a clear wormwood profile hurts it.
The louche is quick, thick, and deep. The green comes out with water into a very bright opalescence with hints of yellow in the middle and blue at the edges. The aroma has mellowed but it's now full of mint and chalky. Perhaps a bit rubbery too. Anise is there but doesn't stand out.
However anise comes through on the palate, but it's light and fluffy. The base is very noticeable but not dominating. There's a medicinal astringency underlying everything. Wormwood is there but barely noticeable and it lacks spiciness that could help tie it all together. Citrus notes appear and now it reminds me of Ricola cough drops.
The brandy comes through in full force in the finish, under an intense numbing of the tongue. It rounds out to a raisin-like presence before it's gone.
It's a nice attempt and it's enjoyable to drink but it really needs work to meet its potential. The ingredients seem good but the base is overwhelming (too much of a good thing) and the lack of a clear wormwood profile hurts it.
A
Quite good, but not without some minor flaws
(Updated: September 23, 2017)
Overall rating
3.2
Appearance
3.0
Louche
3.0
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.0
Finish
3.0
Overall
3.0
Updated review 9-23-17 with updated scores
Nice layering on the louche. Fully louched by 2:1 (although I’d still water up to about 3:1). A louche that’s neither too thin nor too thick, with hints of blue and yellow. There is a distinct brandy aroma with hints of fennel and a touch of anise. Flavor is refreshing and light, but the brandy seems to be more of the focus than the herbs. I wonder if it went through a second distillation after maceration? Angelica and Hyssop come through. And unlike the original batch, you can definitely pick out some wormwood. In the finish, the brandy is there, but the herbs assert themselves a bit more. Clean with hints of juicy fruit along with just a hint of tannic bitterness on the finish. The finish hits me the wrong way a bit. It's too bitter. It seems like they actually reduced their anise a bit (or maybe stopped/reduced the use of recycled tails). Bring that back and this would be quite enjoyable.
++++++++++++++++++
Original Review: 2009
Color: A bit light, but a nice color. Light olive with tinges of straw.
Louche: Nice layering. Fully louched by 2:1. A deep and thick louche with hints of blue and green.
Aroma: Distinct brandy aroma with hints of fennel and a touch of anise. I'd like to be able to pick out more wormwood, but it's still nice.
Flavor: Nice and light, but the brandy seems to be more of the focus than the herbs. I wonder if it went through a second distillation after maceration? Angelica and Hyssop come through, but again, not a lot of descernible wormwood. The brandy, while obviously of good quality (imparting some wood and old books to the flavor), takes control of the overall flavor profile. If it were toned down a bit, and the herbs were allowed to come to the forefront a bit more, I'd give it a 4.
Finish: The brandy is there, but the herbs assert themselves a bit more in the finish. Very clean and enjoyable with hints of holiday spices at the very end.
Overall: This is a nice drink. I quite like it. However, it does have its flaws. While the brandy tastes wonderful, it's a bit too assertive for my tastes. Also, I'd like to see a bit heavier of a hand for the coloration step to see a bit more green.
If they fixed those two issues, this would be a no-brainer to keep in stock in my bar.
Nice layering on the louche. Fully louched by 2:1 (although I’d still water up to about 3:1). A louche that’s neither too thin nor too thick, with hints of blue and yellow. There is a distinct brandy aroma with hints of fennel and a touch of anise. Flavor is refreshing and light, but the brandy seems to be more of the focus than the herbs. I wonder if it went through a second distillation after maceration? Angelica and Hyssop come through. And unlike the original batch, you can definitely pick out some wormwood. In the finish, the brandy is there, but the herbs assert themselves a bit more. Clean with hints of juicy fruit along with just a hint of tannic bitterness on the finish. The finish hits me the wrong way a bit. It's too bitter. It seems like they actually reduced their anise a bit (or maybe stopped/reduced the use of recycled tails). Bring that back and this would be quite enjoyable.
++++++++++++++++++
Original Review: 2009
Color: A bit light, but a nice color. Light olive with tinges of straw.
Louche: Nice layering. Fully louched by 2:1. A deep and thick louche with hints of blue and green.
Aroma: Distinct brandy aroma with hints of fennel and a touch of anise. I'd like to be able to pick out more wormwood, but it's still nice.
Flavor: Nice and light, but the brandy seems to be more of the focus than the herbs. I wonder if it went through a second distillation after maceration? Angelica and Hyssop come through, but again, not a lot of descernible wormwood. The brandy, while obviously of good quality (imparting some wood and old books to the flavor), takes control of the overall flavor profile. If it were toned down a bit, and the herbs were allowed to come to the forefront a bit more, I'd give it a 4.
Finish: The brandy is there, but the herbs assert themselves a bit more in the finish. Very clean and enjoyable with hints of holiday spices at the very end.
Overall: This is a nice drink. I quite like it. However, it does have its flaws. While the brandy tastes wonderful, it's a bit too assertive for my tastes. Also, I'd like to see a bit heavier of a hand for the coloration step to see a bit more green.
If they fixed those two issues, this would be a no-brainer to keep in stock in my bar.
User reviews
2 reviews
Overall rating
4.0
Appearance
3.8(2)
Louche
4.0(2)
Aroma
4.3(2)
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.8(2)
Finish
4.0(2)
Overall
4.0(2)
Sorcery in Green
Overall rating
3.9
Appearance
3.5
Louche
4.0
Aroma
4.5
Flavor / Mouthfeel
3.5
Finish
4.0
Overall
4.0
La Sorciere Verte is an interesting Absinthe-- its quality is excellent, very well-made, and overall, it's a pretty good drink. It's a little idiosyncratic though, and while the La Sorciere Bleue is my favorite blanche and one of my favorite absinthes, the verte is not one of my favorites. I still recommend it as a drink worth trying.
Appearance: quite good... a little bit hazy & a little bit yellowish (without aging) for me to give it higher marks, but it's solid.
Louche: Quite good. forms a nice, greenish deep louche, good translucency, nice highlights. Really nice.
Aroma: Wonderful. Out of the abinthes I've tried so far-- this is the one that stands out for the scents that arise on adding water.
Flavor/Mouthfeel: It's good. Not saying there's anything wrong... it's just not as good to me as the other absinthes in my collection. I'm pretty sure it's the grape base coming out that throws me off-- too much brandy shining through the absinthe herbs. I find that a little surprising-- because although the base is the same, the brandy flavor doesn't overpower in the La Sorciere Bleue the way it does in this Verte.
Finish: excellent. No flaws.
Overall: it's really well-made. If you like brandy-based absinthes, you'll probably love this.
Appearance: quite good... a little bit hazy & a little bit yellowish (without aging) for me to give it higher marks, but it's solid.
Louche: Quite good. forms a nice, greenish deep louche, good translucency, nice highlights. Really nice.
Aroma: Wonderful. Out of the abinthes I've tried so far-- this is the one that stands out for the scents that arise on adding water.
Flavor/Mouthfeel: It's good. Not saying there's anything wrong... it's just not as good to me as the other absinthes in my collection. I'm pretty sure it's the grape base coming out that throws me off-- too much brandy shining through the absinthe herbs. I find that a little surprising-- because although the base is the same, the brandy flavor doesn't overpower in the La Sorciere Bleue the way it does in this Verte.
Finish: excellent. No flaws.
Overall: it's really well-made. If you like brandy-based absinthes, you'll probably love this.
M
Different, but quality In Its Cognac-style base
(Updated: January 26, 2012)
Overall rating
4.0
Appearance
4.0
Louche
4.0
Aroma
4.0
Flavor / Mouthfeel
4.0
Finish
4.0
Overall
4.0
After almost 2 years of aging, I'm enjoying this absinthe quite a bit more. It may be because I've come to love the brandy base styles more over time, but this has really improved over time. I've raised the flavor and aroma to a 4, and modified the text accordingly.
The color was a deep golden yellow, clear and natural.
The louche had nice trails, clouds and layering. The final result is thick and a pleasing color.
The aroma announces the brandy base, with subdued anise and wormwood. A light herbal character is present. Hints of spiciness are there as well.
Flavor follows the aroma... brandy, backed by the traditional elements of absinthe. Not a typical absinthe to be certain, but still, quality in its design and execution.
Finish was well done, it was interesting and very different. There was a lingering cognac element, a bit more trad absinthe comes out here than in the flavor.
I'd say this is worth trying if you get the chance, just to see what a solid cognac style base absinthe can taste like. If you enjoy a strong round grape base, then you'll enjoy this. It has a richness and unique personality that someone clearly worked hard for.
The color was a deep golden yellow, clear and natural.
The louche had nice trails, clouds and layering. The final result is thick and a pleasing color.
The aroma announces the brandy base, with subdued anise and wormwood. A light herbal character is present. Hints of spiciness are there as well.
Flavor follows the aroma... brandy, backed by the traditional elements of absinthe. Not a typical absinthe to be certain, but still, quality in its design and execution.
Finish was well done, it was interesting and very different. There was a lingering cognac element, a bit more trad absinthe comes out here than in the flavor.
I'd say this is worth trying if you get the chance, just to see what a solid cognac style base absinthe can taste like. If you enjoy a strong round grape base, then you'll enjoy this. It has a richness and unique personality that someone clearly worked hard for.
S